I am pleased to formally announce the commissioning of the India Book Market Report 2026–2030, a landmark industry initiative led by The Federation of Indian Publishers and developed by NielsenIQ BookData. Scheduled for release in September 2026, the report titled Mapping India’s Publishing Economy: Print, Digital, Policy and Growth Pathways represents a decisive step forward in how India’s publishing ecosystem is measured, understood, and strategically shaped.
As Project Director of IBMR 2026–2030, I view this report as both a continuation and a significant evolution of the 2022 edition. While the earlier report established India’s position as one of the world’s largest print publishing markets, the forthcoming edition expands its scope with deeper, more current insights into print, digital, and audio publishing, alongside a comprehensive assessment of the sector’s economic, policy, and employment impact. It will be the first report of its kind globally to present an integrated measurement of India’s publishing economy across formats and time horizons.
The relevance of IBMR 2026–2030 lies in the moment we are living in. Indian publishing is being reshaped by artificial intelligence, rapid digital adoption, evolving reading habits, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This report directly addresses these shifts through dedicated sections on the impact of AI in publishing and a detailed analysis of the digital books market, including ebooks, audiobooks, and subscription models across trade, academic, and educational segments. These insights are essential for publishers rethinking content strategies, investors evaluating long-term opportunities, and institutions planning for scale and sustainability.
Beyond format transformation, the report provides a rigorous evaluation of the Indian publishing and education ecosystem. It includes market size estimation and growth forecasts for the period 2026 to 2030, an assessment of the sector’s contribution to GDP and employment, and a detailed review of exports, taxation, copyright, and digital policy. By mapping both challenges and opportunities, IBMR 2026–2030 equips stakeholders with actionable intelligence to make informed decisions in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
I recently had the privilege of presenting the vision, scope, and significance of the India Book Market Report 2026–2030 as Project Director at the FIP IRRO Networking Soirée held on 10 January 2026 at the Taj Ambassador, New Delhi. During the session, I highlighted key trends across print and digital publishing, the growing influence of AI, the central role of education markets, and the importance of a supportive policy framework for sustained growth. Mr Vikrant Mathur, Executive Director at NielsenIQ BookData, complemented the discussion with data-driven market insights, growth projections, and global perspectives that are shaping the future of publishing worldwide.
India today occupies a prominent position in the global publishing ecosystem, supported by a vast network of publishers, authors, printers, distributors, and booksellers. However, scale alone does not define leadership. What the industry requires is credible data that informs long-term planning, policy advocacy, and strategic investment. IBMR 2026–2030 is designed precisely to meet this need, placing data at the heart of decision-making.
At its core, the India Book Market Report 2026–2030 is the industry’s commitment to lead with clarity, evidence, and purpose. It is about strengthening Indian publishing through knowledge, empowering stakeholders with insight, and shaping the ecosystem’s future with confidence.
Leadership through knowledge.
Leadership through data.
Leadership through purpose.
