- Why in news
- On 18 March 2026, the Government told the Lok Sabha that Telegram was notified on 11.03.2026 to disable 3,142 piracy channels, and about 800 websites were blocked under the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023.
- What it is
- The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 amended the Cinematograph Act, 1952. It added Sections 6AA and 6AB against unauthorised recording and transmission of films, and changed the certification rules. It also set penalties for piracy and let the Government notify intermediaries hosting pirated content.
- Banned acts
- Sections 6AA and 6AB prohibit unauthorised recording and unauthorised transmission of films.
- Penalty
- Minimum 3 months jail and Rs 3 lakh fine, extendable to 3 years jail and fine up to 5% of audited gross production cost.
- Notifying intermediaries
- Section 7(1B)(ii) lets the Government notify intermediaries hosting pirated content under Section 79(3) of the IT Act, 2000.
- Complaint mechanism
- Nodal Officers of the I&B Ministry receive complaints in a prescribed format, issued by Public Notice dated 03.11.2023.
- Parent Act
- The amended law is the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
- Nature of CBFC
- CBFC is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting that certifies films for public exhibition.
- Grounds for cuts
- Cuts or modifications are recommended only on statutory grounds such as sovereignty and integrity, security, public order, decency, morality, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to offence.
- Films certified
- CBFC certified 71,963 films from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
- Appeal
- The Act provides for an appeal against the Board's order before the High Court.
- 2023 amendment
- The Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023 added Sections 6AA and 6AB against unauthorised recording and transmission of films and set penalties for piracy.
Don’t confuse with Section 79 vs Section 69A of IT Act: Section 79(3)(b) covers takedown notices to intermediaries who lose safe harbour; Section 69A lets the Government block public access on specified grounds such as sovereignty and public order.
Don’t confuse with Cinematograph Act vs Copyright Act: The Cinematograph Act deals with film certification and now recording/transmission piracy; the Copyright Act, 1957 governs copyright infringement generally.
Don’t confuse with Statutory vs constitutional body: CBFC is created by an Act of Parliament. It has no constitutional status, unlike the Election Commission.
Laws, judgments and statutory bodies: 30 Prelims questions since 2013 (what the law says, who chairs, legal basis). In Mains, 44 news-triggered questions, most in GS2, asking for provisions and challenges.
Why it matters
- Gives film piracy a specific criminal penalty and a government takedown route, protecting creators' revenue.
- Gives a legal, rule-based process for film certification.
- Balances creative freedom with limits on speech under Article 19(2).
Problems
- Blocked channels and sites can reappear under new names, so enforcement is repetitive.
- Takedown powers on intermediaries raise concerns about over-blocking and free speech.
- Critics see certification and cuts as censorship that curbs free expression.
- Appeals to High Courts add delay and cost for filmmakers.
Way forward
- Add transparent review and appeal for takedown notices.
- Use technology such as watermarking, and cooperation with platforms, to trace and stop leaks early.
- Keep cuts tied to clear statutory grounds and publish reasons.
- Strengthen transparency and time-bound disposal of certification and appeals.
Put in your answer
CBFC certification volume: 71,963 films were certified in five years from 2020-21 to 2024-25.
Court appeal route: Appeal against a CBFC order lies before the High Court under the Act.
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UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statement I and II
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements regarding the Cinematograph (Amendment) Act, 2023:
- Statement-I: Under the Cinematograph Act, as amended in 2023, a person who contravenes the ban on unauthorised recording or transmission of films can be punished with imprisonment of up to 3 years and a fine of up to 5% of the audited gross production cost.
- Statement-II: The Act lets the Government notify intermediaries hosting pirated content under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Sections 6AA and 6AB of the Cinematograph Act prohibit unauthorised recording and unauthorised transmission of films.
True. 6AA and 6AB cover unauthorised recording and transmission.
2.The maximum fine for film piracy under the Act is Rs 3 lakh, irrespective of production cost.
False. Fine can extend up to 5% of audited gross production cost; Rs 3 lakh is the minimum.
3.The Act provides imprisonment for piracy of up to 3 years.
True. Minimum 3 months, maximum 3 years.
4.Notification of intermediaries hosting pirated content is done under Section 79(3) of the Information Technology Act, 2000.
True. Section 79(3) of the IT Act is used.
5.Complaints about pirated films can be made only by the original copyright holders.
False. Copyright holders, persons authorised by them, or any other individual may complain.
6.The Cinematograph Act that the 2023 Amendment modifies was enacted in 1952.
True. The parent law is the Cinematograph Act, 1952.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.