What is an ISSN Number?
The full form of ISSN is International Standard Serial Number, an eight-digit unique identifier used to distinguish serial publications such as magazines, journals, newspapers, and other periodicals worldwide.
It helps libraries, databases, and publishers manage and catalog serials efficiently.
The ISSN ensures that each serial publication can be easily identified and accessed without confusion, especially when titles are similar or change over time.
In India, the use of ISSN is growing rapidly, with over 20,000 serial publications registered as of 2024, reflecting the expansion of the media and academic publishing sectors.
The ISSN is assigned by the ISSN National Centre of India, which operates under the National Science Library (CSIR-NIScPR), ensuring compliance with international ISSN standards set by the ISSN International Centre based in Paris.
Benefits of Getting an ISSN for Your Publication Obtaining an ISSN offers numerous advantages for your publication: Global Recognition and Identification: It provides your serial with a unique international identifier, making it easily distinguishable from other publications worldwide.
This is vital for discoverability.
Increased Visibility and Accessibility: Libraries, indexing services, and abstracting databases globally use ISSNs for cataloguing.
An ISSN makes it easier for your publication to be found, cited, and accessed by researchers and readers.
Facilitates Citation: Researchers and academics use the ISSN for accurate citations, ensuring proper attribution and traceability within the scholarly community.
Eligibility for Indexing and Databases: Many reputable indexing services, abstracting databases, and academic ranking systems require an ISSN for inclusion, significantly boosting your publication's reach and impact.
Simplified Linking of Print and Digital Versions: If you change the format but not the content, the ISSN-L ties them together, avoiding the need for a completely new number (though a new P-ISSN or E-ISSN might be issued).
Type of ISSN Description Print ISSN (p-ISSN) Assigned to physical/printed versions of journals, magazines, or serials.
Electronic ISSN (e-ISSN) Issued for online or digital versions of serial publications.
Linking ISSN (ISSN-L) A unique identifier used to group all media versions (print and electronic) of the same serial.
CD-ROM/DVD or USB ISSN Assigned to serials published on CD-ROM or similar digital physical media.
Eligibility Criteria for ISSN Number To get an ISSN Number in India, your publication must meet specific criteria, which vary slightly depending on its format.
For Online Publications Active Website/Platform: The online version must be accessible and active.
Imprint Page: Should display the publisher's name, address, and contact details.
Editorial Board/Team: Information about the editorial board or responsible individuals should be present.
Clear Scope/Aim: The publication's objective, scope, and target audience must be well-defined.
Regular Frequency: Must indicate a clear and consistent publishing frequency (e.g., monthly, quarterly, annually).
Content: Must have some content already published or clear evidence of forthcoming content relevant to the stated scope.
For All Scholarly Journals Journals published in Indian languages are required to include an English abstract and a translated title page.
This important step is often missed but is essential for wider accessibility and compliance with ISSN guidelines.
Unique Title: The proposed title must be unique and not deceptively similar to an existing serial.
Clear Publishing Frequency: A defined periodicity (e.g., monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, annual).
Scope and Objectives: A clear statement of the journal's aims, scope, and topics covered.
Editorial Board/Peer Review Process: Details of the editorial team and, for scholarly journals, a clear description of the peer-review process (if applicable).
Contact Information: Complete publisher details, including name, address, and contact.
No Single Article Submission: Publications that contain only one or two articles and claim to be a journal will not be assigned an ISSN.
It must be a 'serial' publication.
For Print Publications Cover Page: Must display the title, volume, issue number, and date of publication.
Title Page: Should match the cover page title and include publisher details.
Imprint Page: Must contain the publisher's name, address, contact details, editor's name, and place of publication.
Content: A significant portion of the content for at least one issue should be ready or published.
Regularity: A declared publication frequency.
Official Government Process for Getting an ISSN Number in India The ISSN National Centre for India is located at the National Science Library, NIScPR (National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research), New Delhi.
The process for obtaining an ISSN is entirely free of charge and typically involves the following steps: Step 1: Prepare Your Publication & Documents Before you even touch the online portal, ensure your serial publication meets the core eligibility criteria.
This means having a clear title, defined scope, consistent publication frequency, an editorial board, and an imprint page with publisher details.
Gather all necessary documents, such as PDFs/images of your cover page, title page, imprint page, and if it's an online publication, screenshots or a live link to your active website.
Step 2: Access the Official ISSN Portal Navigate to the official website of the ISSN National Centre (niscpr.res.in/), India (usually integrated with the NIScPR website).
This is the only legitimate platform to get an ISSN in India directly from the government.
Step 3: Register and Log In If you are a new applicant, you will need to register for an account on the portal.
This typically involves providing basic contact information.
If you already have an account, simply log in using your credentials.
Step 4: Fill Out the Online Application Form Once logged in, locate the ISSN application form.
Carefully and accurately fill in all required details about your publication.
This includes its exact title, publisher's name and address, proposed publication frequency, language, and the format.
Double-check all entries for typos or errors.
Step 5: Upload Supporting Documents Attach all the documents you prepared in Step 1.
The portal will have specific sections for each required document.
Ensure all files are in the specified format and are clear and legible.
Missing or unclear documents are a common reason for application rejection.
They verify that all details are accurate, meet eligibility criteria, and that your proposed title is not duplicated.
If any information is missing or unclear, or if there are discrepancies, the Centre will contact you via the portal or email.
You must respond promptly with the requested corrections or clarifications to avoid delays.
Step 7: ISSN Assignment and Certificate Issuance Once your application is approved after thorough verification, the ISSN National Centre will assign a unique ISSN Number to your publication.
This could be a P-ISSN for print, an E-ISSN for online, or both, along with an ISSN-L for linking different formats.
If a journal is available in multiple formats, like print and online, an ISSN-L (linking ISSN) is assigned automatically to connect all versions.
For first-time print journals, after you receive the ISSN through official communication or a digital certificate, you’ll need to take the next step.
You’ll be required to send a hard copy of the first issue with the assigned ISSN for their records.
This step is mandatory to complete the registration process.
Documents Required for ISSN Application While the exact list can vary slightly, generally, you will need the following documents for your ISSN application: Document Purpose Cover Page of the Journal/Magazine To verify the title, publisher, frequency, and layout of the publication.
Editorial Board Details To show the publication’s credibility and academic contribution.
First Issue or Sample Copy Required if the journal/magazine is already published (at least one issue).
Publisher’s Declaration Letter Confirms authenticity, ownership, and frequency of publication.
Frequency and Publication Schedule Shows the regularity (monthly, quarterly, etc.) of the journal.
Title Page with ISSN Request Mentioned A dedicated page requesting an ISSN, often signed by the editor or publisher.
Address and Contact Details of Publisher For official correspondence and verification.
Soft Copy (PDF) of the Journal/Publication Required in case of online or electronic publications.
Website Link (if applicable) For e-journals, to verify online presence and access.
Language Certificate or Translation (if in a regional language) An English translation of the title and abstract is required.
Why ISSN Applications Get Rejected: Common Mistakes to Avoid Even though the application process is free, rejections are common due to various errors.
Avoid these pitfalls to ensure a smooth ISSN Number assignment.
Incomplete Forms and Missing Documents: This is the most frequent reason for rejection.
Applicants often fail to fill out all mandatory fields or neglect to upload all required supporting documents.
The system often flags these immediately, making it hard to get your ISSN number assigned.
Misleading Information: Providing inaccurate or false information about the publication's frequency, scope, publisher details, or content can lead to outright rejection and even blacklisting.
Plagiarism: Submitting content that is plagiarized or violates copyright laws will lead to immediate rejection and can have severe legal consequences.
The ISSN National Centre often performs checks for originality.
Title Duplication: Applying for a title that is identical or deceptively similar to an existing ISSN-assigned publication will result in rejection.
To prevent this, performing a thorough title search (an 'ISSN number check') on the ISSN Portal before applying is essential.
Post-Approval Changes: Significant changes to the publication's title after an ISSN has been assigned typically require a new ISSN.
Attempting to use the old ISSN with a new title is incorrect and can lead to issues with indexing and databases.
Inactive Online Journal: Applying for an ISSN for an online journal that is inactive or not regularly updated may lead to delays or rejection.
Ensure your journal has consistent publication activity before applying.
Inconsistent Metadata: Providing metadata that conflicts with previous submissions or official records can cause your application to be rejected.
Always double-check all details for consistency before submission.
ISSN vs.
ISBN While both are international standard numbers for publications, they serve different purposes: Feature ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) ISBN (International Standard Book Number) Nature of Publication Identifies serial publications Identifies individual books Format 8-digit number (e.g., ISSN 1234-5678) 13-digit number (e.g., ISBN 978-3-16-148410-0) Used For Journals, magazines, newspapers, periodicals Books, eBooks, monographs Publication Type Ongoing series One-time publications Issued By National ISSN Centres under the ISSN International Centre National ISBN Agencies Mandatory Published Copy Required for application (print/e-journal) Required for application (final book version) Format Types Print ISSN, E-ISSN Paperback, Hardcover, eBook Helps In Cataloging and tracking serials in libraries Book trade and library cataloging How to Check if an ISSN Number is Valid?
Ensuring an ISSN is valid is essential for verifying the legitimacy of academic and professional publications.
Here's how you can do it: 1.
Use the Official ISSN Portal Go to the ISSN International Centre’s search portal (portal.issn.org).
You can search by entering the full 8-digit ISSN (e.g., 1234-5678) or the publication title.
2.
Match the Results Check if the ISSN is assigned.
The portal will show publication details like the title, publisher, country, and format (print or electronic).
Make sure these match the publication you're verifying.
3.
Warning Signs of a Fake ISSN The ISSN does not appear on the official portal.
The publication title or publisher details seem inconsistent or missing.
A website claims an ISSN without providing a verifiable reference.
4.
Manually Validate the Checksum Digit ISSNs follow a specific algorithm for the last digit (called a checksum).
To manually validate it: Multiply each of the first 7 digits by a decreasing sequence from 8 to 2.
Add the results.
Divide the total by 11 and subtract the remainder from 11.
The result is the checksum.
If it’s 10, the digit is shown as 'X'.
If it’s 11, the digit is 0.
Example: To validate 1234-567X: (1×8) + (2×7) + (3×6) + (4×5) + (5×4) + (6×3) + (7×2) = 112 112 ÷ 11 = remainder 2 → 11 - 2 = 9 So the valid ISSN should be 1234-5679, not X.
5.
Other Ways to Verify Printed ISSN: Check the publication cover, masthead, or copyright page.
Library Catalogs: University or public library databases often list accurate ISSNs.
National ISSN Centres: You can also contact the national ISSN agency for clarification.
Connect with a professional to get help verifying if the last digit of an ISSN is correct or not.
ISSN Registration Certificate An ISSN Certificate is the official document issued by the National Science Library (NSL) under NISCAIR, confirming your publication’s registration in the global ISSN system.
It uniquely identifies serial publications such as journals, magazines, newsletters, and online serials.
Once approved, you will receive an ISSN number assigned to your print or electronic publication.
This certificate is mandatory for indexing, library referencing, UGC recognition, and global access.
How to Download the ISSN Certificate Online?
To download your ISSN certificate: Visit the official ISSN India portal (nsl.niscair.res.in).
Log in using your credentials.
Navigate to your approved application.
Click “Download Certificate” to get a PDF version.
If your certificate is delayed or pending, contact the NSL helpdesk or track the status via email updates.
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