Have you ever passed a newsstand in the morning and seen all those newspapers piled on each other, all yelling at you? Or perhaps you are a student, particularly an aspiring civil servant, and everybody keeps saying to you, “You must read the newspaper!”
It is a bit overwhelming, right? Which one are you going to pick up? Which can be trusted? Which one will really benefit you in your exams or just to make you a better informed individual?
In a world that is spinning with social media updates, 1-minute video reels, and instant news apps, one may ask the question of whether the good old newspaper is still relevant. The answer is a loud YES!
The best newspaper in India is not mere paper and ink, rather they are a staple of our democracy. They influence our views, hold our leaders to account and offer a level of analysis that a tweet never can. To students, they are a treasure trove of information—particularly in competitive exams where knowledge of current affairs is not only useful but is a must. Indian print media, with its history and amazing diversity, remains one of the most influential voices in the country.
Interestingly, as the digital era grows, many entrepreneurs and media houses are also looking at launching their own online news portals alongside print editions. Companies like 7K Network, a leading news portal development company in India, help individuals and organizations create professional, feature-rich digital news platforms that complement traditional journalism. For anyone planning to start a newspaper, completing the mandatory RNI registration is also a crucial step, as it establishes authenticity and compliance with government norms.
A Quick Trip Down Memory Lane: History of Newspapers in India
It is always interesting to see where we came to know where we are. Newspapers in India are as interesting as India itself!
The Pioneer: Hicky s Bengal Gazette (1780)
Now imagine a time in 1780 in Calcutta (now Kolkata). An eccentric Irishman by the name James Augustus Hicky chose to initiate the first printed newspaper in India. He called it the Bengal Gazette of Hicky.” It was a feisty, two-sheet weekly which was more of a gossip and social commentary newspaper than a hard news publication. It was well known because of its satirical approach to the officials of the British East India Company. Although it did not survive long (the British government was not fond of its criticism), it led the way to journalism in India. It was the earliest English newspaper in the land and it demonstrated the power of the printed word.
The Voice of the People: Udant Martand (1826)
Jump a few decades to 1826. A new form of publication again came up in Kolkata. This was Udant Martand, or, The Rising Sun. Its significance? It was the first newspaper to be published in the purest Hindi. This was a radical move in a nation where many languages were used. It also became the start of vernacular (local language) journalism, which gave a voice to millions of Indians in the language they were most familiar with. It was a very important step in the path of independence and developing a national identity.
Top 10 Newspapers in India: The Big Players
India possesses a huge and varied newspaper industry. Here is a list of the top 10 best newspaper in India which rule the readership charts and shape up the discourse. This list has both English and regional language papers to provide a full picture.
1. Dainik Jagran (Hindi)
Consider Dainik Jagran to be the heartbeat of the Hindi heartland. It was established in 1942 during the Quit India Movement and its name means Daily Awakening. It has not lost its identity and has continued to be news-oriented and concerned with what is important to the residents of towns and rural communities. It has a wide coverage, covering local city news to national politics, and international affairs, all in easy to understand Hindi. It is the best hindi newspaper in India. It is not only a newspaper, but a morning routine that many families have been sharing with generations.
- Audience & Reach: It has one of the largest readerships in the world. Its main target is in states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Punjab. It serves a large and varied population, including farmers, small business owners and students.
- Content Focus & Strengths: The strength of it is its hyper-local coverage. It has various editions, each of which is customized to a particular city or region. It is a good newspaper in reporting politics, social and local events.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best to understand the reality and view of the Hindi speaking states of India.
- Digital Presence: Excellent web presence (Jagran.com) and an app that is easy to use and gives news in Hindi and English.
2. Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi)
Dainik Bhaskar is a giant of Hindi journalism that has a strong record of aggressive reporting and reader-friendly approach. They have a reputation of carrying out a thorough survey before establishing in a new city to know what the readers really want. This has been aimed towards the reader and has made them very successful. It is the best newspaper in India. Their format is contemporary with flashy designs and a heavy focus on investigative reporting and stories that directly affect the life of the average citizen.
- Audience & Reach: It boasts of a huge readership, particularly in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat (as Divya Bhaskar) and Punjab. It targets a contemporary and an aspiring reader both in urban and semi-urban locations.
- Content Focus & Strengths: It is a newspaper that has been known to provide in-depth analysis of politics, business news and powerful investigative reports. Their campaigns tend to be on social issues and have a real life effect.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best suited to those readers who want to read investigative journalism and a contemporary approach to news in Hindi.
- Digital Presence: A popular site and mobile application that are continually updated with breaking news, video, and analysis.
3. The Times of India (English)
The Times of India (TOI) is probably the most well known English newspaper in the country. It is a heavyweight in the print media. It dates back to 1838 and has a rich history. TOI has a reputation of covering all that is under the sun-politics, business, sports, entertainment, lifestyle and so on. Its language is easy to understand and its format is such that it attracts wide readers, especially families.
- Audience and Reach: It is the most circulated English-language newspaper in the world. The main readers are in the urban and metro cities, professionals, students, and families.
- Content Focus and Strengths The greatest strength of it is its coverage scope. There is something to suit everybody. It is especially good in its city specific supplements (such as Delhi Times, Bombay Times) that report on local events and lifestyles.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best when you want a full picture of what is going on in the world in terms of news and entertainment.
- Digital Presence: A huge digital presence with a very popular web site (timesofindia.indiatimes.com) and a feature rich mobile app.
4. The Hindu (English)
TOI is the entertainer and The Hindu is the serious academic. The Hindu has a reputation of high quality journalism, integrity and in-depth analysis and is a newspaper of the discerning reader. It is the best newspaper in India. It was founded in 1878 and has a reputation of being impartial and comprehensive. Its language is said to be more advanced and hence a favorite to those who want to enlarge their English vocabulary. The opinion pages in The Hindu are taken very seriously and are often followed in national discourse.
- Audience and Reach: It has a following, especially in South India. Its readers include serious readers, academicians, policy makers and most notably civil services aspirants.
- Content Focus & Strengths: Has no peer in covering national politics, foreign policy and science and technology. Its editorial pieces are a lesson in the art of balanced opinion pieces.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: It is by far the best when it comes to UPSC aspirants and anyone who wants to have a deep and nuanced understanding of key issues.
- Digital Presence: A well-designed, well-maintained web site (thehindu.com) with quality content behind a paywall, and a popular app.
5. Hindustan Times (English)
Hindustan Times (HT) is another leading English daily which competes with Times of India especially in North India. HT, founded in 1924 with origins in the Indian independence movement, is characterised by its uncluttered design and even-handed reporting. It is in a nice middle range between the thorough one of TOI and the seriousness of The Hindu. It is regarded as a credible and contemporary newspaper that is progressive.
- Audience & Reach: It has a huge readership, with its strongholds in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow and other areas in North India. It is attractive to urban professionals and younger people.
- Content Focus & Strengths: It is strong in political, business and international news. It has opinion pieces that are well informed and its weekend supplements on lifestyle and culture are very popular.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best suited to readers who want quality and well-presented news without it being either too dense or too fluffy.
- Digital presence: A very contemporary and interactive web-site (hindustantimes.com) and a smooth, easy to use mobile application.
6. Amar Ujala (Hindi)
Amar Ujala is a leading Hindi newspaper with a reputation of decades as a reliable source of news. It was established in 1948 in Agra and has since then risen to become a major voice in a number of northern states. It is the best newspaper in India. The newspaper is associated with a very high moral standing and its dedication to report problems that touch the ordinary citizen. It offers a good combination of local, national and international news in a readable format.
- Audience and Reach: A vast readership in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. It appeals to readers in big cities and small towns.
- Content Focus & Strengths: Prowess in its state and city-based news reporting. It also pays much attention to social issues, education, and employment news which is quite helpful to younger readers.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best to get credible and comprehensive news coverage on the northern states of India.
- Digital Presence: A strong digital presence with a popular web portal and application that has e-paper access and real-time news updates.
7. Malayala Manorama (Malayalam)
It is an excellent demonstration of the strength of local press. Malayala Manorama is not a newspaper, it is an institution in Kerala. It was first published in 1890 and is one of the most popular regional language newspaper in India. It is famous due to its quality of journalism, innovative layouts and the strong relationship with its readers. It has a huge range of topics and is as professionally run as any large English daily.
- Audience & Reach: A very loyal, and huge following, mostly in Kerala and among the Malayali diaspora in the rest of the world.
- Content Focus & Strengths: A good coverage of all local issues, national, and international news. It also publishes various popular periodicals and supplements on such topics as farming, health, and education.
- Why It Stands Out/ Best For: A bright example of top-level journalism in a local language.
- Digital Presence: Manorama Online is a leading news portal in India that is available in both Malayalam and English.
8. The Indian Express (English)
The Indian Express has established its niche in the field of its bold and inquisitive journalism.It has a motto, Journalism of Courage. It does not have the kind of circulation that TOI or HT have, but it is highly respected because of quality and integrity. The Indian Express is the most renowned newspaper that has a reputation of breaking big news and also covering them in detail as well. It is a newspaper of a reporter, which is based on fieldwork and evidence.
- Audience & Reach: Deeper interest in politics, policy and public affairs. It is popular with policymakers, scholars, and, of course, UPSC aspirants.
- Content Focus and Strengths: No one beats them in investigative reporting and explanatory news. Its Explained section is brilliant in simplifying complicated issues in a very easy to understand format.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best for the people who want to know the reasons behind the news, not just the facts.
- Digital Presence: An excellent online presence (indianexpress.com) and application, whose Explained section was a highlight in the digital space.
9. Daily Thanthi (Tamil)
Daily Thanthi (also called Dina Thanthi in Tamil) is the unchallenged leader in Tamil newspaper market. It transformed the newspaper business in Tamil Nadu, by writing in a simple, spoken Tamil instead of the written literary language, and hence making news accessible to all. Its tone is straightforward and its headlines are blunt and attractive.It is the best newspaper in India. It has contributed a lot in creating political and social awareness among the masses in the state.
- Audience & Reach: Leads the readership in Tamil Nadu and among the Tamil people who are living outside Tamil Nadu. It is read by individuals of all classes.
- Content Focus and Strengths: The strength of its content focus is that it is simple and penetrating into every corner of the state. It covers Tamil Nadu politics, cinema and local issues in great detail.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best to get easy and detailed news in the Tamil language.
- Digital Presence: An effective online presence through a popular web site and e-paper.
10. Ananda Bazar Patrika (Bengali)
Ananda Bazar Patrika (ABP) is the most popular Bengali daily and a major force in the media industry of East India. It was established in 1922 and was a strong participant in the Indian independence movement. It is now known to be progressive, literary and all-encompassing in its coverage. It is the best newspaper in India. ABP is the voice of many Bengalis on all issues related to Bengal and the world.
- Audience & Reach: A huge following in West Bengal, Tripura and Assam and also the Bengali diaspora around the world.
- Content Focus and Strengths: It is very strong in political reporting, social issues, and sports (football and cricket). It is also reputed to cover the literature and the arts extensively.
- Why It Stands Out / Best For: Best to get an authoritative and comprehensive picture of news with a Bengali outlook.
- Digital Presence: The ABP Group is also a major player in the digital space with some of the most popular news websites in various languages (ABP Live) as well as a robust social media presence.
Best English Newspapers in India: A Closer Look
In the event that you wish to read a specific English newspaper, then the following are better candidates:
The Times of India:
The Times of India (TOI) is the most widely circulated English daily in India and provides the most comprehensive coverage hence it is a household name. The range of its content is its strength as it touches upon all the hard-hitting political news, as well as the vibrant entertainment, lifestyle and dedicated city-specific supplements like Delhi Times or Bombay Times.
Often regarded as the best English newspaper in India, TOI is sometimes seen as appealing to a more mass audience, yet its network of reporters is unrivaled. It is the paper of choice for anyone who would like to get a detailed account of the events of the day across the country and a mix of serious and light entertaining information to a wide audience.
The Hindu:
The Hindu is highly regarded in terms of journalistic quality and standards and is a stalwart of serious reading, especially valued by those preparing for the UPSC civil services examinations. Its editorial and op-ed pages are well known for their depth, subtle analysis, and eloquent arguments on national and international policy.
Based in Chennai, The Hindu has a strong presence in Southern India but enjoys a reputation across the entire country. With its formal language and emphasis on accuracy and context over sensationalism, it stands out as one of the best English newspapers in India for readers who seek deep analytical insights into current affairs.
Hindustan Times:
Providing an alternative that is balanced and credible, the Hindustan Times (HT) is a leading national daily with a stronghold in North India and especially in Delhi. It is a great compromise between quality and reliable news coverage and modern, reader-friendly design. The clarity of writing and the structure of the layout make complex issues accessible in TT.
It provides a strong blend of political coverage, business news and lifestyle content, as well as popular supplements such as Brunch. It is a great selection to the contemporary reader who appreciates credibility and clear, easy to follow presentation of news.
The Indian Express
True to its mighty motto, Journalism of Courage, The Indian Express has established a niche of its own with bold and effective investigative reporting. It is a reporter’s newspaper, built through intense field work, evidence, and a dedication to uncovering the truth. While its circulation may not be as high as that of its competitors, its reputation for breaking major stories and providing detailed follow-ups makes it stand out as one of the best English newspapers in India.
Its Explained section is an ingenious idea as it makes complicated issues easy to understand. It is the undisputed read that one would choose to know the why and how behind the headlines.
The Economic Times
The Economic Times is the most read and popular business newspaper in India and an invaluable asset to anyone related to the world of finance, business, and the economy. It is a part of the Times Group and offers detailed coverage of stock markets, corporate, economic policies, startups, and personal finance.
Its coverage is comprehensive, and it is aimed at both experienced investors and corporate leaders as well as those with entrepreneurial ambitions. It is the comprehensive daily source of knowledge about the pulse of the Indian and global economy.
Mint:
With its clean international design and incisive analysis, Mint is a quality business and financial daily published by the people behind Hindustan Times. It offers a more modern and analytical outlook on business, policy and economics.
It is widely acclaimed in its data-driven articles, opinion pieces, and long-form features, and serves a sophisticated audience of policymakers, executives, and young professionals. Its clean design and emphasis on quality over quantity has made it a fresh and mature voice in the realm of Indian business journalism.
The Telegraph:
The Telegraph, based in Kolkata, is a leading newspaper in Eastern India known for its bold, witty, and unconventional news coverage. Famous for its controversial headlines, aggressive writing style, and anti-establishment approach, it never hesitates to ask difficult questions. Its political, cultural, social, and sports coverage is both wide-ranging and engaging. With a strong and distinct editorial voice that resonates with readers, The Telegraph is often considered among the best English newspapers in India for those who prefer fearless and compelling journalism.
Deccan Herald:
The Deccan Herald is one of the major English dailies in Bengaluru, and a credible source of news and commentary especially in Karnataka and the neighboring areas. It gives a balanced combination of national and international news and gives unmatched, comprehensive coverage of South Indian politics, business and cultural events.
The paper is admired with its sober and balanced reporting. The Deccan Herald is an indispensable daily newspaper to readers who want to know what is going on in South India, as well as a good nationwide overview.
Deccan Chronicle:
Having a huge circulation base in South India, the Deccan Chronicle is one of the favorite newspapers in the region, particularly in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. It targets a broad range of readers, balancing between serious political and business news with a lot of coverage of local events, cinema and lifestyle.
The easy language and its wide variety of content have contributed to its popularity among most households. It is especially good at getting the pulse of the southern states and is therefore the most appropriate choice for readers who are interested in reading news with a regional flavor.
The Tribune:
The Tribune, which is based in Chandigarh, is one of the most credible English newspapers in Northern India. It offers excellent and comprehensive coverage of the states of Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The newspaper is characterized by credible, objective, and in-depth coverage of the politics of the region, agricultural matters, and social issues that are relevant to this part of the country. It has won a dedicated following over the decades through its adherence to simple and trustworthy journalism.
Best Hindi Newspapers in India: Voices of the Heartland
Hindi newspapers have enormous readership and they can play a critical role in shaping the opinion of the masses. The finest ones are:
Dainik Jagran:
Having a readership that makes it one of the most read newspapers in the world, Dainik Jagran is a giant of the Hindi media world. Its most significant asset is the vast network of journalists that it has in the country which makes it able to give unmatched hyper-local news. It dominates especially in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.
The paper encompasses a wide range of areas, including national politics, local community concerns, and so on, which makes it an inseparable constituent of the everyday life of millions of people in the Hindi heartland.
Dainik Bhaskar:
A powerful player in the Hindi newspaper market, Dainik Bhaskar is hailed as a newspaper that is reader-friendly and whose journalistic practices are innovative. It enjoys a dominant position in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Gujarat.
Its proactive and investigative stories have earned the paper a good reputation as it tends to expose civic problems and hold the local governments in check. Its emphasis on appealing content and the needs of its readers has turned it into a strong and influential voice in Central and Western India.
Amar Ujala:
Amar Ujala being a reputable and dependable name in Hindi journalism has a very deep presence in Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and other northern states. It is well known to have a balanced coverage and has made a niche in its exclusive coverage of social and educational matters. The newspaper is often used to conduct campaigns and initiatives to raise social awareness and student welfare.
Over the years, it has been known to be a responsible, family-oriented newspaper that promotes positive change and community development.
Navbharat Times:
The Hindi newspaper under the banner of Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. (the same company that owns The Times of India), Navbharat Times (NBT), has a very contemporary and urban flavour. It is a leading daily in major metropolitan cities such as Delhi and Mumbai. NBT is modern in its presentation, clean in its language, and broad in its coverage, which appeals to the aspirations of a metropolitan Hindi-speaking audience. For many readers, it stands out as one of the best Hindi newspapers in India, offering a perfect blend of modern outlook and reliable journalism.
It is a successful combination of serious political and business news and entertaining information on lifestyle, entertainment, and technology.
Benefits of Reading a Newspaper Daily
In addition to exams, the practice of reading newspapers on a daily basis has amazing advantages:
- Enhances your Vocabulary: You’ll discover new words as you use them in context each day.
- Makes You an Informed Citizen: You know what is going on in your city, country and the world.
- Develops Critical Thinking: Reading various opinions on the editorial page assists you in thinking critically about issues in various perspectives.
- Gives a Daily Dose of Knowledge: It is an easy method of acquiring something new every day.
- It is an Excellent Icebreaker! You will never be left without something to discuss.
The Digital Shift: E-Papers and News Apps
The digital revolution has changed the way we consume news at the fundamental level. In response to this change, all the major newspaper houses have built a strong online presence and information is more readily available than ever before. The most obvious manifestations of this transition are e-papers and specialized news portals/apps.
- E-Papers: E-papers are the direct electronic version of their physical print copies. They provide an electronic copy of the real newspaper, which can be turned through on laptops, tablets, or smartphones. This format preserves the traditional, curated reading experience of a traditional newspaper-including the layout, advertisements, and editorial decisions of that day in print. To a lot of faithful readers, e-papers offer the comfort and familiarity of the print version with the convenience of digital accessibility any place in the world.
- News Portals and Apps: The news portals and mobile applications have come a long way since they are no longer a static copy of the printed newspaper. These media are updated every 24 hours and therefore information is relayed in real-time. They also provide you with breaking news alerts on your phone, and add multimedia content to stories such as videos, podcasts and photo galleries. In addition, they are able to accommodate interactive features such as commenting, polls, and personal news feeds. In developing and sustaining these complex online platforms, media houses have been known to collaborate with technology specialists. An example is companies such as 7k Network which are specialized in developing news portals which form the much needed technological backbone that helps journalistic organizations to bring news to the global digital audience in real time and in an effective manner. This technological transformation has given power to the readers where a world of information is available at their fingertips at all times.
Conclusion
But what is the single best newspaper in India? The fact is, that there is no universal answer. The best newspaper is the one that suits you.
- The Hindu or The Indian Express is your best bet, in case you are an UPSC aspirant.
- The Times of India or Hindustan Times is ideal when you need an in-depth coverage of the national news with a bit of lifestyle.
- When you want to be in touch with the news in your native tongue, then go to the regional leader like Dainik Jagran, Malayala Manorama, or Daily Thanthi.
The thing is to get going. Find one that you are interested in and commit 30 minutes daily to it and make it a habit. In an era of noise, a good newspaper is your window to clarity, knowledge and a better understanding of the world around you.
FAQs
1. Which is the best read newspaper in India?
According to the recent Indian Readership Survey (IRS) data, Dainik Jagran (Hindi) is the most-read newspaper in India, and is followed by Dainik Bhaskar (Hindi).
2. Should I read just one newspaper to prepare UPSC?
Although a single newspaper (such as The Hindu) is quite sufficient, it is always advisable to complement it with another one (such as The Indian Express). This gives a wider scope of views and you do not miss out on any vital news.
3. Are e-papers more superior to physical newspapers?
It is individual preference Physical newspapers provide a distraction free reading. E-papers are convenient, less harmful to the environment and easily accessed on the go. A lot of them combine both.
4. How do I begin the practice of reading a newspaper?
Start small. Do not attempt to read it all in one day. Start with the front page and the editorial. Schedule a particular time of day, for example, your morning tea time. As you get more interested, you can look in other sections.
