Mumbai: The Federation of Indian Publishers (FIP), in association with NielsenIQ BookData, has released the India Book Market Report 2026-2030, setting out a data-led view of the opportunities and structural shifts expected to shape India’s publishing industry through the end of the decade.
The report, which follows the first India Book Market Report published in 2022, examines the changing dynamics of one of the world’s most diverse publishing markets. It focuses on emerging forces including Artificial Intelligence, digitisation, evolving distribution models, the expansion of Indian-language publishing and India’s growing participation in the global publishing ecosystem.
The report will be formally launched in New Delhi on 3 September 2026 and is expected to feed into discussions on the Indian publishing market at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2026. The study has been designed as a reference for publishers, policymakers, investors, educational institutions, technology companies, authors, booksellers, libraries and other stakeholders seeking greater visibility into the sector’s growth trajectory.
Covering both print and digital publishing, the report assesses developments across e-books and audiobooks as well as school, higher education, trade and scholarly publishing. Beyond market trends, it examines the industry’s wider economic contribution, employment, technology adoption, copyright and licensing, and the policy environment influencing publishing businesses.
Pranav Gupta, Vice President, Federation of Indian Publishers and Project Leader, India Book Market Report 2026-2030, said the industry’s increasing scale makes reliable market data critical to long-term planning and policymaking.
“Publishing has always been fundamental to India’s intellectual, educational and cultural progress. But an industry of this scale and strategic importance cannot plan its future on perception or anecdotal evidence alone. It needs credible data, continuous research and an evidence base that policymakers, businesses and institutions can confidently work with.”
Gupta positioned the latest study as more than a conventional market assessment, arguing that its broader objective is to establish a shared evidence base for the industry.
“For us, the India Book Market Report 2026-2030 is therefore much more than a report. It is an industry infrastructure project. It attempts to create a common factual foundation from which we can discuss growth, investment, copyright, technology, education, Indian languages, exports and public policy. As India moves towards becoming one of the world’s leading knowledge economies, publishing must be recognised not simply as a commercial industry, but as an essential pillar of that ambition.”
He added that the usefulness of the report would ultimately be determined by how effectively its findings translate into decisions across the publishing ecosystem.
“The real value of data begins when it improves decisions. We hope this report helps move conversations about Indian publishing from assumptions to evidence and from evidence to meaningful action.”
The emphasis on market intelligence comes as publishers contend with simultaneous changes in consumer behaviour, technology, content formats and distribution. The report brings together industry research, stakeholder consultations and market intelligence to provide a consolidated view of these developments and identify areas where growth could emerge through 2030.
Vikrant Mathur, Executive Director, NielsenIQ BookData, India & GCC, said India’s combination of market scale, demographic diversity and technological adoption makes reliable intelligence particularly important for stakeholders.
“India represents one of the most exciting and complex publishing markets in the world. Its scale, demographic profile, education ecosystem, linguistic diversity and increasing adoption of technology create significant opportunities, but they also make reliable market intelligence essential.”
According to Mathur, the report seeks to provide stakeholders with a broader understanding of the structural changes taking place across both traditional and emerging segments of the market.
“The India Book Market Report 2026-2030 brings together research and industry insight to provide a clearer understanding of how the market is evolving and where future opportunities may emerge. From print and digital formats to education, Indian languages, Artificial Intelligence, policy and international engagement, this report seeks to give stakeholders a comprehensive perspective on the forces shaping Indian publishing through 2030.”
He further highlighted the role of credible market information in influencing investment decisions and improving the understanding of India among global publishing stakeholders.
“Reliable data enables businesses to invest with greater confidence, allows policymakers to frame better-informed interventions and helps the international publishing community understand India more accurately. We believe this report can serve as an important reference point for all three.”
With Indian publishing increasingly intersecting with technology, education, multilingual content and international markets, the 2026-2030 report seeks to establish a more structured understanding of the sector’s economic and commercial potential. Its focus on Indian-language markets and digital formats also reflects the widening range of opportunities beyond conventional print publishing.
The report is published by the Federation of Indian Publishers, while NielsenIQ BookData has prepared the study. Its findings are expected to provide an industry reference point for stakeholders assessing investment, technology adoption, policy priorities and India’s evolving position in the global publishing landscape.
