ABC Circulation Data 2026: Who gained, who lost in India’s newspaper market?

India's major newspapers reported divergent circulation trends in the January–June 2026 audit period, with gains across several Hindi, English and regional-language publications offset by declines in others, according to an analysis of Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) data accessed by exchange4media.

A year-on-year comparison with January–June 2025 shows Dainik Jagran recording an increase of nearly 96,000 copies, while Malayala Manorama registered a decline of over one lakh copies. Divya Bhaskar, the Gujarati daily owned by D B Corp Ltd, reported growth of more than 6%, while Hindustan, The Times of India and Hindustan Times recorded more modest increases.

However, the picture changes when January–June 2026 is compared with the immediately preceding audit period of July–December 2025. While Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala and Hindustan registered sequential gains, several other publications, including TOI, HT, Malayala Manorama and Divya Bhaskar, recorded declines.

The differences highlight the uneven circulation performance of major newspaper publications and the importance of examining both year-on-year and sequential changes.

Year-on-year: Dainik Jagran gains, Hindi newspapers report mixed performance

Among the leading Hindi newspapers, Dainik Jagran registered one of the strongest year-on-year increases in absolute circulation.

Its average qualifying sales rose from 23,53,778 copies in January–June 2025 to 24,49,456 copies in January–June 2026, an increase of 95,678 copies, or 4.06%.

Hindustan, the Hindi daily published by HT Media, also recorded growth. Its circulation increased from 14,63,341 copies to 14,83,381 copies, adding 20,040 copies, or 1.37%.

However, other major Hindi publications reported declines over the same period.

Amar Ujala's average qualifying sales fell from 15,50,356 copies in January–June 2025 to 15,26,679 copies in January–June 2026, a reduction of 23,677 copies, or 1.53%.

Dainik Bhaskar's Hindi circulation marginally declined from 30,40,724 copies to 30,23,109 copies, a decrease of 17,615 copies, or 0.58%.

Rajasthan Patrika recorded average qualifying sales of 12,12,209 copies in January–June 2026, compared with 12,44,708 copies in January–June 2025, a year-on-year decline of 2.61%.

Regional newspapers: Divya Bhaskar grows, Malayala Manorama declines

Among regional-language newspapers, Divya Bhaskar recorded average qualifying sales of 4,90,155 copies in January–June 2026, compared with 4,60,989 copies in the corresponding period of 2025, registering growth of 6.33%. Malayala Manorama, however, reported a decline of 6.42%, from 15,90,529 copies to 14,88,495 copies.

English newspapers: TOI and HT grow, Economic Times declines

Among the leading English newspapers, The Times of India and Hindustan Times registered modest year-on-year increases, while The Economic Times reported a decline.

TOI's average qualifying sales rose from 16,40,418 copies in January–June 2025 to 16,58,970 copies in January–June 2026, an increase of 18,552 copies, or 1.13%.

Hindustan Times recorded circulation of 6,32,321 copies, compared with 6,19,280 copies in the corresponding period of 2025. The increase of 13,041 copies translates into growth of 2.11%.

The Economic Times, however, saw circulation decline from 2,55,567 copies to 2,50,528 copies, a reduction of 5,039 copies, or 1.97%.

At the group level, the Times of India Group recorded circulation of 28,09,335 copies, compared with 28,03,939 copies in January–June 2025, representing marginal growth of 0.19%.

The HT Group's circulation increased from 20,82,621 copies to 21,15,702 copies, a rise of 33,081 copies, or 1.59%.

These figures show that individual publication movements and consolidated group performance did not always follow identical patterns.

Sequential comparison: Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala and Hindustan gain; TOI and HT decline

A comparison with July–December 2025 reveals contrasting trends among major newspapers. While Dainik Jagran, Amar Ujala and Hindustan  registered gains, The Times of India, Hindustan Times and Dainik Bhaskar recorded declines.

Among Hindi newspapers, Dainik Jagran registered an increase from 23,33,313 copies to 24,49,456 copies, adding 1,16,143 copies, or 4.98%.

Amar Ujala's circulation increased from 14,89,970 copies to 15,26,679 copies, a gain of 36,709 copies, or 2.46%.

Hindustan  also recorded growth, with average qualifying sales rising from 14,65,947 copies to 14,83,381 copies, an increase of 17,434 copies, or 1.19%.

However, Dainik Bhaskar's Hindi circulation declined from 30,50,064 copies to 30,23,109 copies, a reduction of 26,955 copies, or 0.88%.

Rajasthan Patrika's circulation declined from 12,40,340 copies in July–December 2025 to 12,12,209 copies in January–June 2026, a reduction of 28,131 copies, or 2.27%.

English and regional newspapers decline sequentially

Among English newspapers, The Times of India reported a sequential decline of 9.73%, with circulation falling from 18,37,884 copies in July–December 2025 to 16,58,970 copies in January–June 2026.

Hindustan Times recorded a sharper decline of 14.79%, with average qualifying sales falling from 7,42,091 copies to 6,32,321 copies.

The Economic Times reported a smaller sequential decline of 1.50%, with circulation falling from 2,54,343 copies to 2,50,528 copies.

Among regional-language publications, Malayala Manorama recorded a decline of 2.93%, from 15,33,446 copies to 14,88,495 copies.

Divya Bhaskar's circulation declined from 5,02,019 copies to 4,90,155 copies, a reduction of 11,864 copies, or 2.36%, despite recording year-on-year growth.

At the group level, the Times of India Group's average qualifying sales declined from 30,13,816 copies to 28,09,335 copies, a reduction of 2,04,481 copies, or 6.78%.

The HT Group recorded a decline from 22,08,038 copies to 21,15,702 copies, a reduction of 92,336 copies, or 4.18%.

The Dainik Bhaskar Group, comprising its Hindi, Gujarati and Marathi publications, reported a sequential decline of 1.11%, with circulation falling from 35,66,701 copies to 35,26,989 copies.

Circulation trends vary across periods and publications

Dainik Jagran and Hindustan recorded gains on both year-on-year and sequential measures, while Amar Ujala declined year-on-year but improved compared with the preceding six months. TOI and HT recorded the opposite pattern, registering modest year-on-year growth but sharper sequential declines. Divya Bhaskar reported year-on-year growth despite a sequential decline, while Malayala Manorama and The Economic Times recorded declines on both measures.