New Delhi, Sept 4 (INB) India’s book publishing market is projected to reach Rs 2 lakh crore by 2030-31, according to the India Book Market Report 2026-2030 released by the Federation of Indian Publishers and NielsenIQ BookData.
The report, launched in New Delhi on Thursday, examines the outlook for print, digital and scholarly publishing, besides the role of education, research, Indian-language publishing, artificial intelligence and policy frameworks in shaping the sector.
It highlights opportunities for growth, innovation and investment while stressing the importance of copyright protection, creator rights and responsible adoption of technology. The report said India has the foundations to develop a globally relevant knowledge industry and should focus on improving the quality, reach and sustainability of growth in the publishing sector. Vikrant Mathur, Executive Director, NielsenIQ BookData, India and GCC, said the report combines market data with industry expertise to provide insights into trends, opportunities and challenges facing the publishing industry. “It offers practical insights into the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the industry,” Mathur said, adding that the report could serve as a resource for businesses, policymakers and other stakeholders. Pranav Gupta, Vice President, Federation of Indian Publishers, said publishing is fundamental to India’s intellectual, educational and cultural progress. The report, he said, would help strengthen the foundation for evidence-led discussions and meaningful action across the publishing sector. According to the report, India has more than 26,000 publishers, while its print market is growing at nearly 11 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR). Former Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar said India is the world’s third-largest publishing industry after China and the US and has the potential to become the largest. National Book Trust Director Yuvraj Malik said India’s vast reader and learner base, linguistic diversity and expanding technological capabilities provide it with the potential to emerge as a leading global knowledge economy. The report also received support from international publishing and authors’ organisations, with International Publishers Association Secretary General José Borghino stressing the importance of reliable and regularly updated industry data. The report covers print books, educational, digital and journal publishing markets, along with economic contribution, artificial intelligence, copyright and legislation. The report has been published by the Federation of Indian Publishers and prepared by NielsenIQ BookData.
