An Overview of RNI Registration in India

If you're passionate about starting a newspaper, magazine, or periodical in India, you'll need to obtain the Registrar of Newspapers for India certificate (RNI registration certificate), which is now referred to as the Press Registrar General of India certificate or PRGI registration certificate.

Setting up a newspaper, journal, periodical, magazine, or other publication business in India requires mandatory approval from the Registrar of Newspaper of India. As the publishing industry is considered among the rapidly growing industries, it ensures mandatory RNI online registration of all daily, weekly, and monthly newspapers/ magazines/ journals with the Registrar of Newspaper for India.

PRGI registration is one of the crucial processes used for establishing a newspaper or periodical publication at regular intervals containing public news or comments on public news. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the sole regulatory authority of the office of Press Registrar General of India, framed diverse rules and regulations for governing the registration of periodicals and registered periodicals. Book an appointment with us at Fastzeal for expert assistance in getting an RNI certificate with ease.

Why was the Registrar of Newspaper for India Replaced?

The Registrar of Newspaper for India (RNI), a government body operating under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, was replaced with the Press Registrar General of India after the implementation of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023. The Act of 2023 was passed to replace the Press & Registration of Books Act, 1867, which governed the registration of the print and publishing industry since 1867.

The act of 1867 was replaced with the intention to remove the unnecessary hardships, delays, and high dependency faced during publishing and running a newspaper. Furthermore, the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 is designed with the simplified procedure required for title verification and registration of the newspaper except book and journal (including a book or journal or scientific, technical and academic nature).

Benefits of Getting RNI Registration Certificate

Some of the benefits associated with the RNI online registration and getting the RNI registration certificate for publication of journals, newspapers, etc., are as discussed below:

1. Ease of Access & Doing Business

The RNI registration secures a simplified procedure (free from obstacles) for title verification and registration, which facilitates ease of access to resources and newspaper/ printed publication business in India.

2. Transparency and Time-Bound Processing

The registration of newspapers and periodicals under the new Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, has enhanced transparency and time-bound processing due to the excessive involvement of technology and automated
processing systems.

3. Strengthens Foreign Publication

The new Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 established clarified procedures for making foreign publications, circulation, verification of newspapers, ownership transfer, and others.

4. Protection of the Title

The RNI online registration/ PRGI online registration ensures the protection of the title and ownership of the publishing company/ publishers engaged in the business of newspaper and magazine publication.

5. Protection Against Third-Party Claim

The registration of newspapers and periodicals under the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, ensures the protection of registered publishers against any false/ erroneous claims made by third parties.

6. Copyright Protection

RNI registration also ensures protection against any copyright infringement of your publication business's information and logo.

Requirements for RNI Title Registration

There are some basic requirements that need to be mandatorily considered before applying for RNI title registration in India, as discussed below:

Basic Checklist for RNI Registration Online

1. Imprint containing details of publisher, printer, editor, or owner

2. Address of the publication place

3. Address of the printing press

4. Issue number and Volume number

5. Remarkable display of RNI title on the cover and other page

6. Date-mark and the Page number

Publishers Who Require PRGI Certificate in India

The below-mentioned publishers are required to secure a PRGI Certificate or RNI Certificate in India:

1. Indian Business Newspaper

2. News Editorials

3. Foreign Newspaper Companies

4. Any Form of Magazine

Documents Required for RNI Online Registration

The documents required for RNI online registration / PRGI registration on the Press Sewa Portal are as mentioned below:

1. Title Verification Letter

2. Validated Declaration (Form 1)

3. Bank Account Statements for 2 months

4. Written Printer Agreement (between owner of periodical & keeper of the printing press)

5. Duly Notarized Affidavit

6. Copy of the first issue of the newspaper (i.e., Volume 1, Issue 1)

7. Authorization in writing

8. COI, MOA, and AOA of the Company

9. Copy of the PAN Card and other details of Partners (for partnerships)

10. Copy of Board Resolution (for companies)

11. ID proof of Directors/ Partners/ Proprietors

Procedure for Online RNI Registration in India

Every publisher of a periodical / newspaper is required to comply with the new procedure of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, for getting their periodical registered. The procedure for online RNI registration in India through the Press Sewa Portal is as described below:

1. Application for Registration of Application

The publishers registering themselves on the Press Sewa Portal are required to make necessary submission of the documents and application containing title for the periodical to the concerned authority within whose local jurisdiction such periodical is proposed to be published.

2. Unique Application Reference Number

The Press Sewa Portal generates an acknowledgement along with a unique 10-digit application reference number (ARN) required for further use by the publisher and Press Registrar General of India.

3. Online Payment of Fees

Every publisher is mandatorily required to remit online registration payments of fees of Rs. 1000 through the Bharatkosh digital payment system integrated with the Press Sewa Portal.

4. Issuance of No-Objection or Comments

Within 60 days from the online payment of fees, the specified authority (i.e., District Magistrate) is expected to furnish either a no-objection or comments on the application submitted to the Press Registrar General.

5. Issuance of PRGI Registration Certificate

The PRGI registration certificate (Earlier RNI registration certificate) containing particulars of periodicity, language, place of publication, details of the owner, and the title of the owner shall be issued upon due satisfaction of the Registrar General of India.

Responsibilities After Registration of Periodicals

Given below are the significant responsibilities after registration of periodicals:

Responsibilities of RNI/ PRGI

1. Transfer of Ownership of Periodical
The owner of the periodical is authorized to transfer the ownership of that periodical to any other person or entity through an application to the Press Registrar General on the Press Sewa Portal.

2. Intimation of Discontinuation
Within 6 months of discontinuation of the publication, the owner of a periodical is required to send an intimation of such discontinuation to the Press Registrar General of India.

3. Delivery of Periodicals
Within 48 hours of publication of the periodical or newspaper, the publisher is required to upload the newspaper electronically, periodicals upon the Press Sewa Portal.

4. Verification of Circulation Figure
The Press Registrar General of India is mandatorily required to verify the circulation figures of periodicals and daily newspapers.

5. Furnish Annual Statement
One of the mandatory compliances is related to the furnishing of annual statements (by the 31st of May of a calendar year) through the Press Sewa Portal.

6. Publication of Annual Return
The Press Registrar General of India shall prepare and publish an annual report containing information concerning periodicals registered on the Press Sewa Portal.

7. Penalty for Non-Compliance
The Press Registrar General of India is authorized to impose a penalty if the publisher publishes a periodical without obtaining a certificate of registration under section 7 or fails to furnish an annual statement under section 12 of the Act.

Responsibilities of Central Government

1. Central Government to Issue Directions
The central government is authorized with the power to issue directions on matters of policy to the Press Registrar General.

2. Power to Make Rules
The central government is authorized to make necessary rules on the matters concerning manner & particulars for furnishing an intimation, manner of registration of facsimile edition, manner of verification of circulation figure of class of periodicals, etc.

3. Power to Remove Difficulties
The central government through an order published in the Official Gazette, may make provisions for removing difficulties that are inconsistent with the provisions of the Act of 2023.

Acts Regulating PRGI Registration in India

The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act came into force on 1 March, 2024. Have a look at the acts governing PRGI Registration:

1. Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023.

2. Press and Registration of Periodicals Rules, 2024.

3. The Press Council Act, 1978.

4. The Copyright Act, 1957.

5. Information Technology Act, 2000 (for online publications).

6. The Newspaper (Price and Page) Act, 1956.

7. Content Guidelines by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Functions of Press Registrar General of India (Earlier RNI)

The duties and functions of the Press Registrar General of India (Earlier RNI) as prescribed under Section 5 and 6 of the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 are as discussed below:

For Registration of Periodicals

1. Issue a certificate of registration to a periodical

2. Maintain a register of registered periodicals

3.Formulate guidelines for admissibility and availability of title for periodical

4. Collect fees for application received under this Act

5. Receive and disburse funds received from Central Government

6. Prepare and publish annual reports containing information of periodicals

7. Any other information as assigned by Central Government

Other Functions

1. Obtain annual statement of periodical

2. Verify circulation figure of classes of periodicals

3. Revise, suspend, or cancel registration of periodical

4. Requisition services of an authorized person for undertaking verification of circulation figure of a periodical

5. Call for records, documents and other information for printing press or periodical

6. Call for information from a State Government or Union Territory administration

7. Authority to impose penalty

What Mandatory Information is Required to be Included in Newspaper?

The entities looking to get registered with the RNI are mandatorily required to include the following information before publishing a newspaper:

1. Title (name) of the newspaper

2. Date and number of issuing newspaper

3. Volume and edition

4. Name and address of the publisher, editor, and printer

5. Place of publication

6. RNI registration number (on front page)

7. Language and periodicity

8. Masthead information

9. Copyright information

10. Cost of issue or subscription rate

11. Date of next issue

12. Legally required public notices/ announcements (if any)

13. Disclaimer regarding the accuracy of the information

14. Barcode/ QR code (optional)

Reasons to Trust FastZeal for PRGI/RNI Registration Certificate

1. Consulting for Getting RNI Certificate

We offer professional consulting services to ensure easy, quick, and pocket-friendly RNI/PRGI registration and obtain an RNI certificate.

2. 1+ Decade of Expertise

Our network of professionals holds a solid experience of more than one decade in the news and media segment.

3. Assistance in Documentation

We extend cost-effective help to meet the documentation needs for the RNI title registration.

4. Evaluation & Audit

We offer expert support for securing the timely evaluation and audit of compliance with the RNI guidelines.

5. Transparency and Authenticity

We dedicate our services to promoting transparency and authenticity by building a readership of publications.

6. Smooth Entry in the Media Sector

We guide the smooth entry of your local newspaper without bureaucratic delays in the digital/media sector.

7. Tech-Driven Solutions

We provide tech-driven solutions to align with the regulations dealing with PRGI/RNI registration certificate.

8. Post-Registration Compliances

Our dedicated team of experts helps your RNI-registered business stay compliant with post-registration requirements.

9. Expedited Registration Process

On average, our Fastzeal team assists in the timely completion of the RNI online registration process.

10. Strong Ties with Government Bodies

We maintain smooth and consistent communication with government agencies to streamline your RNI registration online.

11. 24/7 Client Assistance

Leave your worry about online RNI registration in India to our experts, as we guarantee 24/7 client support.