ISSN Number
The full form of ISSN is International Standard Serial Number, an eight-digit unique identifier used to distinguish serial publications such as magazines, journals, newspapers, and other periodicals worldwide.
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What is an ISSN Number?
The full form of ISSN is International Standard Serial Number, an eight-digit unique identifier used to distinguish serial publications such as magazines, journals, newspapers, and other periodicals worldwide. It helps libraries, databases, and publishers manage and catalog serials efficiently. The ISSN ensures that each serial publication can be easily identified and accessed without confusion, especially when titles are similar or change over time.
In India, the use of ISSN is growing rapidly, with over 20,000 serial publications registered as of 2024, reflecting the expansion of the media and academic publishing sectors. The ISSN is assigned by the ISSN National Centre of India, which operates under the National Science Library (CSIR-NIScPR), ensuring compliance with international ISSN standards set by the ISSN International Centre based in Paris.
Eligibility Criteria
Active Website/Platform: The online version must be accessible and active.
Imprint Page: Should display the publishers name, address, and contact details.
Editorial Board/Team: Information about the editorial board or responsible individuals should be present.
Clear Scope/Aim: The publications objective, scope, and target audience must be well-defined.
Regular Frequency: Must indicate a clear and consistent publishing frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually).
Content: Must have some content already published or clear evidence of forthcoming content relevant to the stated scope.
Unique Title: The proposed title must be unique and not deceptively similar to an existing serial.
Clear Publishing Frequency: A defined periodicity (e.g., monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, annual).
Scope and Objectives: A clear statement of the journals aims, scope, and topics covered.
Editorial Board/Peer Review Process: Details of the editorial team and, for scholarly journals, a clear description of the peer-review process (if applicable).
Contact Information: Complete publisher details, including name, address, and contact.
No Single Article Submission: Publications that contain only one or two articles and claim to be a journal will not be assigned an ISSN. It must be a serial publication.
Documents Required
Registration Process
Step 1: Prepare Your Publication & Documents
Before you even touch the online portal, ensure your serial publication meets the core eligibility criteria. This means having a clear title, defined scope, consistent publication frequency, an editorial board, and an imprint page with publisher details. Gather all necessary documents, such as PDFs/images of your cover page, title page, imprint page, and if it is an online publication, screenshots or a live link to your active website.
Step 2: Access the Official ISSN Portal
Navigate to the official website of the ISSN National Centre (niscpr.res.in/), India (usually integrated with the NIScPR website). This is the only legitimate platform to get an ISSN in India directly from the government.
Step 3: Register and Log In
If you are a new applicant, you will need to register for an account on the portal. This typically involves providing basic contact information. If you already have an account, simply log in using your credentials.
Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application Form
Once logged in, locate the ISSN application form. Carefully and accurately fill in all required details about your publication. This includes its exact title, publishers name and address, proposed publication frequency, language, and the format. Double-check all entries for typos or errors.
Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents
Attach all the documents you prepared in Step 1. The portal will have specific sections for each required document. Ensure all files are in the specified format and are clear and legible. Missing or unclear documents are a common reason for application rejection.
Step 6: Application Scrutiny and Clarifications
After submission, the ISSN National Centre will scrutinize your application. They verify that all details are accurate, meet eligibility criteria, and that your proposed title is not duplicated. If any information is missing or unclear, or if there are discrepancies, the Centre will contact you via the portal or email. You must respond promptly with the requested corrections or clarifications to avoid delays.
Step 7: ISSN Assignment and Certificate Issuance
Once your application is approved after thorough verification, the ISSN National Centre will assign a unique ISSN Number to your publication. This could be a P-ISSN for print, an E-ISSN for online, or both, along with an ISSN-L for linking different formats.
Fees & Charges
| Fee Component | Amount |
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| Professional Fees | Contact for pricing |
Key Advantages
Global Recognition and Identification
It provides your serial with a unique international identifier, making it easily distinguishable from other publications worldwide. This is vital for discoverability.
Increased Visibility and Accessibility
Libraries, indexing services, and abstracting databases globally use ISSNs for cataloguing. An ISSN makes it easier for your publication to be found, cited, and accessed by researchers and readers.
Facilitates Citation
Researchers and academics use the ISSN for accurate citations, ensuring proper attribution and traceability within the scholarly community.
Eligibility for Indexing and Databases
Many reputable indexing services, abstracting databases, and academic ranking systems require an ISSN for inclusion, significantly boosting your publications reach and impact.
Simplified Linking of Print and Digital Versions
If you change the format but not the content, the ISSN-L ties them together, avoiding the need for a completely new number (though a new P-ISSN or E-ISSN might be issued).
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