I&B Ministry
DPIIT to issue clarification on capping FDI in digital media
MUMBAI: Amid certain stakeholders raise concern over government’s decision to allow 26 per cent FDI in digital media sector, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is likely to issue a clarification soon on the same, Economic Times reported.
According to some stakeholders, the idea to cap FDI (foreign direct investment) in digital media sector to 26 per cent must be clarified by government as these stakeholders, who were looking to raise funds through FDI is now put on hold.
There are two main concerns stakeholders have raised and sought clarification: 1) How the FDI policy of the sector would treat news aggregators, and 2) what would happen to those digital media companies where overseas investment is over 26 per cent
Taking the views of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry on the issue, the DPIIT is expected to issue clarification shortly, Economic Times said quoting sources.
In this regard, Deloitte India partner Jehil Thakkar had said that the clarity needed was on how to treat cases of television broadcasters that stream news online, but are allowed 49 per cent FDI.
He questioned, “What happens to those, whether they qualify fewer than 26 per cent or 49 per cent (FDI)? What happens to news websites which are 100 per cent foreign entity?”
I&B Ministry
Press Sewa Portal digitises 1.5 lakh records, streamlines periodical registrations: MIB
Online system spans 780 districts; Rs 5.6 crore penalties, 88,315 titles cancelled
NEW DELHI: India’s print media registry has quietly moved from dusty files to digital dashboards. The government has digitised more than 1.5 lakh historical records of newspapers and periodicals and shifted registrations fully online through the Press Sewa Portal.
Introduced under the Press and Registration of Periodicals (PRP) Act, 2023, the portal now handles all applications for registering periodicals, replacing the earlier paper-heavy system created under the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867, which has since been repealed.
The digital shift brings a wide range of services onto a single platform. Publishers can now register new periodicals, revise registrations, transfer ownership, file annual statements, pay penalties online and apply for circulation verification without navigating government offices.
As part of the rollout, specified authorities in 780 districts across India have been onboarded onto the platform. Since 1 March 2024, the portal has processed 11,081 applications and issued certificates across different categories.
The transition has also brought stronger compliance. According to government data, Rs 5.63 crore in penalties has been collected through the portal so far. States such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh account for some of the largest penalty collections.
At the same time, the authorities have carried out a major clean-up of inactive or non-compliant publications. A total of 88,315 periodicals have been cancelled nationwide, with Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi among the states reporting the highest number of cancellations.
The government says the system will continue to evolve based on feedback from users. The Press Registrar General of India (PRGI) regularly reviews suggestions to improve services and make compliance easier for publishers.
The full list of registered newspapers and periodicals is available on the PRGI website under the Registered Titles section.
The information was shared in a written reply in the Lok Sabha by minister of state for information and broadcasting and parliamentary affairs L Murugan, responding to a question from Damodar Agrawal.
