Government Reconstitutes Central Board of Film Certification with 18 Members
The Government of India has reconstituted the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) by appointing 18 new members. This decision was made under the Cinematograph Act, 1952. The new board includes prominent figures such as Suniel Shetty, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Rupali Ganguly. The reconstitution is effective immediately and will remain in place for three years or until further notice.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an official notification on September 16, 2026, announcing the reconstitution of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC). The government took this step in accordance with the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024.
The newly reconstituted board comprises 18 members. These individuals have been selected from various sectors of the film and arts industry to contribute their expertise to the board's operations.
The list of members includes Vinod Anupam, Manoj Joshi, Abhishek Jain, Ricky Kej, Priyadarshan, Suniel Shetty, Hans Raj Hans, Supriya Yarlagadda, Yatindra Mishra, Rupali Ganguly, Preity Zinta, Nila Madhab Panda, Pankaj Tripathi, Prosenjit Chatterjee, Pallavi Joshi, Nishigandha Wad, Waman Kendre, and Ramesh Patange.
These appointments have come into effect immediately. According to the government order, the board will serve a term of three years. However, this term is subject to any further orders that may be issued by the government.
The primary function of the CBFC is to certify films for public exhibition. This reconstitution aims to make the certification process more streamlined and effective.
As per the ministry's notification, all members are authorized to carry out the responsibilities associated with the board. This administrative change is considered a significant development for the film industry.
The board members bring expertise from their respective fields, which is expected to add diversity and experience to the certification process. Through this reconstitution, the government intends to enhance the board's overall functionality.