News Broadcasting
Norms for FDI in non-news segment laid out
NEW DELHI: The long wait is over. Some global media companies like Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp, The National Geographic Society, the UK-based Pearson group and Australian Kerry Packer’s Consolidated Press Holdings can enter the Indian print sector in the non-news segment.
The government today formalised and issued the guidelines for FDI in technical, scientific, specialty magazines, journals, periodicals and foreign investment in Indian entities publishing scientific, technical, specialty magazines, journals.
The guidelines say an application will have to be made to the ministry of information and broadcasting in the prescribed format to determine the nature of contents of the publication. Application fee of Rs 5,000 shall have to be deposited through a demand draft in favour of the Pay & Accounts Officer, I&B ministry payable at New Delhi.
The Indian government had earlier this year decided to allow these publications and foreign investment upto 74 per cent in Indian entities publishing such technical and non-news journals on a case-by-case basis. FDI up to 26 per cent has been allowed in the news category, the guidelines of which will take some more time to be firmed up, a senior I&B ministry official told indiantelevision.com today.
The application shall be processed by the I&B ministry, after due inter-ministerial consultations, to decide whether the proposed publication is covered under the category of scientific, technical or specialty magazine, periodical, journal, according to a statement issued by the Press Information Bureau on behalf of the I&B ministry.
Representatives of the ministries/specialist bodies and language experts concerned, as found necessary, will be associated in this task.
Global media companies like News Corp, CPH and even the Pearson group (publishers of the Financial Times seeking a tie-up with India’s business daily Business Standard) have various publications which can fall under this category and may have a market in India through their Indian editions.
As per the government statement, in appropriate cases, the I&B ministry will issue an approval, subject to compliance with the provisions of the Press and Registration of Books Act and Rules made thereunder for publication of the foreign journals or `No Objection’ certificate for foreign investment, a copy of which would be sent to RNI/SIA/RBI and the applicant.
Determination of category assigned to the publication(s) is liable for review by the I&B ministry if the contents of the publication(s) undergo change at a later date. Title verification shall continue to be done by the Press Registrar as per existing procedure.
In cases where both FDI and FII investment is envisaged, the applicant may approach the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) and/or the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for clearance after obtaining the NoC from the I&B ministry.
In cases involving only portfolio investment, the applicant may approach the RBI, for further clearance, if any, after obtaining the NoC from the ministry which will keep the Secretariat for Industrial Assistance and the RBI informed of the FDI projected by the company and the balance permissible foreign investment on the portfolio investment route, while communicating the NoC.
Total foreign investment up to 74 per cent may be allowed. Guidelines of the ministry of finance on FDI and portfolio investment would apply subject to the overall ceiling of 74 per cent as mentioned. All cases involving foreign investment shall be handled by the prescribed agencies, viz. FDI on the Government approval route through the mechanism of the FIPB and portfolio investment by the RBI.
News Broadcasting
Kamlesh Singh receives Haldi Ghati Award from MMCF
India Today Group editor honoured for three decades of journalism at Udaipur ceremony.
MUMBAI- Kamlesh Singh just turned a lifetime of sharp words into a shiny shield because when journalism wakes up a society, even the Maharana of Mewar wants to pin a medal on it.
The Maharana of Mewar Charitable Foundation (MMCF) conferred its prestigious Haldi Ghati Award on Kamlesh Singh, a senior editor at the India Today Group, during a ceremony in Udaipur on 15 March 2026. The national award, instituted in 1981-82, recognises “work of permanent value that initiates an awakening in society through the medium of journalism.”
Singh, who leads several editorial initiatives including Aaj Tak Radio, the Teen Taal community and The Lallantop, was presented the honour by Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar, Managing Trustee of MMCF. The citation highlighted his three decades of contributions to Indian media, innovations in digital journalism, mentoring young reporters, and his popular podcast persona “Tau” on Teen Taal, which fosters thoughtful public discourse.
The Haldi Ghati Award, named after the historic Battle of Haldighati symbolising valour and resilience, is one of four national awards given annually by MMCF. Past recipients include Tavleen Singh, Piyush Pandey and Raj Chengappa.
Other honourees this year included Padma Vibhushan Pt Hari Prasad Chaurasia, Vedamurti Devvrat Rekhe, Treeman of India Marimuthu Yoganathan, Vir Chakra Capt Rizwan Malik, and US-based researcher Molly Emma Aitken, who received the Colonel James Tod Award for contributions to understanding Mewar’s spirit and values.
In an era where headlines often shout louder than substance, the MMCF quietly reminded everyone that real journalism isn’t about noise, it’s about the quiet, persistent work that stirs society awake, one thoughtful story at a time.
