What is the difference between RNI under the old PRB Act 1867 and the new PRP Act 2023?

The PRP Act 2023 (notified 1 July 2024) replaces the Press and Registration of Books Act 1867. Key changes: (a) digital filing on Press Sewa portal (no physical forms); (b) Press Registrar General replaces Registrar of Newspapers for India; (c) timeline of 30 days for title verification and 60 days for registration; (d) deemed approval on lapse of timeline; (e) reduced penalties.

Is the new registration paperless?

Yes — under the PRP Act 2023 read with PRP Regulations 2024, the entire process is online on the Press Sewa portal (https://prs.nic.in). Aadhaar-based e-KYC is mandatory.

Does a digital-only news portal require RNI registration?

Digital-only news portals are regulated under the **IT Rules, 2021** (Part III — Code of Ethics and Procedure in respect of Digital News Media) and the Press Information Bureau (PIB) Digital Media accreditation. RNI registration under PRP Act 2023 applies to "periodicals" defined to include printed publications. — **PROFESSIONAL VERIFICATION REQUIRED** for the exact scope of digital periodicals.

What is the 26% FDI cap?

Under FDI Policy para 6.1.6 (consolidated FDI Policy 2020) — 26% FDI is permitted in Indian entities publishing newspapers / periodicals. Foreign investment beyond 26% requires prior FIPB / DPIIT approval (now under FEMA / NDI Rules).

Is registration required for an academic / scientific journal?

No — Section 2(j) of PRP Act 2023 excludes "scientific and academic journals of academic nature" from the definition of "periodical". Such journals require ISSN from the National Science Library (NISCAIR) — not RNI registration.

What happens if a periodical is published without registration?

Section 26 — imprisonment up to 6 months or fine up to ₹25,000, or both; for the second offence — imprisonment up to 1 year or fine up to ₹50,000, or both. The Press Registrar General may also suspend / cancel the publication under Section 20.

Is the registration permanent?

No — under Section 11 of PRP Act 2023, the Certificate of Registration is valid for **1 year** and requires renewal via annual Form 6 filing. Failure to file Form 6 within 6 months of the due date results in automatic suspension.

Can the same title be used in different languages?

Title verification under Section 8 of PRP Act 2023 is language-specific — the same title can be registered in different languages by different publishers (e.g., "Times of India" in English and "Times of India" in Hindi are different registrations).

Editor's pickStartup

Rni Registration

Looking to file for RNI registration? I-Pro Solutions offers structured documentation review, government portal filing and status tracking — backed by CA-led.

Statutory basis: **Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023** (Act 25 of 2023) — received Presidential assent on 21 December 2023.

Turnaround

7–14 Working Days

₹

Starts from

₹3,499

Money-back accuracy

Guaranteed

Total starting from

₹3,499

Professional + estimated government fee

Professional fee₹3,499 starts with

Government fee (est.)₹0 - ₹1,000

Turnaround7–14 Working Days

Money-back accuracy. CA/CS specialist. Tracked client portal.

CONFIRMEDverified 25 Aug 2026

Dedicated specialist

CA-led, named point of contact

Tracked client portal

Real-time status, end-to-end

Money-back accuracy

Refile-free if our error

Flat-fee pricing

No hidden charges, ever

About this service

Rni Registration is a key regulatory filing administered by **Press Registrar General of India (PRGI)** — established under Section 19 of PRP Act 2023 (replacing the Registrar of Newspapers for India under the old PRB Act 1867). The Press Registrar General functions under the **Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)**. Press Council of India (PCI) — appellate authority under Section 15.. Filing is executed via Under the PRP Act 2023 and PRP Regulations 2024 — entirely paperless on Press Sewa portal: under **Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023** (Act 25 of 2023) — received Presidential assent on 21 December 2023; notified on 1 July 2024 (replaced the **Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867** and the Press and Registration of Periodicals Regulations, 2024 — Notification G.S.R. 322(E) dated 12 June 2024). Sections: Section 1 (short title), Section 2 (definitions — "periodical" includes newspapers, excluding books and scientific journals of academic nature), Section 4 (no periodical to be published without registration), Section 5 (making of title allotment), Section 6 (Power to Specify Titles, etc. by Press Registrar), Section 7 (Application for title verification and registration), Section 8 (Verification of Title), Section 9 (Registration of Periodical by Press Registrar), Section 10 (Publication of Periodical by Government), Section 11 (Validity of Certificate of Registration), Section 12 (Issue of certificate), Section 14 (refusal to register — appeal to Press Registrar General), Section 15 (appeal to Press Council of India), Section 17 (annual statement), Section 20 (revision, suspension or cancellation of registration), Section 26 (penalty for printing / publishing without registration), Section 27 (penalty for contravention of any provision — general penalty), Section 28 (compounding of offences), Section 29 (Cognizance of offences).. Our specialist-led team ensures full compliance with statutory documentation, eligibility verification, and expedited government approval.

Eligibility & thresholds

Minimum

Valid identity & address proof of applicant
Active PAN & registered business premises
Authorized representative authorization

Maximum

Compliant under applicable regulatory laws
No pending statutory disqualifications
Valid across authorized operational jurisdictions

Statutory floor

Pre-filing statutory documentation verification
Official statutory fee schedule as per authority
Mandatory periodic compliance filings post-approval

What's included

Everything in one transparent fee — no add-ons, no surprises.

Investor-Centric AOA Drafting

If you plan to raise institutional funding, standard Articles of Association (AOA) will not suffice. Venture capitalists demand specific clauses regarding right of first refusal (ROFR), tag-along/drag-along rights, and anti-dilution provisions. Our elite corporate lawyers draft sophisticated AOAs that anticipate future funding rounds, preventing costly and time-consuming structural overhauls when you secure term sheets.

Complex Multi-Founder Structuring

Co-founder disputes are the leading cause of early-stage startup failure. We don't just register your company; we advise on optimal equity splits, director roles, and authorized capital distribution. We provide templates for Co-Founder Agreements and vesting schedules, ensuring that the foundational relationship between partners is legally documented and aligned for long-term stability.

Rapid SPICe+ Processing Engine

Time is of the essence for startups. We utilize an advanced compliance engine that preemptively validates all data entered into the SPICe+ (INC-32) form. By cross-referencing PAN databases, checking DIN eligibility, and formatting registered office proofs perfectly, we eliminate typographical errors that typically cause frustrating ROC resubmission delays, ensuring first-pass approval.

Strategic Authorized Capital Advisory

Determining your initial Authorized Share Capital is a delicate balance. Set it too low, and you'll immediately face high fees to increase it during your first seed round. Set it too high, and you pay unnecessary upfront government stamp duty. We analyze your 12-to-18-month funding roadmap to recommend the exact optimal capital structure that minimizes immediate costs while accommodating your immediate growth.

ESOP Implementation Framework

Attracting top-tier talent in the startup ecosystem often requires offering Employee Stock Ownership Plans. A Private Limited Company is the only structure that efficiently supports this. As part of our premium advisory, we structure your initial cap table to accommodate a future ESOP pool seamlessly, ensuring you are ready to incentivize your founding team.

Comprehensive Post-Incorporation Toolkit

Receiving the Certificate of Incorporation is just the starting line. Within the first 30 to 180 days, you must open a bank account, appoint a statutory auditor (ADT-1), and file the Commencement of Business (INC-20A). We provide a complete post-incorporation execution service, handling these mandatory compliance milestones so you can focus entirely on product development and sales.

Government Fee Breakdown

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. All figures verified as of 25 August 2026.

Fee Component	Amount (₹)	Basis / Authority
Rni Registration Statutory Fee	₹0 - ₹1,000	Official government fee schedule (separate from professional fee)Statutory Authority
Total Government Fee	₹0 - ₹1,000	(for default assumptions stated below)

Government charges only — separate from I-Pro's professional fee. Verified 25 August 2026.

Required documents

Each list identifies exactly what to provide — and what you do not need to submit. Use the accordions to expand.

›**PAN** of the applicant (individual / entity). — **PAN** of the applicant (individual / entity).
›**Aadhaar** of the individual applicant / authorised signatory (individual) — mandatory e-KYC. — **Aadhaar** of the individual applicant / authorised signatory (individual) — mandatory e-KYC.
›For entities — **Certificate of Incorporation / Registration** + MOA / AOA / Trust Deed / Society Re — For entities — **Certificate of Incorporation / Registration** + MOA / AOA / Trust Deed / Society Registration Certificate.
›**Declaration by the printer and publisher** — Form 1 Annexure A — specifying the printing press add — **Declaration by the printer and publisher** — Form 1 Annexure A — specifying the printing press address, ownership, types of printing equipment.
›**Press / printing press registration** (if the press is owned by the applicant) — separate from per — **Press / printing press registration** (if the press is owned by the applicant) — separate from periodical registration under Section 4 of PRP Act
›**Title** proposed (3 alternative titles in order of preference) — verified through Press Sewa porta — **Title** proposed (3 alternative titles in order of preference) — verified through Press Sewa portal.
›**Language** of the periodical. — **Language** of the periodical.
›**Place of publication** with full address. — **Place of publication** with full address.
›**Frequency** (daily / weekly / fortnightly / monthly / quarterly). — **Frequency** (daily / weekly / fortnightly / monthly / quarterly).
›**Editor's name, address, qualifications** + declaration. — **Editor's name, address, qualifications** + declaration.
›**Owner / publisher's name, address** + declaration. — **Owner / publisher's name, address** + declaration.
›**Bank account details** of the publishing entity (for filing of fee via Press Sewa portal). — **Bank account details** of the publishing entity (for filing of fee via Press Sewa portal).
›**Photograph** of the applicant / authorised signatory. — **Photograph** of the applicant / authorised signatory.
›**Foreign shareholding declaration** — if any FDI, declaration that FDI is within 26% cap. — **Foreign shareholding declaration** — if any FDI, declaration that FDI is within 26% cap.

How it works

Each step is labelled with who performs it — Customer, I-Pro, or the Regulator. Form names are linked to the official portal.

1
Customer⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 1: **Customer / I-Pro**
**Customer / I-Pro**: Verify eligibility (Indian entity, FDI within 26% cap).
2
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 2: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Create applicant login on **Press Sewa Portal** (https://prs.nic.in) — Aadhaar-based e-KYC.
3
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 3: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Apply for **Title Verification** — **Form 1** with 3 alternative titles.
4
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 4: **Press Registrar General**
**Press Registrar General**: Title verification — within **30 days** of application; if title is unique and not similar to any registered periodical — title reserved for **1 year** (extendable by 6 months).
5
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 5: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Within the reservation period, apply for **Registration** — **Form 2** with full particulars of the periodical (language, frequency, place of publication, printer / publisher / editor details).
6
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 6: **Press Registrar General**
**Press Registrar General**: Scrutiny — within **60 days** of receipt of Form 2; Press Registrar General may seek clarification / objection; if no objection — issue **Certificate of Registration (Form 3)** under Section 9.
7
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 7: **System**
**System**: Registration certificate uploaded on Press Sewa portal; intimation sent to the publisher.
8
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 8: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: On receipt of certificate, commence publication of the periodical.
9
I-Pro⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 9: **I-Pro / Publisher**
**I-Pro / Publisher**: File **Annual Statement Form 6** by 31 May every year — circulation, ownership, printing particulars.
10
Regulator⏱ 1 - 3 Days
Step 10: **I-Pro**
**I-Pro**: Brief customer on Section 17 (annual statement), Section 20 (suspension / cancellation grounds), and Section 26 (penalty for unregistered publication).

Post-registration compliance

What to file next. I-Pro handles these as part of the annual compliance package.

Filing	Form	Deadline
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A) Penalty: ₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)	`One-time mandatory`	Within 180 days of incorporation after bank capital deposit
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1) Penalty: Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers	`5-year tenure`	Within 30 days of incorporation by Board of Directors
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 30 days of AGM (by 29 October annually)
Annual Return (Form MGT-7) Penalty: ₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling	`Annual`	Within 60 days of AGM (by 29 November annually)
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC) Penalty: ₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation	`Annual`	Every designated partner / director holding active DIN by 30 September

Penalties for non-compliance

Statutory penalties under governing regulatory provisions. Avoid non-compliance delays.

Non-compliance	Provision	Penalty
Commencement of Business (Form INC-20A)	One-time mandatory	₹50,000 for company + ₹1,000/day for directors (max ₹1 Lakh)
First Auditor Appointment (Form ADT-1)	5-year tenure	Statutory non-compliance; prosecution of defaulting officers
Annual Financial Statements (Form AOC-4)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Annual Return (Form MGT-7)	Annual	₹100 per day of delay per form with no statutory ceiling
Director KYC Verification (DIR-3 KYC)	Annual	₹5,000 statutory fee per DIN + deactivation

Common mistakes to avoid

Avoidable filing errors that cause delays or rejection. Each can be resolved before submission.

1
Mismatched applicant legal name or identity details across KYC proofs
Why: Government verification APIs cross-check with UIDAI and MCA databases and automatically flag discrepancies in spelling or dates.
Fix: Our specialists pre-validate your documents against official government databases before portal filing.
2
Submitting outdated utility bills or non-notarized commercial leases
Why: Premises proofs older than 60 days or defective landlord NOCs trigger statutory scrutiny queries and multi-week processing delays.
Fix: We verify recent billing dates and provide pre-formatted, legally vetted landlord NOC and lease formats.
3
Selecting incorrect classification, turnover slab, or statutory activity code
Why: Applications filed under inappropriate classifications attract show-cause notices and potential rejection without statutory fee refund.
Fix: We conduct a statutory scope assessment to align your application with the exact regulatory requirements.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about this service.

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