[1][2] RNI regulates and monitors printing and publication of newspapers based on the Press and Registration of Books Act, 1867 and the Registration of Newspapers (Central) Rules, 1956.

[3] The Press and Registration of Books Act contains the duties and functions of the RNI.

On account of some more responsibilities entrusted upon RNI during all these years, the office is performing both statutory as well as some non-statutory functions.

[4] Online registration system was formally inaugurated in 2004 by the Information and Broadcasting Minister S. Jaipal Reddy.

[5] The Press and Registration of Periodicals Act, 2023 was enacted on 28 December 2023 and the name of the office was changed to the present one.