Primary law, Tamil Nadu land law
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023
Parliament enacted the Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023, Act No. 51 of 2023, dated 28 December 2023, to regulate printing presses and the registration and publication of periodicals throughout India. The Act commenced on 1 March 2024 and applies in Tamil Nadu, but it does not regulate land ownership or property transactions.
What the Act governs
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 establishes a national framework for printing presses and periodicals, including newspapers. It covers registration, title approval, ownership transfers, changes to registration details, annual statements, suspension or cancellation, penalties and appeals.
A periodical is a regularly printed publication containing public news or comments on public news. Books and scientific, technical or academic journals are excluded from this definition. Printing means mass production through any technology, but does not include photocopying.
Who is affected
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 mainly affects:
- Owners, publishers, printers and editors of periodicals.
- Owners or keepers of printing presses that print periodicals.
- Indian citizens and entities incorporated and registered in India that bring out periodicals.
- Publishers seeking to print a facsimile edition of a foreign periodical in India.
- District Magistrates, Collectors or other officers specified by the State Government as the specified authority.
A person convicted of an offence involving a terrorist act, unlawful activity or an act against the security of the State cannot bring out a periodical.
Key requirements and powers
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 provides that:
- Every printer of a periodical must give prescribed information through the online portal to the Press Registrar General of India and the relevant specified authority.
- Every publisher must obtain a registration certificate through an online application authorised by the owner.
- A proposed title cannot be the same as or similar to another owner's title in the same language anywhere in India, or in another language within the same State.
- The specified authority has sixty days to provide a no objection or comments, except for periodicals proposed by the Central Government, a State Government or an authority under such Government.
- Periodicals printed in India must show the printer, printing place, editor, publisher and publication place legibly.
- Publication must begin within twelve months from the end of the month in which registration was issued, failing which registration may be cancelled and the title withdrawn.
- Changes to registration details or title require an application to the Press Registrar General of India.
- Transfer of ownership requires an application, prescribed documents, particulars and applicable fee.
Relevance to land and property
The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 does not change land title, planning permission, building approval or property registration. However, a person operating a periodical business from premises may be affected because the Press Registrar General of India can enter the business premises at a reasonable time to inspect or copy relevant records and verify circulation figures.
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Common questions
Does this Act affect buying or selling property in Tamil Nadu?
No property transaction requirement appears in the Act. It governs printing presses, periodicals and their registration throughout India.
Must a Tamil Nadu publisher register a periodical?
Yes. The publisher must apply online, with the owner's authorisation, to the Press Registrar General of India and the specified authority for the area where the periodical is proposed to be published.
Can officials inspect premises used for a periodical business?
Yes. The Press Registrar General of India may enter premises where the periodical business is carried on at a reasonable time to inspect or copy relevant records and obtain information for circulation verification.
Can a foreign periodical be reproduced and printed in India?
A facsimile edition of a foreign periodical may be printed in India only with prior approval from the Central Government and registration with the Press Registrar General of India.
