Newspapers play an important role in Indian society. They are a trusted source of information and news for millions of people. Newspapers also play a vital role in holding the government and other powerful institutions accountable.
In addition to providing news and information, newspapers also play an important role in shaping public opinion. They do this by publishing editorials, opinion pieces, and letters to the editor. Newspapers also provide a platform for different viewpoints to be heard.
In a country like India, newspapers especially play an important role in educating people about important issues and giving a voice to the voiceless. India has a vibrant and diverse newspaper industry, with over 100,000 registered newspapers and periodicals published in over 200 languages. The country’s newspaper readership is also one of the highest in the world, with over 400 million people reading a newspaper every day.
Here is the list of the top 10 newspapers in india, based on data from the Audit Bureau of Circulations:
| Rank | Publication | Owner |
| 1 | Dainik Jagran | Jagran Prakashan Limited |
| 2 | Malayala Manorama | Kandathil Varghese Mappillai |
| 3 | The Times of India | Ashok Kumar Jain |
| 4 | Amar Ujala | Rajul Maheshwari and Sneh Maheshwari |
| 5 | Hindustan | HT Media Ltd |
| 6 | Rajasthan Patrika | Patrika Group |
| 7 | Eenadu | Ramoji Rao |
| 8 | Dainik Bhaskar | Dainik Bhaskar Group |
| 9 | Daily Thanthi | S. P. Adithanar |
| 10 | Mathrubhumi | K. P. Kesava Menon |
1) Dainik Jagran
Dainik Jagran,” a prominent Hindi language daily newspaper in India, was established in 1942 in Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, by Puranchand Gupta. It is owned by Jagran Prakashan Limited and is known for its vast circulation and readership. As of 2022, it was the most circulated newspaper in India and, in 2019, boasted a readership of over 68.6 million, making it one of the top publications in the country.
The newspaper has had a significant historical impact, notably during the Quit India Movement, and has undergone significant expansion since its inception, launching numerous editions across various Indian cities. Despite facing initial financial challenges, Dainik Jagran overcame these hurdles by using syndicated articles and securing advertising revenue.
Over the years, Dainik Jagran has faced criticism for its journalistic practices and content choices. In 1995, the newspaper was embroiled in controversy for publishing a sensational story about Mayawati, the leader of the Bahujan Samaj Party, which was widely criticized and led to protests.
2) Malayala Manorama
Malayala Manorama,” a prominent Malayalam language newspaper in India, has a rich and dynamic history. Established on March 22, 1888, by Kandathil Varghese Mappillai in Kottayam, Kerala, it began as a weekly and evolved into a daily by July 2, 1928. The newspaper is owned by the Kandathil family, a distinguished Malankara Orthodox Syrian Christian family. Despite facing a ban in 1938 by the Travancore state, it resumed publication in 1947 post-Indian independence.
As of 2022, Malayala Manorama boasts over 8 million readers and a circulation exceeding 1.9 million copies, making it the second-largest circulating newspaper in India and the largest in Kerala. In the competitive landscape of Malayalam newspapers, it surpassed its rival, Mathrubhumi, in circulation by the late 1950s. Its expansion across Kerala, marked by technological advancements and new printing centers, propelled its circulation from about 30,000 to 300,000 by 1970.
3) The Times of India
The Times of India (TOI) is a significant English-language daily newspaper in India, known for its extensive circulation and historical presence. Established on November 3, 1838, as The Bombay Times and Journal of Commerce, TOI has evolved into a prominent voice in Indian journalism. It’s owned by The Times Group, managed by Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd., which in turn is owned by the Sahu Jain family.
Over the years, TOI has witnessed various ownership changes, including being acquired in 1946 by Ramkrishna Dalmia and later controlled by the Government of India following allegations of misconduct against the Dalmia-Jain group. Post-1976, during the Emergency in India, ownership reverted to Ashok Kumar Jain, leading to its current management under the Jain family.
TOI has expanded its reach with editions in major Indian cities and a range of publications under The Times Group. It’s known for its Bombay Times supplement, focusing on Page 3 social scene, celebrity, and lifestyle news.
4) Amar Ujala
Amar Ujala is a prominent Hindi-language daily newspaper in India, founded in 1948 in Agra. It’s known for its broadsheet format and is currently owned by Rajul Maheshwari and Sneh Maheshwari. The newspaper has its headquarters in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, and as of April 2024, boasts a significant circulation of approximately 1.74 million copies and a readership of around 9.65 million, making it the fourth-largest daily newspaper in India in terms of readership.
The newspaper has expanded significantly since its inception, with 22 editions across six Indian states (Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi NCR, and Uttar Pradesh) and two union territories (Chandigarh and Jammu & Kashmir), covering 180 districts. This wide distribution network is a testament to its popularity and influence in the Hindi-speaking regions of India.
In addition to its print version, Amar Ujala has a strong online presence through its website, amarujala.com, which caters to over 60 million users across India. This website is one of the leading Hindi news websites in the country. As of December 2022, it had 8.4 million followers on Facebook and 3.89 million subscribers on YouTube.
5) Hindustan
Hindustan,” a leading Hindi-language daily newspaper in India, was established by Madan Mohan Malaviya on April 12, 1936, and is currently managed by HT Media Ltd, with Shashi Shekhar as its editor-in-chief. As of April 2024, it boasts a circulation of approximately 1.67 million, ranking as the second largest-read daily in India and the 13th worldwide in terms of circulation as of 2016.
The newspaper has a strong presence with 21 editions across the Hindi belt, including regions like Delhi, Haryana, Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand. It is particularly influential in Bihar, where it holds a commanding 73% share of the Hindi readership market, and Jharkhand, where it has consistently been the most-read newspaper. Hindustan has also seen significant growth in Uttar Pradesh, the largest Hindi newspaper market, and has the highest number of readers in Uttarakhand.
Many of its major editions are available online in e-paper format, widening its reach. Despite its expansive presence, the latest specific news or developments about Hindustan were not accessible due to website access restrictions. Nonetheless, its legacy and extensive reach continue to make Hindustan a pivotal player in the Indian media landscape, shaping public opinion and delivering key news across the nation
6) Rajasthan Patrika
Rajasthan Patrika is the largest circulated Hindi-language newspaper in Rajasthan, with a daily circulation of over 1.3 million copies. It is published in Jaipur and has a strong presence in all districts of Rajasthan. Rajasthan Patrika is known for its in-depth coverage of local and regional news, as well as its cultural and literary sections.
Rajasthan Patrika, a leading Hindi language newspaper in India, offers a diverse range of news coverage. Recent reports include updates on the second phase of voting in Chhattisgarh with a significant turnout and the Madhya Pradesh elections marked by disturbances. The paper also highlighted the reduction in LPG cylinder prices, beneficial during the Chhath festival, and issued a warning to Agniveer aspirants about potential frauds.
The start of the Chhath Puja, Indian Railways’ ambitious plans for 2027, and the tragic incident of an Air India pilot’s demise at Delhi airport were also covered. Furthermore, the paper reported on a unique safety campaign in Noida, anti-terror operations in Jammu and Kashmir, a fatal accident in Uttarakhand, political movements in Rajasthan, a rescue operation for trapped workers, and cricketing milestones in the World Cup 2024. This range of articles illustrates Rajasthan Patrika’s comprehensive approach to covering regional and national news, politics, sports, and public interest stories.
7) Eenadu
Telugu readers, on the other hand, are ardent followers of Eenadu. With its hub in Hyderabad, its 1.3 million daily copies reach every nook of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh, offering comprehensive regional and cultural narratives.
Eenadu, a prominent Telugu-language daily newspaper in India, has a rich history and significant influence in the Indian media landscape, especially in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Founded by Ramoji Rao in 1974 in Visakhapatnam, it began as a modest four-page publication. Initially, its circulation was limited, struggling to sell more than 3,000 copies a week in Visakhapatnam.
The newspaper’s growth is attributed to its innovative approach, including the introduction of district editions for hyper-local news coverage, and a strong focus on regional reporting. These editions covered local events across business, politics, and social news, along with reader-generated content, fostering a sense of community ownership and involvement. Eenadu now reaches its audience through 25 editions, covering key locations in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
Eenadu’s influence extends beyond journalism. It has been known for its support of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) since its foundation in 1982, reflecting a symbiotic relationship between the newspaper and the party during electoral campaigns. This political alignment significantly boosted its subscriptions and popularity.
8) Dainik Bhaskar
Another Hindi stalwart, Dainik Bhaskar, with its base in Bhopal, penetrates the landscapes of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Gujarat, connecting over 875,000 readers to the world through its vast coverage.
Dainik Bhaskar is a prominent Hindi-language daily newspaper in India, owned by the Dainik Bhaskar Group. Established in Bhopal in 1958, it has expanded significantly over the years. As of 2022, it was ranked the eleventh largest newspaper in India by circulation according to the Indian Audit Bureau of Circulations, and it was fourth in the world by circulation in 2016. The newspaper is distributed in 12 states and has 65 editions in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati languages.
By 1995, Dainik Bhaskar had become the number one newspaper in Madhya Pradesh (MP) and was noted as the fastest-growing daily in India. A significant expansion occurred in 1996 when it entered the Jaipur market in Rajasthan with an innovative survey-based strategy, eventually becoming the number one urban newspaper in the entire state by 1999. It also made a successful foray into Chandigarh in 2000, adapting to local preferences by incorporating a mix of Hindi and English.
9) Daily Thanthi
Dina Thanthi, also known as “Daily Thanthi” in English, is a prominent Tamil language daily newspaper in India. Founded in 1942 by S. P. Adithanar in Madurai, it has grown to become India’s largest daily printed in Tamil and ranks as the ninth largest among all Indian dailies by circulation. The newspaper is published from 16 different cities across India, including Bangalore, Chennai, Mumbai, Pondicherry, Coimbatore, and others, reflecting its extensive reach and significance in the Tamil-speaking community.
”Dina Thanthi” offers a variety of supplements catering to diverse interests. Some of the notable supplements include ‘Dt next’ for its Chennai edition, which is an English version started in November 2015, ‘Devadai’ on Sundays, ‘Aruldharum Anmeegam’ on Tuesdays, educational content like ‘Plus 2, SSLC model Questions’ on Wednesdays, and ‘Muthucharam, Ilaignar Malar, Mugavari’ on Saturdays, the latter focusing on real-estate and construction technology news.
10) Mathrubhumi
Mathrubhumi is a prominent Malayalam newspaper published from Kerala, India. Founded in 1923 by K. P. Kesava Menon, a key figure in the Indian freedom struggle, it has become the second most widely read daily in Kerala. The name “Mathrubhumi” translates to “mother land.” This daily newspaper, under the ownership of M. V. Shreyams Kumar and published by P. V. Chandran, adopts a broadsheet format. As of April 2024, it boasts a daily circulation of over one million copies.
Mathrubhumi operates printing centers in several key locations across Kerala, including Kozhikode, Kannur, Malappuram, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kochi, Kottayam, Alappuzha, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram. In addition to the primary newspaper, it publishes a diverse range of magazines and supplements, catering to various interests and demographic groups. These publications include Arogyamasika (a health publication), Balabhumi (for children), Grihalakshmi (targeting women), Mathrubhumi Sports Masika (sports magazine), and Mathrubhumi Yathra (a travel magazine). It also features the weekly Mathrubhumi Azhchappathippu, a literary magazine, and Thozhilvartha, which focuses on job prospects and is the leading career weekly in India.
In 2024, Mathrubhumi celebrated its centennial anniversary, marking a hundred years of journalistic excellence. The event was commemorated with grand celebrations at the CIAL Convention Centre in Kochi, attended by dignitaries like Kerala’s Chief Minister and Union Minister, who inaugurated the closing ceremonies and unveiled a special souvenir.
FAQs Related to Top Newspapers in India
1) Which is the most read English newspaper in india?
The Times of India holds the distinction of being the most read English newspaper in India. Its widespread influence is evident across major urban hubs of the country, with its comprehensive national and international coverage drawing a large readership.
2) Which is the most selling English newspaper in india?
The Times of India also emerges as the largest selling English daily in the nation. Its long-standing reputation, dating back to 1838, and its diverse content have made it a favorite among English readers across India
3) Which is the most circulated english newspaper in india?
In terms of circulation, The Times of India again leads the pack among English newspapers in India. Its circulation of over 1.8 million copies underscores its significant presence in the Indian media landscape
4) Which is the largest circulated newspaper in india?
Stepping outside the English language category, Dainik Jagran, a Hindi newspaper, claims the title of being the largest circulated newspaper in India. With its focus on comprehensive local, national, and international news, Dainik Jagran enjoys a daily circulation of over 3.5 million copies, predominantly in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh
5) What is the readership of times of india?
The Times of India maintains a commanding lead in the market with a total readership of over
1.73 crore. This figure places it well ahead of its competitors, reflecting its dominant position among English dailies in India
