A simple Google search led me to the Guidelines of Central Board of Film Certification.
The article states:
The Cinematograph Act lays down that a film shall not be certified if
any part of it is against the interest of the sovereignty and
integrity of India, the security of the State, friendly relations with
foreign States, public order, decency or involves defamation or
contempt of court or is likely to incite commission of any offence.
Under section 5B(2) the Central Government has issued the following
guidelines.
A film is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its overall
impact and is examined in the light of the period depicted in the film
and the contemporary standards of the country and the people to whom
the film relates, provided that the film does not deprave the morality
of the audience. Guidelines are applied to the titles of the films
also.
Objectives of Film Certification i) the medium of film remains responsible and sensitive to the values and standards of
society; ii) artistic expression and creative freedom are not unduly
curbed; iii) certification is responsible to social changes; iv) the
medium of film provides clean and healthy entertainment; and v) as
far as possible, the film is of aesthetic value and cinematically of a
good standard.
In pursuance of the above objectives, the CBFC shall ensure that i) anti social activities such as violence are not
glorified or justified ii) the modus operandi of criminals, other
visuals or words likely to incite the commission of any offence are
not depicted; iii) scenes - a. showing involvement of children in
violence as victims or perpetrators or as forced witnesses to
violence, or showing children as being subjected to any form of child
abuse. b. showing abuse or ridicule of physically and mentally
handicapped persons; and c. showing cruelty to, or abuse of animals,
are not presented needlessly iv) pointless or avoidable scenes of
violence, cruelty and horror, scenes of violence primarily intended to
provide entertainment and such scenes as may have the effect of
de-sensitising or de-humanising people are not shown; v) scenes
which have the effect of justifying or glorifying drinking are not
shown; vi) scenes tending to encourage, justify or glamorise drug
addiction are not shown; a. scenes tending to encourage, justify or
glamorise consumption of tobacco or smoking are not shown; vii)
human sensibilities are not offended by vulgarity, obscenity or
depravity; viii) such dual meaning words as obviously cater to baser
instincts are not allowed; ix) scenes degrading or denigrating
women in any manner are not presented; x) scenes involving sexual
violence against women like attempt to rape, rape or any form of
molestation or scenes of a similar nature are avoided, and if any such
incidence is germane to the theme, they shall be reduced to the
minimum and no details are shown xi) scenes showing sexual
perversions shall be avoided and if such matters are germane to the
theme they shall be reduced to the minimum and no details are shown
xii) visuals or words contemptuous of racial, religious or other
groups are not presented xiii) visuals or words which promote
communal, obscurantist, anti-scientific and anti-national attitude are
not presented xiv) the sovereignty and integrity of India is not
called in question; xv) the security of the State is not
jeopardized or endangered xvi) friendly relations with foreign
States are not strained; xvii) public order is not endangered xviii)
visuals or words involving defamation of an individual or a body of
individuals, or contempt of court are not presented EXPLANATION:
Scenes that tend to create scorn, disgrace or disregard of rules or
undermine the dignity of court will come under the term ''Contempt of
Court'' : and xix) national symbols and emblems are not shown
except in accordance with the provisions of the Emblems and Names
(Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 (12 of 1950)
The Board of Film Certification shall also ensure that the film i) Is judged in its entirety from the point of view of its
overall impact; and ii) Is examined in the light of the period
depicted in the films and the contemporary standards of the country
and the people to which the film relates provided that the film does
not deprave the morality of the audience.
Films that meet the above – mentioned criteria but are considered unsuitable for exhibition to non-adults shall be certified
for exhibition to adult audiences only.
i) While certifying films for unrestricted public exhibition, the Board shall ensure that the film is suitable for
family viewing, that is to say, the film shall be such that all the
members of the family including children can view it together. ii)
If the Board, having regard to the nature, content and theme of the
film is of the opinion that it is necessary to caution the parents /
guardian to consider as to whether any child below the age of twelve
years maybe allowed to see such a film, the film shall be certified
for unrestricted public exhibition with an endorsement to that effect.
iii) If the Board having regard to the nature, content and theme of
the film, is of the opinion that the exhibition of the film should be
restricted to members of any profession or any class of persons, the
film shall be certified for public exhibition restricted to the
specialized audiences to be specified by the Board in this behalf.
The Board shall scrutinize the titles of the films carefully and ensure that they are not provocative, vulgar, offensive or violative
of any of the above-mentioned guidelines.