RNI Registration

Overview for RNI Registration

If you're planning to start a newspaper, magazine, or periodical in India, obtaining a Press Registrar General of India certificate, or PRGI registration certificate, is legally mandatory, formerly known as the Registrar of Newspapers, or RNI registration. The Registrar of Newspapers for India is the authority responsible for verifying and approving publication titles across the country. Without RNI approval, your publication is not legally valid.

The RNI registration process was governed by the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, and was taken care of by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. This law mandates that all publishers must get a registration number from the RNI before starting a newspaper, magazine, periodical, etc.

Whether you're starting a newspaper, magazine, or journal or operating a printing press, you must get approval from the RNI.

Purpose of RNI Registration:

• To regulate publication and circulation

• To prevent duplication of newspaper titles

• To uphold the authenticity of Indian journalism

• To maintain transparency in ownership and editorial control

Effective April 2025, RNI registration is replaced by the Press Registrar General of India's PRGI registration certificate, which is a new mandate for having a newspaper, magazine, periodical, or any other form of publication business in India.

What is RNI Registration?

RNI registration is the process of registering a newspaper, magazine, or periodical with the Registrar of Newspapers for India, an official body under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Established in 1956 under the Press and Registration of Books Act (PRB Act), 1867, RNI is responsible for maintaining a record of all newspapers and periodicals published in India.

RNI Registration Certificate Sample

Key Objectives of the RNI Registration:

• Ensuring compliance & administration of a newspaper registrar.
• Verification of circulation assertions provided by publishers within their annual report.
• Confirmation of circulation declarations provided by publishers within their yearly reports.
• Consideration & issuing of 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 and 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, or printing press, including any form of editorial or 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.

Why is RNI Registration Important?

Registering a publication with RNI is mandatory in India if someone wants to publish. Here is the reason why it’s essential:

1. RNI registration gives your publication legal standing.
2. Ensures that your publication title cannot be used by others.
3. RNI registration is mandatory to receive advertisements.
4. Required for obtaining concessional postal rates.
5. Ensures public trust by identifying publishers and printers.

Benefits of RNI Registration

​​​​​​Once a title has been approved, no other publication can use the same title.

1. Ensures your publication adheres to Indian laws and media guidelines.
2. Registration builds credibility and trust among readers and advertisers.
3. Avail lower postage rates for registered publications.
4. Essential for applying for ads.

Prerequisites for RNI Registration

1. Address of the place of business
2. Date mark and the Page number 
3. Issue number and Volume number
4. Name and address of the business
5. Name of the Publisher, Printer, or Editor
6. Conspicuous display of cover page title & other pages

Types of Publications that Require RNI Registration

RNI registration applies to a wide range of periodic printed publications, which are mentioned below. Publications must be printed at regular intervals and contain news, information, opinions, advertisements, or entertainment content.

• Newspapers (Daily/Weekly)
• Magazines (Monthly/Quarterly/Yearly)
• Journals and Research Papers
• Regional or vernacular publications
• Trade or Business bulletins

Documents Required for RNI Registration

•  Letter for Title Verification 
• Details of the partners and 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, partners, and proprietors 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.

RNI Registration Process

To start a newspaper, journal, or printing press publication, the applicant shall be required to acquire an RNI registration from the Registrar of Newspapers. 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 must start with online title verification for the proposed newspaper or publication. This is the first and most important step toward legally registering your publication with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI). The title must be unique.

How to Apply for RNI Title Verification:

1. Visit RNI Online Registration Portal: 

2. Click on “Title Verification” under the ‘Registration’ tab.

3. Fill in the online application form (Form I) with:

• Proposed Title
• Periodicity
• Language
• Publishing District

4. Submit the application form for approval.

Processing Time: Around 2-3 weeks.

Step 2 - Obtaining Declaration from District Magistrate (DM):

Once the title is approved, the applicant must submit a declaration form to the District Magistrate of the publishing district.

Documents Required:

• Copy of title verification letter from RNI

• Identity proof

• Address proof

• Passport-size photographs

The DM will sign and return a copy of the declaration, allowing you to proceed with printing your publication. 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 must be published within 42 days of authentication, which is mandatory. This timeline is applicable for daily publications. For other publications, it should be published within 90 days after authentication. If the publisher and printer are in different districts, the publisher's location is used for authentication.

Guidelines for the First Issue:

• The first issue must be exactly as per the declared information (title, language, periodicity, owner, etc.).
• It must mention the printing press and publisher’s name.
• Keep copies of the first issue carefully.

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 4: Submission of Documents to RNI:

After publishing the first issue, you must submit the following to RNI for obtaining the Certificate of Registration:

Documents Required:

• Application for registration 
• Copy of title verification letter
• Original declaration signed by the DM
• Copy of First issue
• Authenticated agreement with the printing press
• Copy of printer’s license
• Affidavit regarding ownership

Processing Time: 4 to 8 weeks

What is RNI Title Verification?

RNI Title Verification is the process of verifying the title of a publication with the Registrar of Newspapers for India, also known as RNI. This is an essential step for an applicant looking to start a new newspaper, magazine, or periodical in India. Title verification ensures that the proposed title is unique and not already registered with the RNI in order to avoid a common name or any other legal issues.

Key Points to Remember

• Title verification is valid only for one year.
• If not published within the prescribed time, the title verification becomes invalid.
• If there’s any change in the publication (ownership, language, periodicity, etc.), the same must be notified to RNI.

RNI Title Registration or Verification Process

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

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 or rni title verification 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 Certificate

When designing the header for printing, it's essential to follow these guidelines:

✅ The font size of the title should not exceed 25% of the total masthead size.

✅ The title can be displayed either horizontally or vertically on the masthead.

✅ Every page must include the page number, along with the volume or issue number.

✅ The newspaper's title should be prominently featured on the masthead for easy identification.

✅ The title must be unique and not already used by another publication to ensure originality.

✅ For multilingual publications, the title should be clearly displayed in at least one of the languages on the masthead.

✅ If the heading is in a language other than English or Hindi, it should be presented consistently in the masthead, maintaining the appropriate font size.

Additionally, the masthead must include information such as the publication date, volume number, publication language, issue number, and other relevant details.

Checklist for RNI Registration

Post Compliances for RNI Certification

After 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.

How to Apply for Changes in RNI Registration

If you're making any changes to your publication, you must submit a change declaration to the district magistrate and inform RNI with the mandatory documents, such as:

• Change in title or frequency
• Change in ownership
• Change in printing press
• Addition of new editions

Common Reasons for RNI Rejection

Below mentioned are the few common errors that result in the rejection of RNI applications. To avoid delays, always ensure documents are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

• Duplicate or misleading publication title
• Delay in first publication
• Mismatch in the declared and printed information
• Incomplete documents
• Unauthorized printing press

Role of Agile Regulatory as RNI Consultant

Obtaining the RNI Certificate 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 Certificate 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.