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India Approves 26% Hike in Government Print Ad Rates, Adds Premiums for Colour and Placement

The move follows a committee review of rising input costs to bolster newspapers facing pressure from digital platforms.

The new increase follows recommendations from the 8th Rate Structure Committee (RSC), set up in November 2021. (Representative file photo)
Image
(Representational Image)

Overview

  • The new rates take effect on December 1, 2025, according to an I&B official cited by Hindustan Times.
  • The base black-and-white rate for dailies with one lakh circulation rises from ₹47.40 to ₹59.68 per sq cm, with new premiums for colour and preferred positions.
  • The government says higher rates will shore up revenue for print outlets, particularly smaller and local papers contending with higher costs and shifting ad budgets.
  • The 9th Rate Structure Committee, formed on November 11, 2021, weighed newsprint inflation, wages and processing costs before submitting recommendations on September 23, 2023; the last revision was in January 2019.
  • The Central Bureau of Communication remains the nodal ad buyer, and commentators caution the hike could deepen reliance on government advertising and strain editorial independence.