2. Historical Background
During British reign writing of books and other informatory material
took a concrete shape with the advent of printing Press.
Those in the field of writing, publishing and printing gave a thought
to organize a system for keeping a record of the publications.
Attempt was made by East India company to make a collection of the
books and other publications emanating from the various printing
presses throughout India.
 Board of Directors of East India company issued an instruction that
copies of every important and interesting work published in India
should be despatched to England to be deposited in the library of India
House.

3. Continue…
The Royal Asiatic Society in London urged the then Secretary of
State for India to repeat the instruction of the late Board of
Directors of East India Company and also desired that catalogues of
all the works published in India should be sent to England.
It was found necessary to establish a system of compulsory sale to
Government, of three copies of each work in India.
 To achieve this purpose a Bill was introduced in the Legislature
for the regulation of printing presses for the registration of books
and periodicals containing news.

4. Objectives of the Act
In order to collect information relating to printing
establishments and to preserve copies of each publication in
India this act came to existence.
Another purpose of the act is to regulate and prevent
anonymous literature in India and to regulate printing
companies functioning in India.
Purpose of this act is not to stop publication rather to
regulate publication.
It does not affect the basic principle of freedom of speech and
expression

5. Salient features of the Act…
Every owner of press (for printing newspaper, periodicals,
books etc ) must make a declaration before the district/sub-
divisional magistrate of that area.
Every book, newspaper, periodical shall print the name of its
editor, printer, publisher and addresses of the place of printing
and publication Printer and publisher shall make and subscribe a
declaration before district/sub-divisional magistrate of that area
under section 5 of this act.
There may be penalties for not confirming to any of the above
mentioned requirements.

6. Governing Authority…
In 1955 , sec 19A was included under this Act and under provision of news
section central Government established the office and post of registrar of
newspapers of India.
Functions of RNI…
To verify and allot titles of newspapers, periodicals and magazines on the
basis of their application.
To allot registration number and to issue certificates to the newspapers etc.
Verify circulation claim
Receive annual statement of registered newspapers and publish annual
report.
Allocate newsprint to newspapers
Help in import of printing/composing machines and materials.

7. Provisions to Start a Publication…
The owner of the publication should apply to RNI through the be
District/Sub divisional magistrate of the area providing following
information.
Name and Address of the editor, printer and publisher
Address of the premises where printing is done
Language and periodicity of the publication
Suggested titles (three or more)
After receiving application RNI will verify the information and
will allot title, registration no and certificate.

8. Violation and Penalty…
If any publisher is found guilty of publishing anything
without providing proper information he can be fined up
to 2000/-or can be jailed for 6 months or both.
Provision of punishment is also there for making false
statements.

10. Thank You