ISBN and ISSN Registration in India: Process, Fees and Online Application

Author : Agile Regulatory | Published On : 07 Oct 2026

Publishers, authors, researchers and educational institutions often need a standard identification number for their publications. An ISBN is assigned to books, e-books, monographs and other standalone works, whereas an ISSN identifies continuing publications such as journals, magazines and newsletters. These numbers support cataloguing, distribution, library management and publication tracking. The application process depends on the publication type and the relevant Indian authority. Choosing the correct identifier helps prevent application errors and improves the publication’s professional credibility.

ISBN and ISSN Registration in India

ISBN registration and ISSN registration identify different types of publications. ISBN is used for books and monographs, while ISSN is used for continuing publications such as journals, magazines, newspapers and recurring newsletters.

ISBN vs ISSN

Feature	ISBN	ISSN
Full form	International Standard Book Number	International Standard Serial Number
Used for	Books and monographs	Journals and continuing publications
Examples	Novel, textbook, e-book, research report	Academic journal, magazine, newspaper
Number format	Usually 13 digits	Eight digits
Indian authority	Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN	ISSN National Centre, India
Format treatment	Separate ISBN for different editions and formats	Separate ISSN may apply to print and online versions
Government fee	Generally free in India	Free through the Indian ISSN Centre

What Is ISSN Registration?

ISSN registration is the process of obtaining an International Standard Serial Number for a continuing publication.

ISSN may be required for:

Academic journals.
Research journals.
Online journals.
Print journals.
Magazines.
Newspapers.
Newsletters.
Annual publications.
Continuing book series.
Institutional serial publications.
Conference serials.
Trade publications.

An ISSN identifies the serial publication as a whole. It does not identify every individual issue.

ISSN Number

An ISSN number contains eight digits, generally displayed in the format:

ISSN 1234-5678

The final digit is a check digit used to validate the number.

A separate ISSN may be assigned to:

Print version.
Online version.
CD or other separate medium.
Different medium of the same continuing publication.

The publisher should not use the same ISSN for separate print and online editions when separate identifiers are applicable.

ISSN Registration India

For ISSN registration India, publishers should apply through the ISSN National Centre, India, operated by the National Science Library under CSIR-NIScPR.

The ISSN International Centre identifies the Indian National Centre and provides its official contact details.[issn]

The Indian ISSN Centre provides an online application facility for journals and serial publications published from India. [1031]

ISSN Online Registration

The general ISSN online registration process includes:

Visit the official ISSN National Centre, India website.
Open the online ISSN application form.
Create or access the applicant account.
Enter publisher details.
Enter publication details.
Select print, online or another format.
Upload the required documents.
Submit the online form.
Keep the application reference details.
Respond to any clarification.
Receive the ISSN after approval.
Verify the assigned number on the ISSN Portal.

Applications should contain the exact publication title, publisher name, frequency, language, format and publication URL or sample issue.

How to Get an ISSN Number for a Journal in India

To understand how to get ISSN number for journal in India, the publisher should:

Finalise the journal title.
Create the journal website or prepare the first print issue.
Confirm the publication frequency.
Add an editorial board and publisher details.
Prepare the journal’s title page and publication information.
Visit the official ISSN National Centre, India portal.
Complete the online form.
Upload identity, address and publication documents.
Submit the application.
Respond to any ISSN Centre query.
Check the assigned ISSN on the ISSN Portal.
Display the ISSN on the journal after assignment.

The ISSN National Centre’s guidance states that online applicants should submit supporting documents and publication material according to whether the journal is print or online.

Documents Required for ISSN Registration

For a print journal

Common documents include:

Publisher address proof.
Publisher identity proof.
Completed application form.
Cover page.
Title page.
Editorial page.
Table of contents.
Sample issue.
Five or six original articles, where required.
Editorial-board details.
Editor affiliations.
Publication frequency.
Language details.
Publisher declaration.

For an online journal

Common documents include:

Publisher identity proof.
Publisher address proof.
Journal URL.
Website access details, where required.
Journal title.
Editorial-board information.
Editorial affiliations.
Publication frequency.
Language.
Online sample content.
Current or proposed issue information.
Temporary user ID and password for subscription-based journals, where required.

The ISSN India guidelines specify that print applicants should provide the cover, title page, editorial page and original articles, while online applicants should provide the publication URL.

ISSN Apply Online India

To ISSN apply online India, the publisher should use the official Indian ISSN Centre application route.

The applicant should ensure that:

The title is final.
The title is not misleading.
Publisher details are accurate.
The URL is active for an online journal.
Editorial-board information is complete.
The publication schedule is stated.
Print and online versions are identified separately.
The application is submitted completely.
All uploaded files are readable.

An ISSN application may be considered before publication where the project is sufficiently advanced and the required information is available. [1024]

ISSN Registration Fee

The ISSN number is assigned free of charge by the National Science Library, ISSN National Centre, India.

Applicants should distinguish between:

Official ISSN assignment.
Optional printed ISSN registration certificate.
Professional consultancy fee.
Website or journal-development costs.
Editing and publishing costs.
Printing costs.

The ISSN Centre’s official guidance should be checked before making any payment for an optional certificate or related service.

ISSN Registration Certificate

After the ISSN is assigned, the publisher may be able to obtain an ISSN registration certificate according to the applicable Indian Centre procedure.

The certificate may record:

ISSN.
Publication title.
Medium.
Publisher.
Country of publication.
Date of assignment.
Publication details.

The ISSN itself is the identifier. The certificate is supporting evidence and should not be confused with the ISSN number.

ISSN Registration vs ISBN Registration

Use ISBN registration when publishing:

A standalone book.
E-book.
Textbook.
Novel.
Monograph.
Research report.
Edited book.
Conference proceedings as a book.
Separate book edition.
Separate digital book format.

Use ISSN registration when publishing:

A continuing journal.
Magazine.
Newspaper.
Newsletter.
Online periodical.
Annual serial.
Research publication issued regularly.
Continuing book series.

A journal article does not normally receive an individual ISSN. The journal receives the ISSN.

ISSN for Print and Online Journals

A print journal and online journal may require separate ISSNs.

For example:

Print edition: P-ISSN.
Online edition: E-ISSN.

The publisher should provide separate information for each medium and apply according to the ISSN Centre’s instructions.

The ISSN International Centre states that ISSNs are assigned to publications issued by publishers located in the relevant country and that the first issue should be received for complete registration in the ISSN Portal. [1024]

ISSN Portal and Verification

After assignment, publishers and readers can verify publication details on the ISSN Portal.

Verification may show:

ISSN.
Title.
Medium.
Publisher.
Country.
Key publication details.
Status of the serial record.

Publishers should check the title and medium carefully before displaying the ISSN on the journal.

Displaying the ISSN

The ISSN should be displayed prominently on:

Journal cover.
Masthead.
Title page.
Copyright page.
Website.
Journal information page.
PDF issue.
Publication metadata.

The print and online ISSNs should be displayed against the correct medium.

ISSN Does Not Certify Journal Quality

ISSN registration:

Does not guarantee academic quality.
Does not guarantee peer review.
Does not confirm indexing.
Does not guarantee UGC-CARE, Scopus or Web of Science inclusion.
Does not provide copyright registration.
Does not certify the publisher.
Does not guarantee acceptance by an institution.
Does not replace plagiarism review.

The ISSN only identifies the continuing publication.

Common ISSN Registration Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

Applying for ISSN for a standalone book.
Using ISBN for a continuing journal.
Using the same ISSN for print and online versions without checking the rules.
Submitting an inactive website.
Providing inconsistent journal titles.
Omitting the editorial-board details.
Uploading incomplete publication samples.
Applying under a temporary or changing title.
Displaying an unassigned ISSN.
Confusing ISSN with indexing or accreditation.
Paying unofficial agents for a government-issued ISSN.
Failing to update material changes in title or medium.

How an ISSN Consultant Can Help

An ISSN registration consultant can assist with:

ISSN eligibility review.
ISSN online application.
Journal-title review.
Print and online format classification.
Document preparation.
Website and journal-content checklist.
Application submission.
Query response.
ISSN Portal verification.
ISSN certificate support.
ISBN versus ISSN classification.

The publisher should retain control over the application login, email and publication website.

Conclusion

ISSN registration in India is used to identify journals, magazines, newspapers, newsletters and other continuing publications. Publishers can complete ISSN online registration through the ISSN National Centre, India, by submitting publication, publisher, editorial and format details.

The ISSN itself is assigned free of charge by the Indian ISSN Centre. Publishers should select ISSN for continuing publications and ISBN for individual books or monographs. Print and online versions may require separate ISSNs, and the assigned number should be verified on the ISSN Portal before publication.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is ISSN registration?

ISSN registration is the process of obtaining an International Standard Serial Number for a continuing publication such as a journal or magazine.

2. How can I get an ISSN number for a journal in India?

Apply online through the ISSN National Centre, India, by submitting publisher details, journal information, editorial details, publication format and the required print or online material.

3. Is ISSN registration available online?

Yes. The Indian ISSN Centre provides an online application facility for journals and serials published from India. [1031]

4. What is the ISSN registration fee?

The ISSN number is assigned free of charge by the National Science Library, ISSN National Centre, India.

5. Can a book receive an ISSN?

A standalone book normally requires ISBN, not ISSN. ISSN is for continuing publications and serials.