RNI License
                     RNI License

What is RNI?
RNI stands for Registrar of Newspapers in India.
The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting 
govern the RNI, and frames the rules for its 
regulations.
It is controlled by the Press and Registration of 
Books Act, 1867.
A prior approval of RNI is required to start a 
newspaper, magazine or journal etc. business.



What documents are required for RNI Registration?
Copy of Title Declaration 
Verification signed by DM or Affidavit signed 
Letter ADM by the Publisher
Copy of first Copy of printer 
newspaper agreement 
publication along with printing press
What are the KYC documents required?
Registration 
certificate for 
Proprietorship
Partnership 
Copy of PAN deed for a Partnership 
Firm
KYC 
Documents 
Promoter/ 
Partner Details Required Certificate of Incorporation
Copy of Board ID and 
Resolution for Address Proof 
a company of Promoter/ Partner
The Process for RNI Registration
Verification of Submission of 
the proposed Application for Title Verification information to name DM
Publisher’s RNI notification Forwarding to 
request to start about title RNI for checking 
publishing availability availability

...contd.
1. In the process for RNI Registration, the first step is that 
the publisher proposes a name for the respective 
newspaper. The proposed name is verified by the RNI
2. After this step, an application is filed for the title 
verification. This application must contain the following:
 Name of the newspaper
 Name of the owner
 Circulation language
 Periodicity
 Area of newspaper publication
...contd.
3. The information is then submitted for verification 
to the District Magistrate. The application for title 
verification can also be done online, through an 
online application from the official RNI website.
4. The next step involves the verification of the 
credentials by the District Magistrate. Once the 
credentials are verified, the application is then 
forwarded to the RNI for checking the availability 
of the title.

...contd.
5. If there is availability of the title for the 
newspaper, the RNI issues a letter of title 
verification to notify the District Magistrate and 
the publisher about the availability of the title.
6. Lastly, a declaration has to be filed by the 
applicant, i.e. the publisher, with the District 
Magistrate telling about the start of the newspaper.
When the declaration is authenticated, the first 
publication should come within 45 days of that, or 
within 90 days if the periodicity is not daily or 
weekly.
What should the newspaper contain?
Issue Number
Volume Number
Title of the newspaper, prominently on the cover 
page and on all other pages as well
Date of issue
Page number
An imprint line containing the name of the 
publisher, the name of the printer, editor, owner, 
address of the place of publication and name and 
address of the printing press.
What is necessary post-registration?
After the last day of February, every year, the first 
issue of the newspaper should contain Form No. 
IV, which provides information regarding 
ownership and other details of the newspaper.
Another mandate after the newspaper publishing 
has started is to fill Form No. II on or before last 
day of May every year, regarding the annual 
statement.

Conclusion
It is therefore, a vivid observation, that for the 
publishing of a newspaper, magazine etc, we need to 
have a registration with RNI. This process is a short 
and easy process, which has been further shortened 
up, by the advent of internet and helped more and 
more newspapers and magazines become the hub of 
information and education in India.