Vidhi Codex

Bare Act

The Press or Pustak Ragistrikaran Adhiniyam, 1867

General186749 sections

This law regulates the operation of printing presses and the publication of books and newspapers across India. It applies to press owners, printers, publishers, and newspaper editors. Under the statute, publishers and press keepers must submit formal declarations to local magistrates disclosing details such as ownership, printing locations, language, and publication schedules. Publishers must legibly print printer and publisher names on all works, deliver complimentary copies of books and newspapers to designated government authorities, and update the Press Registrar. By establishing legal accountability and maintaining a centralized national registry of publications, the law ensures transparency and administrative oversight of print media.

Start reading →Read full ActSections
  1. 1. Interpretation-clause
  2. 2. Act not to extend to certain books [Repealed]
  3. 3. Particulars to be printed on books and papers
  4. 4. Keeper of printing-press to make declaration
  5. 5. Rules as to publication of newspapers
  6. 5A. Keepers of printing-presses and editors of newspapers in Jammu and Kashmir to make and subscribe declarations within specified period
  7. 6. Authentication of declaration
  8. 7. Office copy of declaration to be prima facie evidence
  9. 8. New declaration by persons who have signed declaration and subsequently ceased to be printers or publishers
  10. 8A. Person whose name has been incorrectly published as editor may make a declaration before a Magistrate
  11. 8B. Cancellation of declaration
  12. 8C. Appeal
  13. 9. Copies of books printed after commencement of Act to be delivered gratis to Government
  14. 10. Receipt for copies delivered under section 9
  15. 11. Disposal of copies delivered under section 9
  16. 11A. Copies of newspapers printed in India to be delivered gratis to Government
  17. 11B. Copies of newspapers to be delivered to Press Registrar
  18. 12. Penalty for printing contrary to rule in section 3
  19. 13. Penalty for keeping printing presses without making declaration required by section 4
  20. 14. Penalty for making false statement
  21. 15. Penalty for non-compliance with rules for printing or publishing newspaper
  22. 15A. Penalty for failure to make declaration under section 8
  23. 16. Penalty for not delivering books or not supplying printer with maps
  24. 16A. Penalty for failure to supply copies of newspapers gratis to Government
  25. 16B. Penalty for failure to supply copies of newspapers to Press Registrar
  26. 17. Recovery of forfeitures and disposal thereof and of fines
  27. 18. Registration of memoranda of books
  28. 19. Publication of memoranda registered
  29. 19A. Appointment of Press Registrar and other officers
  30. 19B. Register of newspapers
  31. 19C. Certificate of registration
  32. 19D. Annual statement, etc., to be furnished by newspapers
  33. 19E. Returns and reports to be furnished by newspapers
  34. 19F. Right of access to records and documents
  35. 19G. Annual Report
  36. 19H. Furnishing of copies of extracts from Register
  37. 19I. Delegation of powers
  38. 19J. Press Registrar and other officers to be public servants
  39. 19K. Penalty for contravention of section 19D or section 19E, etc.
  40. 19L. Penalty for improper disclosure of information
  41. 19T. Penalty for contravention of section 19D or section 19E, etc.
  42. 19U. Penalty for improper disclosure of information
  43. 20. Power of State Government to make rules
  44. 20A. Power of Central Government to make rules
  45. 20B. Rules made under this Act may provide for punishment
  46. 21. Power to exclude any class of books from operation of Act
  47. 22. Extent
  48. 23. [Repealed]
  49. Schedule. Form of Declaration

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