The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has approved a 26% increase in government advertisement rates for print media. As per news reports, this is the first major revision since 2019.
Black-and-white rates up to Rs 59.68 per sq. cm
Under the revised structure, the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) will now pay Rs 59.68 per sq. cm for black-and-white ads in daily newspapers with circulation above one lakh, up from Rs 47.40 earlier. The ministry has also cleared higher premiums for colour ads and preferential placements, based on the recommendations of the 9th Rate Structure Committee (RSC).
Recommendations from 9th RSC
The RSC, set up in November 2021, examined industry submissions from bodies including the Indian Newspaper Society, All India Small Newspapers Association and the Small-Medium-Big Newspapers Society. The committee assessed factors such as newsprint inflation, rising wages, imported newsprint costs and processing expenses before submitting its recommendations in September 2023.
The CBC, the government’s nodal agency for releasing publicity campaigns across media, last revised print ad rates in January 2019 following recommendations of the 8th RSC, with the structure originally meant to be valid for three years.
The latest hike comes amid continued pressure on traditional advertising. Print ad volumes fell 4% in the first half of 2025, while WPP Media estimates a 3% decline for print in 2025, even as television is projected to grow 1%.
Officials said the revised rates are intended to provide financial support to print publishers at a time of rising operational costs and intensifying competition from digital platforms. Industry executives expect a review of government ad rates for television to follow.