Registrar of Newspaper for India (RNI)

Introduction

Registrar of news paper more popularly known as RNI was established in the year 1956 on the recommendation of Press commission of India. RNI is governed by the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867. RNI functions and performs both statutory and Non-statutory functions. The head office of RNI is situated at New Delhi and is headed by Press registrar. The foremost function of RNI is to register newspaper in India, ensure they abide by the PRB act and rule made there under and monitor their circulation.

Functions of RNI –

• It maintains and compiles register of newspaper circulating in India, the register contains details of all registered newspaper published and circulated.
• RNI issues certificate of registration to the newspaper, which are published under valid declaration.
• It scrutinizes and analysis the statements sent by newspaper of information like circulation, ownership etc.
• It sends a report to the District magistrate about the available titles which intending publishers can use for filing fresh declaration.
• Ensures and supervises that newspapers published are published according to the Press and registration of Books act and rules.
• Verification of the circular claims submitted by newspapers and monitor.
• RNI prepares and submits at the end of calendar year to the government, information about the press in India and also particularly informs the government about the emerging trends in circulation.
• RNI formulates allocation policy; it makes guidelines and issue certificate to newspaper with regard to import of newsprint and procurement of indigenous newsprint.

Title Verification Procedure and guidelines –

The first step of registering a newspaper is to look for a title by which the newspaper will be known and the getting it registered, the rest of the process follows after completion of this primary process.

• The application of Title verification has to be sent to the Executive magistrate (DM, DC, JMIC or DSP) of the concerned district.
• Same or similar title functioning in the state shall not be verified in any language.
• The applicant can before applying through formal application, can get his title verified through title search option available on the website of RNI, this will reduce delay and stop rejection of application on this sole ground.
• The application shall clearly specify the following  -

  •5 title options and English meaning of those titles if they are in some other language.

  •The language of the newspaper

  •The periodicity of the newspaper

  •The place where it will be published

  •The complete address, email-ID, telephone number of the applicant.

• In case there are more than one language mentioned in the application, the application shall be considered for bilingual or multilingual languages.
• Separate application can also be sent for different languages, if different language newspapers have to be published.
• If a new edition has to be brought within the same state and introduced into a new district, no title verification is required.
• If a new edition has to be brought from other state then verification of title is necessary.
• Newspaper issued a bilingual or multilingual certificate shall publish articles in all languages it has been issued the certificate.
• Applicant cannot give his own name as title name option.
• Abbreviations shall not be used in the title.

Procedure for title verification –

• Title verification application can be filled online through the official website of RNI.
• The link is available that is ONLINE TITLE APPLICATION on the home page of the RNI website.
• After filling the mandatory fields in the application, submit the application and take a print out of the application.
• The reference no. should be saved for future.
• The application then has to be submitted to the executive magistrate, who after verifying all the credentials will put his signature of approval, seal and stamp.
• The executive magistrate will then forward the application to RNI authorities.
• Once RNI receives the hard copy sent by executive magistrate only then RNI will proceed with registration process, RNI will send the reference no. to the applicant on his registered phone no. and email-ID.
• Applicant can check the status of application on the website of RNI.
• Applicant can download title verification letter or non-approval letter/discrepancy letter from the website.

Procedure and guidelines to register with RNI

• After getting the title verified and approved, the letter of approval has to be downloaded and the letter of approval has to be presented to the executive magistrate along with the declaration form (FORM-1) for authentication.
• If the publisher and the printer are different identities then separate form of declaration has to be filed by publisher and printer.
• If the place of printing and publication are in two different districts then two separate declarations have to be filled in both the districts.
• According to the PRB act, volume/year-1 should be brought within 42 days of authentication of declaration provided daily is published daily or weekly.
• As per the PRB act, volume/year-1 should be brought within 90 days of authentication of declaration provided daily is published fortnightly.
• The title or the masthead should be displayed in uniform font and same letter size.
• Use of symbols, emoticons and graphics is prohibited in title.
• All these documents have to be filed with RNI registration authorities.
• Only term Editor has to be used in the imprint line.
• Once all the guidelines are followed and procedure is complete RNI will issue the certificate.
• The forms which are to be filed and sent for registration can be downloaded from the official website of RNI that is www.rni.nic.in
• The status of the registration can be checked online through the official website.

Authentication of Declaration to be filed –

A declaration has to be filed when new registration has to be filed which is duly authenticated by executive magistrate. A new declaration has to be filed when changes are made to the following –

• Title of the newspaper
• Language, if any other language has to be made 
• If there is change in periodicity
• Change of ownership
• There is a change in place of printing 
• Change in place of publication
• Change in the publisher or printer
• If the printer or publisher leaves India for a period exceeding 90 days.
• When the printer or publisher is incapable of carrying out work for a period of 90 days or more.
• If the newspaper does not commence publication within the prescribed time period.

Documents to be sent for fresh registration with RNI –

• A copy of title verification letter issued by RNI office.
• The declaration (FORM-1) filed by the publisher, and which is duly authenticated by the executive magistrate
• The declaration (FORM-1) filed by printer duly attested by the executive magistrate.
• The written agreement signed between the owner of the newspaper and the printer stating the agreement entered between them for publishing the same.
• If the owner of the newspaper and the printer are same then there is no need for such agreement.
• A copy of first issue that is volume 1, issue 1 which has been authenticated by executive magistrate within prescribed days.
• An authorization letter by the owner of the newspaper, authorizing the printer or publisher to print the newspaper.