What is RNI Registration?

In India, from past few years, major advertising revenues are arising from
newspapers and mainly from vernacular newspapers.The Times of India
and Hindustan Times comes under the top ten newspapers in India. The
main growth reasons are an improvement in literacy rates and content
coverage. Online versions of these newspapers are not getting as much
success.

Registrar of Newspapers for India(RNI)

In India, our publishing Industry is rapidly growing. Publication of books,

newspapers, and magazines are governed by the Press and Books
Registration Act, 1867.

Our Ministry of Information and Broadcasting control and frame rules

for the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) under the Press and
Registration of Books Act, 1867. Prior approval of RNI is required to start a
business of Newspaper, Magazine, Journals, etc.
 RNI Registration Process
 In the RNI registration process, firstly the proposed name of the
newspaper will be verified by the Registrar of Newspaper for India.

After this, an application is required to be made for title verification,

containing:

1. Name of the newspaper;

2. Name of the owner;
3. Circulation language;
4. Periodicity and
5. The proposed area of newspaper publication.

 Information will be submitted to the concerned District Magistrate.

 As the internet has gained popularity, an online application can be
filed for title verification with the RNI.
 Firstly The District Magistrate verifies the credentials of the applicant
and then forward the application to the RNI for checking the availability.
 Thereafter a letter of title verification is issued by the RNI to notify the
District Magistrate and publisher about the availability of the title.
 Subsequently, a declaration is required to be filed by the publisher
with the District Magistrate to start publishing the newspaper.

A RNI registration form or application can be submitted to the RNI – along

with the following:

1. An attested copy of title verification,

2. Copy of the declaration,
3. The first issue of the newspaper and
4. 'No Foreign Tie-up' affidavit- duly attested by a Notary.

From the date of the authentication of the declaration, within 45 days, the
first issue of the newspaper should be brought in case periodicity is daily or
weekly and In case of other periodicals, within 90 days newspaper should
be brought out.
 Information on Newspaper
The newspaper should contain following information:

 Issue number;
 Volume number;
 Title- prominently displayed on the cover page and on all pages.
 Dateline;
 Page number and
 An imprint line containing the following:
 The name of the publisher,
 Printer,
 Editor and owner,
 Address of the place of publication
 Name and address of the printing press.

There is a requirement of submission of separate declaration in case

printer and publisher are the different persons.

Documents Required For RNI Registration

For Registration

 One Copy of the Title Verification Letter.

 Declaration duly authenticated by the District Magistrate/Additional
District Magistrate etc.
 Affidavit duly signed by Publisher and Notarized for No Foreign Tie-
up.
 Copy of the first issue of the newspaper publication brought.
 A signed copy of Printer agreement along with the copy of printing
press.
 Here are the following KYC (Know your Customers) documents which are
also required

 Certificate of Incorporation, Memorandum/Articles of the Company;

 In the case of Proprietorship- the registration certificate issued under
Shops and Establishment Act;
 Partnership deed in the case of Partnership Firm;
 Copy of PAN;
 Details of Promoters/Directors/Partners;
 In case of Company, a copy of Board resolution;
 ID and Address proof of Partners/Directors/Proprietor.

Post Registration

 After the last day of February, the first issue should contain the duly
filled Form No. IV which is a statement regarding ownership and other
details of the newspaper.
 Another mandatory compliance is related to the annual statement in
form II- on or before the last day of May every year.

Fresh Filing

 Change of publisher,
 Printer,
 Owners,
 Periodicity and
 Printing press.