The government launched its first major refresh of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in almost 10 years on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Organized by the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, there are New CBFC Panel Members Appointed across cinema and academia to form an 18 member panel with a three year tenure.

Headed by former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati, who became CBFC Chairperson in May 2026, the new board takes over for the temporary team that had been running things since August 2017. This change helps the board clear out delayed movie reviews and bring in new age based rating rules.

Overview of CBFC Reconstitution

New Censor Board Update: Ministry Expands CBFC Panel to 18 Members

Using powers from Section 3(1) of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, and Rule 3 of the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an official gazette notice. The fresh order increases the board’s active members from 10 temporary representatives up to 18, which fulfills the legal requirement of having between 12 and 25 members.

The previous board was chosen in August 2017 under former chairperson Prasoon Joshi. Even though its three year term ended in August 2020, members kept working under temporary rules while several seats became vacant over time. According to official records on the Press Information Bureau (PIB), these new appointments bring the official body back to full working strength. Reporting by Hindustan Times confirms that the incoming members will serve three year terms under the New CBFC Panel Members Appointed order.

Complete List: Meet the 18 Cultural Figures and Industry Veterans on the New Board

The reconstituted 18 member board brings together Hindi film actors, regional cinema figures, musicians, and writers under the New CBFC Panel Members Appointed notification. The full panel includes:

• Mainstream & Regional Performers: Joining the board are actor producer Preity Zinta, National Award winner Pankaj Tripathi, action star Suniel Shetty, Bengali film icon Prosenjit Chatterjee, National Award winning actor and producer Pallavi Joshi, character actor Manoj Joshi, and television star Roopali Ganguly.
• Filmmakers & Producers: This group features experienced director Priyadarshan, National Award recipient Neela Madhab Panda (I Am Kalam), Gujarati director Abhishek Jain, and Telugu producer Supriya Yarlagadda representing Annapurna Studios.
• Music, Literature & Academia: The panel includes three time Grammy winning music composer Ricky Kej, Sufi vocalist and former MP Hans Raj Hans, music scholar Yatindra Mishra, movie critic Vinod Anupam, and Marathi actor and academic Dr. Nishigandha Wad.
• Retained Board Members: Theatre director Waman Kendre and writer Ramesh Patange are the sole members who have been carried over from the older 2017 board.

As reported by The Indian Express, having a Preity Zinta censor board member alongside an actor like Pankaj Tripathi gives the panel working industry experience during film reviews. Coverage in Cinema Express notes that adding a Pankaj Tripathi CBFC member helps connect mainstream cinema with independent storytelling perspectives.

Shashi Shekhar Vempati’s Agenda: Ending Six-Year Hiatus and Clearing Certification Backlogs

This New CBFC Panel Members Appointed is part of the government’s ongoing administrative updates this year. In May 2026, former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati took charge as CBFC Chairperson. With Vempati at the helm, the board gathered in Mumbai on August 29, 2026, for its 149th meeting—successfully finishing a six-year drought of full board sessions.

Vempati is working to shorten certification review times through the updated e-Cinepramaan digital system, bringing average processing times down to 18 working days. The board is also applying new age based classification tiers, UA 7+, UA 13+, and UA 16+, introduced under the Cinematograph (Certification) Rules, 2024. Reporting in The Tribune points out that having Shashi Shekhar Vempati chairperson leading an active board gives the agency the capacity to review national and regional releases without long delays, supported by the New CBFC Panel Members Appointed roster.

Censorship vs. Classification: How the New Panel Navigates Modern Film Industry Friction

The new panel takes over amid ongoing conversations between directors and regulatory bodies over scene cuts and ratings. While the legal mandate of the CBFC focuses on certifying films for public viewing, disagreements often surface during reviews of political subjects, social history, or sensitive dialogue.

Recent cases involving delayed certifications for films like Satluj (Punjab ’95) and Jana Nayagan highlighted the operational strain caused by a depleted board. Industry voices covered in the Free Press Journal expressed hope that a complete 18 member panel of active filmmakers and actors will lean toward transparent age ratings over extensive film cuts, as reflected in the New CBFC Panel Members Appointed list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the new members appointed to the Central Board of Film Certification in 2026?

The 18 members CBFC panel includes actors like Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, and Suniel Shetty, filmmakers such as Priyadarshan, musician Ricky Kej, singer Hans Raj Hans, several scholars and producers, and two returning members from the 2017 board.

Why was the CBFC board reconstituted after nine years?

The previous board’s term ended in 2020, leaving many seats empty. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting appointed a full 18 members panel to follow the Cinematograph Act and manage the heavy workload of reviewing films.

Who is the current Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification?

Former Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati serves as CBFC Chairperson, following his appointment in May 2026.

What is the tenure duration for the newly appointed CBFC board members?

Board members are appointed for a three year term or until further government orders under Section 3 of the Cinematograph Act, 1952, following the New CBFC Panel Members Appointed announcement.

References

1. Press Information Bureau (PIB): Government Reconstitutes Central Board of Film Certification with 18 Members
2. Hindustan Times: Meet the 18 Members of the Newly Formed CBFC: Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Others
3. The Indian Express: Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi Among Members as Centre Reconstitutes Film Board
4. The Tribune: Centre Reconstitutes Censor Board; Hans Raj Hans, Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty Among Members
5. Cinema Express: CBFC Reshuffle: Pankaj Tripathi, Preity Zinta, Suniel Shetty Among New Members
6. Free Press Journal: CBFC Gets New Board: Preity Zinta, Pankaj Tripathi, Suniel Shetty, Ricky Kej and Priyadarshan Among 18 Appointed

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