Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

Context

The Government of India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has replaced the 1983 Cinematograph (Certification) Rules with the new Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.

Key Points

• The Indian film industry is an enormously huge community that reflects a diversity of ethnos and languages, producing films across the country, each being made in a language of the particular region.
• He believes that the rapidly growing Indian film industry will tilt towards the production of content due to the fact of its distinctive cultural background and multitude of historical settings. The Indian movies became almost a symbol of the Indian soft power, which is used to advise the world culture and norms.
• As of late, the Cinematograph Act was amended, while the certification norms are brought up to date in order to help the movie industry, push for transparency, ease the business and protect the rights of artists and artisans.

Details on Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024

• Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, significant changes to film certification process in India were introduced in March.
• The set of rules that the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has introduced do aim to improve quality and notions of efficiency, transparency, and inclusivity in the film certification process, and the new rules introduced are a clear departure from the older rules that were set in 1983.
• Such changes have been part of the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act of 2023 which is a very big recharge toward the regulation of films in India.

Key features of the Draft Certification Rules include

• Age-Based Classification: The certification categories U, A, and S are retained, but additional age-based labels are introduced within the UA category. Films will now be categorised as ‘UA 7+’, ‘UA 13+’, and ‘UA 16+’, providing clearer guidance for parental supervision.
• Online Certification Process: The certification application process is shifted to the e-cinepramaan portal. This digitization aims to minimise human intervention and potential corruption, thereby enhancing the efficiency and transparency of the certification process.
• Perpetual Validity of Certifications: Film certifications will now be valid perpetually, eliminating the need for recertification every 10 years, significantly reducing bureaucratic hurdles for filmmakers.
• Female Representation on CBFC: The rules ensure better female representation on the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), with at least one-third of the members required to be women.
• Accessibility Standards: Draft rules for Accessibility Standards in the Public Exhibition of Feature Films in Cinema Theatres for Persons with Hearing and Visual Impairment have been issued, emphasising inclusivity in cinema.

Significance

• The new rules intend to make the filling out of the applications more convenient with the move to online portals as well as they are meant to reduce the possibility of errors and corruption caused by human involvement.
• UA age based marks simplify the consumption of content for parents. While permanent film certifications are reanalyzed by the Film Commission.
• Presenting more female representation in the certificating board of course will ensure diversity, and inclusion in the proposed accessibility standards shows a serious attitude towards inclusivity.
• Moreover, these evolutions are the embodiment of social changes and innovative jumps inside the Indian cinema creating new narratives and higher levels of creativity.

Conclusion

The Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, represent a major step forward for the Indian film industry, introducing significant changes aimed at modernization and inclusivity. These changes reflect a commitment to transparency, efficiency, and societal responsiveness, likely leading to a more dynamic and globally competitive Indian cinema. 

Source: The Hindu

UPSC Mains Practice Question

Q.Analyse the impact of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, on the Indian film industry, considering aspects such as freedom of expression, regulation, gender representation, and technological integration. Discuss the balance between artistic creativity and social responsibility, in light of these new rules.

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