RNI, which stands for Registrar of Newspapers of India, is crucial for anyone wanting to establish a newspaper, magazine, or journal business in India due to mandatory RNI registration. This growing industry falls under the jurisdiction of the Press and Books Registration Act of 1867. RNI operates under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, regulating and governing these publications. Prior RNI approval is a prerequisite for commencing businesses in this field. Regional RNI offices are located in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai, with the Ministry framing rules under the Press and Registration of Books Act, of 1867. Hence, anyone planning to initiate a newspaper, magazine, or journal enterprise needs to obtain advance authorization from RNI. RNI's regional branches are situated in Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Overview for RNI Registration
RNI Registration in India
To start a newspaper/ journal/ printing press publication, the applicant shall be required to acquire an RNI registration from the Registrar of the Newspapers. The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Controls is the respective authority authorized for approval & monitoring of the journalists & publishers under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. Other than these, here are some key objectives of the RNI Registration:
Ensuring compliance & administration of a Newspaper Registrar.
Verification of circulation assertions provided by publishers within their annual reports.
Confirmation of circulation declarations provided by publishers within their yearly reports.
Consideration & issuing registration with respect to newspapers issued with a valid declaration.
Informing District Magistrates regarding the availability of potential publishers to submit declarations.
Inspection & audit of yearly reports submitted by registered holders under the Press and Registration of Books Act, of 1867.
Ensuring the production of journals/publications in pursuance of guidelines under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, and the corresponding regulations.
Who Can Apply RNI Registration?
Any Indian or Foreign entity desiring to start a newspaper/journal publication/ printing press including any form of editorials and magazine publication compulsorily needs to obtain RNI registration. Other than this, the following are needed to obtain RNI Certificates:
Business Entity: Any corporation or entity intending to engage in the newspaper business in India must obtain RNI Registration which also applies to regional newspapers.
Editorials: Any type of editorial content even within a newspaper's editorial section, needs to be covered by RNI Registration.
Foreign Newspaper: Any foreign newspaper corporation or entity wishing to publish their newspaper in India must acquire RNI Registration before the commencement of business.
Magazines: All types of magazines, regardless of the language they are in, are obligated to secure RNI Registration.
Printing Press: Every printing press in India, engaged in printing and publication, is required to obtain RNI Registration.
Pre- Requisites for RNI Registration
Name of the Publisher/Printer/Editor
Address of the place of business
Name and address of the business
Issue number and Volume number
Date mark and the Page number
Conspicuous display of cover page title & other pages
Documents Required for RNI Registration
Letter for Title Verification
Details of the partners/directors
Copy of Board resolution is mandatory
Copy of the Certificate of Incorporation/Registration
Copy of the inaugural issue of the newspaper publication
Printer Agreement along with a duplicate of the printing press
In the case of Partnership Deeds, a copy of the PAN Card shall be mandatory
Proof of identification and address for Directors/Partner/Proprietor must be furnished
Entity constitution documents such as Memorandum of Association (MOA), Articles of Association (AOA), Partnership Deed, etc
In the absence of any foreign connections or support, an affidavit should be prepared, signed by the Publisher, and appropriately notarized
Process to obtain RNI registration
Every applicant desirous of initiating a publication company or entity shall be required to follow the following steps to acquire RNI registration:
Step 1: Title Verification Process: The applicant is required to adhere to the registration procedure for the title of the newspaper or publication. This process should be conducted using the aforementioned online method.
Step 2: Authentication of Declaration: After receiving the title verification documents, they should be presented to the appropriate authority (DM/DC/SDM/DCP/JCP/CMM). Additionally, Form I must be submitted for authentication. If the publishing and printing entities are separate, two distinct formal declarations are required.
If these parties are situated in different districts, separate declarations from their respective districts are needed. As per PRB Act regulations, the publisher is accountable for submitting the declaration where the newspaper is published, while the printer must submit it at the newspaper's printing location.
Step 3: Publication of Volume: As per section 5(5) of the PRB Act, the Volume and Year of Issue (Volume/Issue-1) must be published within 42 days of authentication, which is mandatory. This timeline is applicable for daily publications. For fortnightly publications, Volume/Issue-1 should be published 90 days after authentication. If the publisher and printer are in different districts, the publisher's location is used for authentication.
If the Volume or Issue isn't published, a revised declaration must be issued and published. The declaration should specify the printing press's name, and the publication must exclusively be printed at that press. The content, including various article forms, releases, and journals, can be published in different languages as needed.
Step by Step Process of RNI Title Verification
In order to achieve RNI registration, it is obligatory to complete the title verification process, which involves the following steps:
Step 1: Access the Online Portal: To initiate the process, the applicant needs to access the official online portal by visiting http://www.rni.nic.in/
Step 2: Review Instructions: The applicant should carefully read the instructions available on the website and check for any updates regarding the title verification process. Click on the 'online title application' tab.
Step 3: Review Application: Before proceeding with the application for title verification, the applicant must thoroughly review all provided details to prevent potential issues in securing the title.
Step 4: Provide and Submit Application Details: Complete publication details should be provided by the applicant, including mandatory information. A valid mobile number and email address are essential elements to include.
Step 5: Submit Application to Authority: The application for title verification must be submitted to the relevant authorities, such as DCP in Delhi, who manage RNI registration matters.
Step 6: RNI Application Review: The authority will forward the application to RNI, including their name, signature, and seal. RNI will assess the application upon receiving the hard copy. Processing begins only after the hard copy reaches RNI. Applicants are advised to retain a signed hard copy for future reference.
Step 7: RNI Reference Number: Once the hard copy reaches RNI, they will review it and assign an RNI reference number. This reference number will be sent to the applicant's registered mobile number and email address.
Step 8: Check Application Status: Applicants can check the application status online by using the DM number or RNI reference number.
Step 9: Take a copy of the Title Verification Letter: In the final step, the applicant can download the title verification letter. The title will either be accepted upon meeting requirements or rejected if criteria are not met.
Printing Guidelines of RNI
When preparing the header for printing, it's important to adhere to the following instructions:
The font size of the title should not exceed 25% of the masthead size.
The title can be oriented either horizontally or vertically on the masthead.
Each page must include the page number in addition to the volume or issue number.
The newspaper's title should be presented prominently in the masthead for clear visibility.
The title must be distinct and not already in use by another publication to ensure uniqueness.
When dealing with publications in multiple languages, the title should be accurately presented in one of the languages within the masthead.
If the heading is written in a language that is not English or Hindi, it should be presented similarly in the masthead, following the specified font size.
Moreover, the masthead should encompass particulars such as the publication date, volume identification, publication language, issue count, and pertinent details.
Post Compliances for RNI
Post obtaining registration, the inaugural edition of the newspaper should include a properly completed Form No. IV which will serve as a declaration containing information about the ownership and other particulars of the newspaper. Furthermore, another essential requirement includes the submission of the annual statement using FORM II, which must be done by the final day of May each year.
Role of Agile Regulatory
Obtaining the RNI Registration for printing press, newspaper, magazine, and article publication could be a bit challenging due to the complex process of the documents required and the processes involved. However, with the right amount of guidance and consultation, you could easily acquire an RNI Registration within the prescribed time. At Agile Regulatory we are committed to helping budding entrepreneurs by enabling them to acquire business licenses smoothly and carry on their business.
FAQ`s
Indeed, it is feasible to ascertain name availability. The status could be assessed by examining a substring of the word or syllables instead of the entire name.
Yes, once the title is approved, the RNI registration process must be completed within two years following title verification.
Once it is ensured that the concerned publication issue includes the title as well as relevant information in such one or more languages, the titles & publication could be published.
Indeed, at the time of declaration, the applicant has the option to omit or exclude specific languages. The publisher's responsibility is to ensure that the newspaper is solely published in the language specified during the declaration.
No, changing the location of a verified title is not feasible. To explore this possibility, the applicant needs to submit a fresh application for title declaration.
Yes, the RNI registration could be transferred from one entity to the other after the applicant has legally been issued the RNI registration.
The following timeframes must be adhered to for releasing publication or newspaper issues:
- 42 days for daily publications.
- 90 days for publications issued fortnightly.
Yes, separate declarations are required in cases where the publishers & printers are separate entities.
If the first issue cannot be published within 42 days, a declaration must be submitted to the district magistrate explaining the situation
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