# Newspaper advertising in India: booking, rates and INS accreditation

> To advertise in an Indian newspaper, you choose the papers, editions, size, position and dates; your agency confirms rates, issues a release order and sends artwork to the paper’s specifications; the ad runs and you receive a copy of the published page. An agency accredited by the Indian Newspaper Society (INS) is recognised by member publications and works within the Society’s credit and conduct rules.

URL: https://mmadvertising.org/insights/newspaper-advertising-ins-accreditation/  
Updated: 2026-10-07

## What the INS is

The Indian Newspaper Society, based at INS Buildings, Rafi Marg, New Delhi, describes itself as the central organisation of the press of India. Its members are newspaper and periodical publishers, and it works to promote and safeguard their business interests.

## What INS accreditation means

The Society runs an institutionalised system of accreditation for advertising agencies. Its rules governing accreditation were first adopted in 1943 and have been updated since. Accredited agencies can access certain facilities from member publications, and the Society enforces its rules so that agencies pay within the allowed credit period and do not offer unauthorised commissions or discounts. The Society’s annual Press Handbook lists member publications and accredited agencies.

For an advertiser this means the agency is recognised by INS member publications and is held to the Society’s rules. MM Advertising has been INS accredited since 1998.

## Types of newspaper ads

- **Display ads** placed among the news pages, priced by area and position.
- **Classified ads**, grouped by category, as text lines or small display boxes.
- **Notices and tenders**: legal, public and tender notices, often in their own sections.
- **Supplements and advertorials**: special features around a theme or an event.
- **Jackets and wraps**: a page that wraps the front of the paper.
- **Inserts**: leaflets placed inside the paper for chosen areas.

## How rates are set

The rate depends on the publication, the edition (city, state or national), colour or black and white, the size, the position, the day of the week, and any package across editions. Display ads are usually priced by area, per square centimetre or per column centimetre depending on the paper. Publishers publish rate cards; the final rate depends on the dates and the volume booked.

## Booking, step by step

1. Choose the papers and editions where your audience reads.
2. Choose the size, position and dates.
3. Confirm the rates and issue a release order.
4. Send artwork to the paper’s specifications, ahead of its deadline.
5. The ad runs on the date.
6. Receive proof: a copy of the published page, or the e-paper page, for each edition.

## Hindi and English dailies in Uttar Pradesh

Hindi dailies such as Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala and Hindustan carry the widest reach in the state, with many city and district editions. English dailies such as The Times of India and Hindustan Times reach city readers. Choosing editions lets you target districts without paying for the whole state.

## How we can help

MM Advertising books display ads, classifieds, notices and supplements across India from Lucknow. See [newspaper advertising and PR](https://mmadvertising.org/services/newspaper-advertising/).

## Questions

### What is INS accreditation?

Accreditation by the Indian Newspaper Society recognises an advertising agency with member publications, gives it access to facilities such as credit from those publications, and holds it to the Society’s rules on payment and discounts.

### How are newspaper ads priced in India?

By publication, edition, size, position, colour and day, usually per square centimetre or per column centimetre for display ads, from the publisher’s rate card.

### How do I get proof that my newspaper ad ran?

Ask your agency for a copy of the published page, or the e-paper page, for every edition and date booked.

## Sources

- [Functions of the Indian Newspaper Society](https://www.indiannewspapersociety.in/functions_ins.php)
- [Indian Newspaper Society](https://www.indiannewspapersociety.in/)

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MM Advertising, SF-8, ABC Complex, 6 Quinton Road, Lucknow 226001, Uttar Pradesh, India. Phone +91 93355 51113, +91 93362 22242. Email mm.advertising@gmail.com. https://mmadvertising.org/