RNI Registration, governed by the Registrar of Newspapers for India, is a mandatory process for anyone looking to start a newspaper, magazine, or periodical in India. This registration is essential for ensuring legal compliance under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. It authenticates the title of a publication and ensures that no two newspapers or periodicals carry the same or deceptively similar names. Whether you are an aspiring publisher or an organization planning to launch a regular printed or digital publication, obtaining RNI approval is the first and most important step.
The RNI registration process begins with applying for Title Verification, which confirms that the proposed publication title is unique and not already in use. Once the title is approved, the applicant must publish the first issue within a stipulated period and submit required documents such as a declaration from the district magistrate, a copy of the published issue, and printer’s details. The application is then reviewed by the RNI, and upon successful verification, a Certificate of Registration is issued. This certificate is essential for obtaining postal benefits and government advertisements, as well as establishing the publication’s legitimacy.
