The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India, that regulates the public exhibition of films in India.

The primary objective of the CBFC is to protect minors from exposure to harmful content in films, such as violence, obscenity, and drug abuse.

The CBFC prohibits the exhibition of films that contain scenes of violence, nudity, or drug abuse, among other harmful content.

The CBFC has a panel of experts who review films and make recommendations on whether they should be certified for public exhibition or not.

The CBFC issues four categories of certification: U (unrestricted public exhibition), A (restricted to adults), U/A (unrestricted public exhibition with parental guidance for children below 12 years), and S (restricted to specialized audiences such as doctors or scientists).

The U/A certification indicates that the film is suitable for unrestricted public exhibition, but children below 12 years should watch it with parental guidance.

Exhibiting a film without proper certification from the CBFC is a punishable offense under the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and can result in both a fine and imprisonment.

Parents play a crucial role in protecting their children from harmful content in films by previewing films, discussing the content with their children, and setting limits on screen time.

The CBFC faces several challenges in regulating films, including the increasing number of films being produced, the changing nature of film content, and the pressure from filmmakers to avoid censorship.

The CBFC can be more effective in protecting minors from harmful content in films by increasing the number of experts on its panel, working closely with parents and educators, and using technology to monitor and regulate online content.