I&B Ministry
I&B ministry’s print media advertisement policy 2020: BOC to empanel publications suitable for issuing ads
NEW DELHI: The information and broadcasting ministry issued the print media advertisement policy 2020, effective from 1 August 2020. The objective of the policy guidelines is to maintain a list of approved publications for release of advertisements by empanelling acceptable publications. The bureau of communication and outreach (BOC) will empanel publications which are found suitable for the issue of advertisements of the government of India.
Publications have been divided into three categories: small publications (circulation up to 25,000 copies per publishing day), medium publications (circulation between 25,001 and 75,000 copies per publishing day) and big publications (circulation of above 75,000 copies per publishing day).
The policy further explains the procedure of empanelment of publication. It states that there shall be a panel advisory committee (PAC) for considering applications of publications: The composition of the committee will be additional director general (MR & C), BOC- chairman; additional director general (media & communication) in the press information bureau (PIB) – member; press registrar/additional press registrar- member; director/deputy secretary/under secretary in the ministry of information and broadcasting dealing with print media – member; additional director general/director, BOC, in charge of print media policy as convener/member secretary and one representative each from the big, medium and small category of newspapers nominated by the ministry of information and broadcasting–non-official member. The tenure of the non-official member of the PAC would be two years from the date of their nomination by the government.
The guideline discusses the advertising rates too. It says that the rate structure for advertisements against advertisements released by BOC will be worked out as per recommendations of the rate structure committee. The rates will be related to certified circulation of a publication. It further states that the payment against advertisements released by BOC will be worked out as per rate for advertisements in print media issued by the ministry of information and broadcasting dated 8 January 2019 or any subsequent order in this regard. The rates for advertisements by Maharatna and Navratna public sector undertakings (PSUs) will be 1.5 times the normal BOC rates. For advertisements of other PSUs, normal BOC rates will apply. And lastly, it says that the rates will be valid for three years from the date of revision.
In the rate contract section, the draft further reads that all empanelled publications will enter into rate contract with BOC on the basis of rate offered and other terms and conditions, as laid down from time to time, to ensure proper and timely publication of BOC advertisements. The rate contract will be valid for a period of two years.
It specifies if the publication is found to have deliberately submitted false information regarding circulation or If the publication is found to have discontinued its publication, changed its periodicity or its title or have become irregular in publication or changed its address of publication without due intimation and more then it can be suspended from empanelment by Pr. DG/DG, BOC with immediate effect for a period up to twelve months.
I&B Ministry
Prasar Bharati opens AIR to private content under new policy
NIPP introduces revenue share, sponsored and gratis models
MUMBAI: Radio may be the oldest voice in the room, but it’s learning some very modern tricks. In a bid to stay tuned to changing listener habits, Prasar Bharati has opened the doors of All India Radio to private players under a newly rolled-out content framework. The initiative, titled Notice Inviting Programme Proposals (NIPP), marks a significant shift in how the public broadcaster approaches programming moving from a largely in-house model to a more collaborative, market-aligned ecosystem. Issued by Akashvani’s Directorate General in April 2026, the policy invites private producers, content owners and aggregators to pitch programmes across formats, from radio dramas and documentaries to quiz shows, storytelling and music-led content.
At the heart of the framework lies a three-pronged participation model designed to balance creative freedom with commercial viability. The most prominent route is revenue sharing, where advertising and sponsorship income generated by a programme is split between the producer and the broadcaster. The structure tilts in favour of creators offering a 70:30 split when producers bring in advertising, and 65:35 when monetisation is handled by Prasar Bharati.
Alongside this sits the sponsored model, where producers fully fund and monetise their content, subject to compliance with advertising norms and the AIR Broadcast Code. For those less commercially inclined, a gratis route allows content to be submitted free of cost, with Prasar Bharati retaining all monetisation rights effectively turning the platform into a national distribution channel for diverse voices.
The move comes as legacy media grapples with intensifying competition from private FM networks, streaming platforms and digital audio ecosystems. By repositioning AIR as both a public service broadcaster and a content marketplace, Prasar Bharati appears to be recalibrating its role in a rapidly evolving media landscape.
Importantly, the framework does not dilute editorial control. All submissions must adhere to the AIR Broadcast Code, and proposals are evaluated through a layered process that weighs storytelling quality, production capability, audience appeal and revenue potential. Only proposals crossing a defined threshold move forward, signalling that while access has widened, the bar remains firmly in place.
Operational discipline is another cornerstone of the policy. Producers are required to maintain broadcast-ready content, deliver episode banks in advance and navigate a structured approval process. Crucially, all production costs are borne by the content provider, reinforcing Prasar Bharati’s positioning as a distribution and oversight platform rather than a commissioning entity.
What elevates the initiative further is its scale. The framework spans multiple clusters and stations across India, covering both metro and regional markets, with specific language mandates and submission channels. This not only expands the content pipeline but also deepens linguistic and cultural representation, an area where AIR has historically held an advantage.
In effect, NIPP signals a quiet but meaningful transformation. AIR is no longer just broadcasting to the nation, it is inviting the nation to broadcast with it, blending legacy reach with contemporary content economics in a bid to stay relevant in an increasingly fragmented audio universe.
