The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), in partnership with NielsenIQ BookData, has released the India Book Market Report 2026-2030, offering an evidence-based, detailed analysis of India’s publishing industry.
Released on 3 September 2026, the report projects that India’s book publishing market will reach US$21.4 billion by 2030-31. Building on the first India Book Market Report published in 2022, this edition examines the outlook for print, digital and scholarly publishing, alongside the roles of education, research, Indian-language publishing, economic contribution, artificial intelligence and policy frameworks in shaping the sector’s future.
The report highlights emerging opportunities for growth, innovation and investment, while underscoring the importance of copyright protection, creator rights and responsible technology adoption. It says India has the foundations of a globally relevant knowledge industry and must now focus on strengthening the quality, reach and sustainability of that growth.
Vikrant Mathur, executive director, NielsenIQ BookData, India & GCC, said the report was developed to provide a clearer understanding of the scale, structure and evolution of India’s publishing sector. “By combining market data with industry expertise, it offers practical insights into the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the industry. We hope it serves as a valuable resource for businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders as they plan for the future.”
Pranav Gupta, vice president, Federation of Indian Publishers, said publishing is fundamental to India’s intellectual, educational and cultural progress. As the industry evolves, he noted, its future must be guided by reliable data, rigorous research and a shared understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. “The report helps strengthen that foundation, and we hope it encourages more evidence-led discussions and meaningful action across the sector.”
Sanjay Kumar, former union secretary of education, observed that India is the third-largest publishing industry in the world after China and the USA, with the potential to become the largest. The publishing industry, he said, is the fountain of the knowledge economy and a key driver of human connection and innovation and the report would not only help in formalizing the market but also enable evidence-based decision making.Â
India’s publishing industry stands at a crucial inflection point, according to National Book Trust director Yuvraj Malik. Given its vast reader and learner base, extraordinary linguistic diversity and expanding technological capabilities, he believes India has the potential to emerge as a leading global knowledge economy.
“The India Book Market Report 2026-2030 goes beyond market size to examine the forces shaping this transformation across education, languages, technology, rights, access and policy. It offers valuable insights for industry and government alike,” Malik said.
International publishing leaders, including José Borghino of the International Publishers Association and Kevin Fitzgerald of the International Authors’ Forum, welcomed the report as an important evidence base on the country’s growing publishing sector. They pointed to India’s potential in global academic publishing, the need for stronger copyright and creator-rights frameworks, and the importance of AI, policy, research quality and sustainable business models in shaping the industry through 2030.
The report is expected to figure in discussions on the Indian publishing market at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026 and intended to serve as a reference for publishers, policymakers, investors, educational institutions, technology companies, authors, booksellers, libraries and other stakeholders seeking greater insight into the sector’s growth trajectory.
The Federation of Indian Publishers is the representative body of publishers in English, Hindi and other regional languages, with members from across India, representing more than 80 per cent of the publishing industry.
