The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting has approved a 26 per cent increase in advertisement rates for print media, marking a major policy push to strengthen traditional news platforms. The revised rates aim to provide crucial financial support to newspapers at a time when rising costs and digital competition have strained their revenue streams.
For black-and-white advertisements in daily newspapers with a circulation of one lakh copies, the rate per sq. cm has been increased from ₹47.40 to ₹59.68. The government has also accepted recommendations to offer premium rates for colour ads and preferential placement, measures expected to further boost earnings for print publications.
The ministry said the rate hike will help sustain the print industry, which continues to face rising input costs and intense competition from digital platforms. “Higher rates for government advertisements will provide essential revenue support to print media… This can help sustain operations, maintain quality journalism, and support local news initiatives,” the statement noted. It added that stronger financial stability will enable newspapers to invest in improved content, ultimately benefiting the public.
This is the first revision since 2019, which was based on recommendations by the 8th Rate Structure Committee. The latest increase follows the review conducted by the 9th Rate Structure Committee, formed in November 2021, which analysed the steep rise in newsprint and processing costs before recommending the hike.
