Quick Answer
Apply through the National Centre for ISSN, India (housed at NISCPR-CSIR) using their official online application form. The service is completely free of charge, and processing typically takes about 30 working days when your documentation is complete: editorial and peer-review details, publisher information, a cover/title/imprint page for at least one issue, and a declared publication frequency. You need a confirmed ISSN before Crossref will register DOIs for your journal - see do I need an ISSN before I can register Crossref DOIs?
Who Issues ISSN in India?
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) for Indian publications is issued by the National Centre for ISSN, India, part of the National Science Library under NISCPR-CSIR. This is the only official body authorized to assign ISSNs for serials published from India - not a private company or third-party website.
What You Need Before Applying
Prepare the following before you start the application:
- Editorial team details, and for scholarly journals, a clear description of the peer-review process.
- Complete publisher details - name, address, and contact information.
- Cover page displaying the title, volume, issue number, and date of publication.
- Title page matching the cover page title and including publisher details.
- Imprint page with the publisher's name, address, contact details, editor's name, and place of publication.
- Substantial content ready or published for at least one issue.
- A declared, consistent publication frequency (e.g. quarterly, bi-annual).
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Visit the official National Centre for ISSN, India website and click "Apply Online."
- Fill in the detailed application form with your journal, publisher, and editorial details.
- Check the declaration checkbox and click submit.
- Take a printout of the generated PDF application and sign it as required.
- Submit the signed documentation as instructed by the portal.
- Wait for review - the Centre may contact you if any information is incomplete.
How Long Does It Take?
The National Centre aims to process requests within about 30 working days, though actual time varies. If your documentation is complete and the title is straightforward, issuance can happen faster; complex or multi-title requests may take longer.
Print ISSN vs. Online ISSN (e-ISSN)
You can apply for a print ISSN, an online ISSN (e-ISSN), or both, depending on how your journal is published. If your journal is online-only, an e-ISSN alone is sufficient - Crossref accepts either. See DOI vs. ISSN vs. ISBN for how these identifiers relate to each other.
Common Reasons Applications Get Delayed or Rejected
What Happens After You Get Your ISSN?
Once your ISSN is confirmed and active, you're ready to move on to Crossref DOI registration. See how do I get a DOI for my journal? for the next step - most journals with an ISSN and a complete website can have a Crossref DOI prefix live within 3-5 business days through a sponsor.