Much to the relief of newspapers and magazines, the government of India has announced a 26% increase in advertisement rates for print media, raising the cost of black-and-white ads for dailies with a circulation of one lakh from Rs 47.40 to Rs 59.68 per square centimeter. The new structure also introduces premium charges for color advertisements and preferential placements.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), the nodal media unit under the Ministry of information and broadcasting, oversees the release of government advertisements across empanelled print outlets. The last revision, based on the 8th Rate Structure Committee (RSC), took effect on 9 January 2019, and remained valid for three years.
A fresh review was undertaken by the 9th Rate Structure Committee, constituted on 11 November 2021, under the chairmanship of the AS&FA (I&B).
Industry bodies such as the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) had been demanding a revision due to a sharp rise in input costs and the contraction in ad volumes. Government advertising serves as a major source of revenue for small and medium publications struggling to stay afloat, especially after the pandemic.
The panel examined submissions from major industry groups—including the INS, All India Small Newspapers Association (AISNA), and Small-Medium-Big Newspapers Society (SMBNS)—as well as other stakeholders. It assessed multiple cost factors such as newsprint inflation, wage trends, imported newsprint prices, and processing expenses. The committee submitted its recommendations on September 23, 2023.
According to the government, the revised rates are expected to strengthen the print media ecosystem by providing crucial revenue support at a time of rising operational costs and growing competition from digital platforms.
The higher rates will help sustain journalism, bolster local news coverage, and enable newspapers to improve content quality, the government said. The move also aligns with efforts to ensure that government communication strategies effectively reach diverse audiences across media formats.
