ISSN Number Registration in India

If you publish a journal, magazine, newsletter, or any periodical publication in India, you have probably come across one requirement again and again: get an ISSN number. Whether you are an academic editor launching a research journal, a university department starting a departmental publication, or a magazine publisher going digital, ISSN registration in India is the identifier that makes your publication recognized, trackable, and indexable across the world.

This page explains exactly what an ISSN is, how to get an ISSN number for a journal in India, who is eligible, what documents you need, how much it costs, and what to expect at every step of the process.

What Is an ISSN Number?

ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number. It is an 8-digit code displayed in the format XXXX-XXXX that uniquely identifies a serial publication such as a journal, magazine, newspaper, newsletter, yearbook, or any periodical that continues over time. Think of an ISSN like an Aadhaar number, but for a publication instead of a person. Just as an Aadhaar number identifies one individual uniquely across India, an ISSN identifies one specific publication uniquely across the entire world. No two publications ever share the same ISSN. ISSNs are assigned by the ISSN International Centre in Paris, but the actual assignment for Indian publications is handled through India's own national body the National Centre for ISSN, India, which operates from the National Science Library at CSIR-NIScPR (National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research) in New Delhi.

A key detail many first-time applicants miss: a separate ISSN is required for each format of the same publication. If your journal is available both in print and online, you need two different ISSNs, one Print ISSN (p-ISSN) and one Online ISSN (e-ISSN).

Why Do You Need ISSN Registration in India?

1. Required for academic indexing. If you run an academic or research journal, an ISSN is essential for getting listed in bibliographic databases like Scopus, Web of Science, and DOAJ (Directory of Open Access Journals).
2. Required for UGC CARE listing. Academic journals in India seeking inclusion in the UGC CARE list a critical requirement for faculty research publications to count toward academic evaluations must have a valid ISSN.
3. Required for NAAS rating. Agricultural science journals need an ISSN to apply for a NAAS (National Academy of Agricultural Sciences) rating, which affects a journal's academic credibility.
4. Needed for library acquisitions. Libraries across India and internationally use ISSNs to catalogue, track, and acquire periodicals. Without one, your publication is far harder to discover and archive properly.
5. Required for government research grants. Many government funding bodies and research grant applications require the publication to carry a valid ISSN as a basic eligibility condition.
6. Builds publisher credibility. An ISSN signals that your publication is officially registered and recognized, something readers, contributors, and academic reviewers look for before trusting a new publication.

Who Needs an ISSN Number?

• Academic journal editors and university research publication teams
• University departments launching new research or departmental journals
• Magazine and newsletter publishers, print or digital
• Online/digital journal and e-magazine launches
• Newspapers and periodical news publications
• Government departments publishing periodic reports or bulletins
• NGOs and professional associations publishing regular newsletters or bulletins

Eligibility Criteria for ISSN Registration : What Your Publication Needs

• A clear, distinctive title. Your publication's title must be unique and not identical or confusingly similar to any title already registered in the Indian ISSN database or the international ISSN Portal (which holds over 2.8 million records worldwide).
• A defined scope and subject area. The publication should clearly state what subjects or themes it covers.
• A declared publication frequency. You must specify how often the publication comes out monthly, quarterly, biannually, annually, and so on. This regularity is central to what makes a publication a "serial" in the first place, as opposed to a one-off book or report.
• An editorial board. Most publishers are expected to show an identifiable editorial team, typically five or more named editorial board members especially for academic and research journals.
• A real, ready first issue. The ISSN National Centre expects that a significant portion of content for at least one issue is either already published or ready to be published. Applying with just an idea and no actual content is not sufficient.
• A verifiable publisher address. The address of the publisher must be genuine and verifiable, since this becomes the official imprint address tied to the ISSN registration.
• Imprint page details. For print publications, a proper imprint or title page showing publisher name, address, and other bibliographic details is required.

Documents Required for ISSN Registration

For both print and online publications :

• Self-attested copy of a recognised address proof of the publisher (Aadhaar card, Voter ID, Driving Licence, or Passport)
• Completed and signed ISSN application form (submitted both online and as a signed physical copy)
• Details of the editorial board members
• Declared publication frequency and subject scope

For a print publication specifically:

• A complete copy of the issue, or at minimum the cover page, title page, and editorial page
• Imprint page showing publisher details

For an online/digital publication specifically:

• Screenshots of the website or a live, working link to the active online publication
• Proof that the website clearly displays the journal's title, scope, editorial board, and contact details

Additional supporting material (where applicable):

• Proof of publisher's registered address (matching the address proof submitted)
• Evidence of at least one substantially completed or published issue

Incomplete applications are a major reason for rejection. The ISSN National Centre reserves the right not to process any request with missing information or documents, and incomplete or inaccurate forms are summarily rejected so it is worth double-checking every document before submission.

ISSN Number Registration Fee in India

The ISSN itself is assigned completely free of charge. The ISSN National Centre, India does not charge any government fee, application fee, or processing fee for assigning an ISSN to an eligible publication. The only official payment that can arise in the entire process is optional the ISSN Registration Certificate, which costs approximately Rs. 1,500 plus 18% GST (totalling around Rs. 1,770), payable to the Director, NIScPR, if you choose to obtain a formal printed certificate for your records.

If you choose to work with a consultant or compliance service to help prepare and file your application, they charge their own professional service fee separate from any government charge typically covering eligibility screening, title duplication checks, document preparation, and complete filing support. Since there is no official government fee for the ISSN itself, this professional fee is purely for the expertise and time saved in getting a fully compliant application submitted correctly the first time.

How Long Does ISSN Registration Take?

The ISSN assignment process typically takes a minimum of 30 working days. However, this is not a guaranteed maximum the timeline can extend if :

• Information or documents are missing from your application
• Your application involves a large number of publications being registered together
• The National Centre needs to raise clarifications about your title, editorial board, or eligibility

In practice, many applicants experience timelines extending anywhere from 30 to 60 working days depending on how complete and accurate the initial submission is.

Common Reasons ISSN Applications Get Rejected or Delayed

• Title duplication. Applying with a title that is identical or too similar to an already-registered publication in the Indian or international ISSN database is one of the most frequent causes of rejection.
• Incomplete first issue. Applying before you have a substantially ready or published first issue often results in the application being deferred until real content exists.
• Missing or unclear editorial board information. Academic and research journals in particular need to show a credible, identifiable editorial team.
• Incomplete documentation. Missing address proof, an unsigned physical form, or missing cover/title pages are common, avoidable errors that cause delay or outright rejection.
• Unclear or unverifiable publisher address. Since the ISSN is tied to a specific publisher imprint address, an address that cannot be verified creates problems during review.
• Website not properly set up (for online publications). For digital journals, an incomplete or unclear website missing the title, scope, editorial board, or contact information can cause the application to stall.

What Happens After You Get Your ISSN?

• The ISSN is permanent. There is no renewal requirement once assigned, it remains valid for the life of the publication in that specific format.
• One title, one ISSN per medium. The ISSN is tied to the exact title and format (print or online) of your publication. If your publication's title changes significantly, or you switch its nature entirely (for example, from a newsletter to a full-fledged magazine), a new ISSN may be required.
• Minor changes do not require a new ISSN. Changes such as a change of publisher, change of publication location, change of frequency, or change of editorial policy do not, by themselves, trigger the need for a new ISSN.
• Display the ISSN correctly. Once assigned, the ISSN should be displayed clearly on your publication's cover, title page, or masthead (for print), or prominently on the website (for online publications), typically alongside a barcode for print editions.
• Update your records with academic and library databases. With your ISSN in hand, you can proceed with applications to bibliographic databases, UGC CARE listing (for academic journals), and library acquisition systems.