#e4mExclusive:  Print circulation inches up 2% in H2 2025

India’s print industry recorded a modest uptick in circulation during the second half of 2025, signalling resilience even as underlying trends remain mixed.

According to data from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) shared exclusively with e4m, total circulation for the July–December 2025 period stood at 2.91 crore copies. 

“On a like-to-like basis—factoring in the same number of editions as filed in the previous audit period—the industry added around 5.6 lakh copies, translating into a growth of approximately 2%”, sources told e4m.

While detailed data and publication-wise details are yet to be disseminated, it has emerged that key language segments, including English, Hindi, Kannada and Punjabi, led the gains, collectively registering a growth of around 3% (approximately 6.18 lakh copies), while the rest of the market remained largely stable.

The H2 2025 performance follows a similar trend seen earlier in the year. In the January–June 2025 period, ABC-certified daily newspaper circulation rose 2.77% to 29.74 million average qualifying copies, up from 28.94 million in the July–December 2024 cycle.

Taken together, the data points to a steady, albeit moderate, recovery for print, indicating that circulation continues to hold ground despite shifting consumption patterns and the sustained growth of digital platforms.

Mohit Jain, Vice Chairperson of ABC, remarked, “The growth reflected in the latest audit results reaffirms the enduring strength of print as a trusted medium. At a time when credibility is paramount, due to growing concern on misinformation, industry’s commitment to authentic and responsible journalism is being recognized and rewarded by readers.”

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