RNI Annual Statement – Importance, Documents, and Process

RNI Annual Statement – Importance, Documents, and Process. The Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was established under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. The primary purpose of RNI is to regulate and maintain a database of all newspapers and periodicals published in India. Every newspaper or periodical must obtain a registration number from the RNI before starting publication.
Besides the initial registration, every registered publication is required to submit an Annual Statement to RNI every year. This statement acts as a declaration of continuity and provides various operational details about the publication.
What is the RNI Annual Statement?
The RNI Annual Statement is a mandatory return that all registered newspapers and periodicals must submit once every financial year. It contains key information about the publication’s operations for the preceding calendar year (i.e., January to December). This statement serves multiple purposes:

It confirms that the publication is still active.

It provides circulation data and other operational details.

It allows RNI to maintain an updated record of each publication.

The statement must be submitted by 31st May of the following year, and failure to do so can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration.
Legal Basis for the Annual Statement
The requirement to file an annual statement stems from Section 19D of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, and related rules. As per these rules, the publisher must furnish details on the number of copies printed, sold, the average number of pages, the retail selling price, and the languages in which the publication is issued.
This legal provision is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper regulation of print media in India. It also enables RNI to verify whether a publication is fulfilling its statutory obligations and not misusing its registration.
Who Needs to File the RNI Annual Statement?
The annual statement must be submitted by the publisher of the registered newspaper or periodical. It applies to:

Daily newspapers

Weekly and fortnightly publications

Monthly or quarterly magazines

Journals and newsletters published under a registered title

Each publication with an RNI registration number is expected to file its statement even if it has suspended operations during the year. In such a case, the publisher must mention the reason for non-publication.
Importance of RNI Annual Statement
Filing the annual statement is not just a formality—it holds several benefits and legal implications:

Legal Compliance: Filing ensures that the publication remains legally compliant and avoids penalties or cancellation.

Authenticity and Credibility: It adds credibility to the publication as it shows transparency and accountability to the government.

Eligibility for Advertisements: Only publications that file their annual statement are eligible for DAVP (Bureau of Outreach & Communication) advertisements from the government.

Circulation Validation: The statement helps the RNI maintain an accurate record of the newspaper's or magazine’s circulation data, which is critical for advertisers.

Documents Required for Filing RNI Annual Statement
Before beginning the filing process, the publisher must prepare the following documents and data:

Details of the Publisher and Printer (Name, address, contact information)

RNI Registration Number of the publication

Language and Periodicity of the newspaper/magazine

Issue-wise Circulation Data (number of copies printed and sold)

Retail Price and Number of Pages

Printing Press Details

Declaration Certificate (Form-I as filed during registration)

Soft copy of the masthead/title (Optional but recommended)

All data must be for the calendar year (January to December) and not the financial year.
Step-by-Step Procedure to File RNI Annual Statement
Filing the RNI Annual Statement is an online process that is simple and streamlined. Below is a step-by-step guide to help publishers file it correctly:
Step 1: Visit the Official RNI Portal
The publisher must go to the official RNI website: http://rni.nic.in and click on the ‘Annual Statement Filing’ section on the home page.
Step 2: Login Using Credentials
The publisher must use the login credentials (RNI registration number and password). If the password is forgotten or not yet created, it can be retrieved or generated using the 'Forgot Password' option by verifying mobile/email.
Step 3: Select the Publication
After login, select the publication title from the list. This will bring up the annual statement form specific to that publication.
Step 4: Fill in the Required Details
You must enter the following information in the online form:

Number of issues published during the year

Number of copies printed per issue

Number of copies sold per issue

Average number of pages per issue

Language and frequency

Retail selling price

Name and address of the printer and publisher

Step 5: Upload Required Documents
In this step, the soft copy of relevant documents (declaration form, previous year's statement if required) can be uploaded.
Step 6: Submit the Form
After thoroughly checking the form, the publisher must click on the Submit button. Once submitted, a system-generated acknowledgment is displayed, which should be saved for future reference.
What Happens After Submission?
Once the RNI receives the annual statement, it verifies the data. If the statement is complete and correct, the system updates the RNI records. However, if any discrepancy or missing information is found, RNI may send a notice asking for clarification or resubmission.
Repeated failure to file or respond may result in show-cause notices and even cancellation of registration under relevant rules.
Consequences of Non-Filing
If a registered publisher fails to file the RNI Annual Statement by May 31st, the following consequences may arise:

The publication may lose its registration and legal validity.

It becomes ineligible for central and state government advertisements.

It may be blacklisted by DAVP or I&B Ministry.

Penalties or compliance notices may be issued by RNI.

Legal action under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 may be initiated.

Can Corrections Be Made After Filing?
Yes, in case of a mistake, the publisher can write an email to RNI requesting to unlock the filed statement. Upon approval, the statement can be edited and re-submitted. This feature is available only within the annual statement filing period.
RNI Annual Statement for New Publications
If your publication was registered mid-year, you still need to file an annual statement for the months it was operational. For instance, if registration was granted in August 2024, you must file the statement for August to December 2024 by May 31, 2025.
If no issue was published during this period, mention the reasons (e.g., financial difficulty, printing delays) in the remarks section while filing.
Conclusion
The RNI Annual Statement is an essential part of maintaining a compliant and transparent publication in India. It not only ensures legal standing under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 but also enables access to government benefits like advertisements and recognition.
Every publisher, irrespective of the size or frequency of their publication, must treat this compliance seriously and file the annual statement with accurate data on or before 31st May every year. It is advisable to maintain a compliance calendar and delegate the responsibility to a designated person to avoid any oversight.
If you are a publisher and need professional assistance in filing your RNI Annual Statement, connect with Compliance Calendar’s experts through email info@ccoffice.in or Call/Whatsapp at +91 9988424211.

The Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) is a statutory body functioning under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. It was established under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867. The primary purpose of RNI is to regulate and maintain a database of all newspapers and periodicals published in India. Every newspaper or periodical must obtain a registration number from the RNI before starting publication.

Besides the initial registration, every registered publication is required to submit an Annual Statement to RNI every year. This statement acts as a declaration of continuity and provides various operational details about the publication.

What is the RNI Annual Statement?

The RNI Annual Statement is a mandatory return that all registered newspapers and periodicals must submit once every financial year. It contains key information about the publication’s operations for the preceding calendar year (i.e., January to December). This statement serves multiple purposes:

It confirms that the publication is still active.
It provides circulation data and other operational details.
It allows RNI to maintain an updated record of each publication.

The statement must be submitted by 31st May of the following year, and failure to do so can lead to suspension or cancellation of registration.

Legal Basis for the Annual Statement

The requirement to file an annual statement stems from Section 19D of the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, and related rules. As per these rules, the publisher must furnish details on the number of copies printed, sold, the average number of pages, the retail selling price, and the languages in which the publication is issued.

This legal provision is essential to ensure transparency, accountability, and proper regulation of print media in India. It also enables RNI to verify whether a publication is fulfilling its statutory obligations and not misusing its registration.

Who Needs to File the RNI Annual Statement?

The annual statement must be submitted by the publisher of the registered newspaper or periodical. It applies to:

Daily newspapers
Weekly and fortnightly publications
Monthly or quarterly magazines
Journals and newsletters published under a registered title

Importance of RNI Annual Statement

Filing the annual statement is not just a formality—it holds several benefits and legal implications:

Legal Compliance: Filing ensures that the publication remains legally compliant and avoids penalties or cancellation.
Authenticity and Credibility: It adds credibility to the publication as it shows transparency and accountability to the government.
Eligibility for Advertisements: Only publications that file their annual statement are eligible for DAVP (Bureau of Outreach & Communication) advertisements from the government.
Circulation Validation: The statement helps the RNI maintain an accurate record of the newspaper's or magazine’s circulation data, which is critical for advertisers.

Documents Required for Filing RNI Annual Statement

Before beginning the filing process, the publisher must prepare the following documents and data:

Details of the Publisher and Printer (Name, address, contact information)
RNI Registration Number of the publication
Language and Periodicity of the newspaper/magazine
Issue-wise Circulation Data (number of copies printed and sold)
Retail Price and Number of Pages
Printing Press Details
Declaration Certificate (Form-I as filed during registration)
Soft copy of the masthead/title (Optional but recommended)

All data must be for the calendar year (January to December) and not the financial year.

Step-by-Step Procedure to File RNI Annual Statement

Filing the RNI Annual Statement is an online process that is simple and streamlined. Below is a step-by-step guide to help publishers file it correctly:

Step 1: Visit the Official RNI Portal

The publisher must go to the official RNI website: http://rni.nic.in and click on the ‘Annual Statement Filing’ section on the home page.

Step 2: Login Using Credentials

The publisher must use the login credentials (RNI registration number and password). If the password is forgotten or not yet created, it can be retrieved or generated using the 'Forgot Password' option by verifying mobile/email.

Step 3: Select the Publication

After login, select the publication title from the list. This will bring up the annual statement form specific to that publication.

Step 4: Fill in the Required Details

You must enter the following information in the online form:

Number of issues published during the year
Number of copies printed per issue
Number of copies sold per issue
Average number of pages per issue
Language and frequency
Retail selling price
Name and address of the printer and publisher

Step 5: Upload Required Documents

In this step, the soft copy of relevant documents (declaration form, previous year's statement if required) can be uploaded.

Step 6: Submit the Form

After thoroughly checking the form, the publisher must click on the Submit button. Once submitted, a system-generated acknowledgment is displayed, which should be saved for future reference.

What Happens After Submission?

Once the RNI receives the annual statement, it verifies the data. If the statement is complete and correct, the system updates the RNI records. However, if any discrepancy or missing information is found, RNI may send a notice asking for clarification or resubmission.

Repeated failure to file or respond may result in show-cause notices and even cancellation of registration under relevant rules.

Consequences of Non-Filing

If a registered publisher fails to file the RNI Annual Statement by May 31st, the following consequences may arise:

The publication may lose its registration and legal validity.
It becomes ineligible for central and state government advertisements.
It may be blacklisted by DAVP or I&B Ministry.
Penalties or compliance notices may be issued by RNI.
Legal action under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 may be initiated.

Can Corrections Be Made After Filing?

Yes, in case of a mistake, the publisher can write an email to RNI requesting to unlock the filed statement. Upon approval, the statement can be edited and re-submitted. This feature is available only within the annual statement filing period.

RNI Annual Statement for New Publications

If your publication was registered mid-year, you still need to file an annual statement for the months it was operational. For instance, if registration was granted in August 2024, you must file the statement for August to December 2024 by May 31, 2025.

If no issue was published during this period, mention the reasons (e.g., financial difficulty, printing delays) in the remarks section while filing.

Conclusion

The RNI Annual Statement is an essential part of maintaining a compliant and transparent publication in India. It not only ensures legal standing under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 but also enables access to government benefits like advertisements and recognition.

Every publisher, irrespective of the size or frequency of their publication, must treat this compliance seriously and file the annual statement with accurate data on or before 31st May every year. It is advisable to maintain a compliance calendar and delegate the responsibility to a designated person to avoid any oversight.

If you are a publisher and need professional assistance in filing your RNI Annual Statement, connect with Compliance Calendar’s experts through email info@ccoffice.in or Call/Whatsapp at +91 9988424211.