New Delhi: The central government is poised to announce a significant 26% hike in print media advertisement rates, marking the first major revision since 2019. The increase, expected to be implemented after the conclusion of the Bihar assembly elections, comes as the Model Code of Conduct currently prevents any policy-related announcements.

Officials within the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) said the proposed increase is aimed at helping newspapers, especially small and medium publications, navigate the growing volatility in advertisement revenues as digital media continues to expand its share.

According to sources, the last revision took place in January 2019, when the ministry increased rates by 25% based on recommendations from the 8th Rate Structure Committee. At the time, the hike accounted for rising newsprint costs and processing charges. The 2019 rates were designed to remain in effect for three years, after which a new Rate Structure Committee was constituted in November 2021 to review the rates. Despite multiple rounds of consultations and submissions of recommendations, the revision has been pending for over three years.

Prior to 2019, the previous update to print ad rates occurred in 2013, which had seen a 19% increase over the 2010 levels. With this upcoming revision, the government seeks to offer much-needed relief to newspapers that have been waiting for an adjustment since 2022, particularly given the financial pressures facing the sector amid competition from digital platforms.

The Indian Newspaper Society, representing the interests of publishers across the country, had not responded to requests for comment at the time of reporting.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of I&B is also focused on modernizing other aspects of media governance. At a press briefing on Saturday, Union I&B minister Ashwini Vaishnaw outlined plans to introduce new guidelines for television rating point (TRP) agencies, following an initial round of public consultation. The reforms aim to allow greater participation beyond the existing monopoly of the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC), easing ownership restrictions and building trust in the system.

Other ongoing initiatives include the integration of the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), and the Registrar of Newspapers for India (RNI) to streamline communication, outreach, and regulatory functions. The ministry is also developing a chatbot for fact-checking to ensure the authenticity of online content and plans to introduce 100 PhD seats at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) to promote advanced research in journalism.

With the 26% increase in print ad rates, the government aims to stabilize the print media sector while simultaneously encouraging broader reforms across both print and broadcast media. The announcement, timed post-Bihar polls, is expected to offer financial relief to newspapers that have faced significant revenue pressures over the past few years, while also aligning with the government’s broader communication modernization agenda.