New Delhi | November 17,2025 | SLY LINK TIMES
Centre Hikes Print Media Ad Rates by 26%:
The Central Government has approved a 26% hike for Print Media Ads, alongside a new premium pricing structure for colour ads, aiming to strengthen India’s print journalism ecosystem. The announcement was made on Monday by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (I&B).
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Why the Rate Revision of Print Media Ad Matters
The government’s official statement said the revised rates will provide essential financial support to newspapers, many of which are struggling due to rising operational costs and intense competition from digital platforms. The increased rates are expected to help publications sustain operations, maintain quality journalism, and continue supporting regional and local news reporting.
According to the ministry, higher revenue from government ads will enable print outlets to invest in improved content, benefiting the overall information landscape.
What Has Changed?
Under the new structure, the black-and-white ad rate per sq. cm for newspapers with one lakh daily copies has increased from ₹47.40 to ₹59.68.
The government has also agreed to implement the committee’s recommendations for:
Premium rates for colour advertisements
Preferential positioning charges
These measures are designed to align print ad pricing with current industry trends and inflationary pressures.
Committee Recommendations and Background
The rates were last revised on January 9, 2019 based on the 8th Rate Structure Committee. Those rates were valid for three years.
A new 9th Rate Structure Committee, chaired by the Additional Secretary & Financial Adviser (I&B), was set up on November 11, 2021. Between November 2021 and August 2023, the committee consulted major newspaper associations, including:
Indian Newspaper Society (INS)
All India Small Newspapers Association (AISNA)
Small-Medium-Big Newspapers Society (SMBNS)
The committee evaluated multiple economic factors influencing print media pricing, such as:
1.WPI inflation for newsprint
2.Imported newsprint price trends
3.Wages and labour costs
4.Processing expenses
5.Rising production costs
It submitted its recommendations on September 23, 2023.
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Boosting Communication and a Diversified Media Ecosystem
The I&B Ministry stated that the rate hike aligns with broader communication goals. By recognising the value of print in a diversified media ecosystem, the government aims to ensure that its communication campaigns continue to reach citizens across all platforms—digital, print, radio, and more.
The Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), the nodal media unit responsible for government publicity campaigns, will implement the revised rates. CBC releases ads across empanelled newspapers and magazines on behalf of various ministries and departments.
What This Means for the Industry
Analysts say the hike is likely to provide crucial breathing room for small and medium newspapers, which have been disproportionately affected by rising newsprint prices and declining ad revenues. The move may also help preserve India’s vast network of regional language publications, which play a significant role in grassroots communication.
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