Every year, the Press Council of India (PCI) levies an annual fee on registered newspapers and periodicals based on their circulation. This fee is collected under Section 16(2) of the Press Council Act, 1978, which empowers the Council to levy and collect fees from newspapers and news agencies.
The fee is payable to the Press Council of India. Rule 10 of the Press Council Rules, 1979 (as amended from time to time) prescribes the rates of the annual fee, which range from ₹100 to ₹7,500 per annum, depending on the circulation of the registered newspaper or periodical.
Newspapers and periodicals with a circulation of up to 5,000 copies are exempt from payment of this annual levy.
The Explanation under Rule 10 provides that the applicable circulation range shall be determined on the basis of the latest circulation figures available with the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI).
Annual Fee Structure
(A) Registered Newspapers and Periodicals with a Circulation Above 1,50,000
- Daily: ₹7,500 per annum
- Bi-weekly/Weekly: ₹4,500 per annum
- Fortnightly/Monthly: ₹3,500 per annum
- Other Categories: ₹2,250 per annum
(B) Registered Newspapers and Periodicals with a Circulation Above 1,00,000 and up to 1,50,000
- Daily: ₹5,250 per annum
- Bi-weekly/Weekly: ₹3,000 per annum
- Fortnightly/Monthly: ₹2,250 per annum
- Other Categories: ₹1,500 per annum
(C) Registered Newspapers and Periodicals with a Circulation Above 50,000 and up to 1,00,000
- Daily: ₹3,750 per annum
- Bi-weekly/Weekly: ₹2,250 per annum
- Fortnightly/Monthly: ₹1,500 per annum
- Other Categories: ₹1,125 per annum
(D) Registered Newspapers and Periodicals with a Circulation Above 15,000 and up to 50,000
- Daily: ₹1,500 per annum
- Bi-weekly/Weekly: ₹900 per annum
- Fortnightly/Monthly: ₹600 per annum
- Other Categories: ₹450 per annum
(E) Registered Newspapers and Periodicals with a Circulation Above 5,000 and up to 15,000
- Daily: ₹200 per annum
- Bi-weekly/Weekly: ₹150 per annum
- Fortnightly/Monthly: ₹100 per annum
- Other Categories: ₹100 per annum
News Agencies
- Class I News Agency: ₹7,500 per annum
- Class II News Agency: ₹5,250 per annum
- All Other News Agencies: ₹3,750 per annum
What is the Press Council of India?
The Press Council of India (PCI) is a statutory and quasi-judicial body established to preserve the freedom of the press and to maintain and improve the standards of journalism in India.
The Council was first established in 1966 on the recommendations of the First Press Commission. It presently functions under the Press Council Act, 1978.
The PCI acts as a watchdog of the press. It examines complaints against the press relating to violations of journalistic ethics and by the press concerning restrictions on press freedom. After examining the facts of a case, the Council may issue appropriate observations, warnings, admonitions, or other recommendations in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The Council is headed by a Chairperson, who is traditionally a retired Judge of the Supreme Court of India. It consists of representatives from the press, Parliament, and public institutions representing the literary, legal, and academic fields, as provided under the Press Council Act.
The Press Council is primarily funded through the annual fees levied on registered newspapers and news agencies based on their circulation. Newspapers and periodicals with a circulation of up to 5,000 copies are exempt from paying this fee. Any shortfall in the Council’s finances is met through grants provided by the Government of India via the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
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