‘Cut list’ on CBFC website remains inaccessible for days
CBFC placed the film “cut list” section on its website under “maintenance”, blocking public verification for several days.
- CBFC certifies films for public exhibition and can require changes for censorship compliance.
- A film cut list is the record of specific edits ordered under film certification.
- CBFC e-Cinepramaan provides cut-list access via a QR code on a certificate.
- Placing the cut-list portion under “maintenance” blocks public online viewing of cut-list details.
What happened: CBFC “cut list” access kept under “maintenance”
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) kept public access to film cut lists and other legally required information inaccessible for several days by placing the CBFC website section that shows the cut list under “maintenance”. This action limited viewers’ and stakeholders’ ability to verify the specific cuts ordered for films in theatres or scheduled to release.
Why cut lists matter for governance of expression
UPSC can frame CBFC cut-list access as a governance test: when a regulator requires censorship cuts, public verification records must remain accessible when stakeholders need them. The focus can be on whether online “maintenance” undermines transparency and public accountability.
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