(GIST OF YOJANA) Digital Publishing- Expanding the horizon

(May-2023)

The publishing industry in India is the cornerstone of Indian culture, values, and transcendence.
India’s publishing industry contributes to India’s economic growth by promoting learning and education and creates crores of employment.
It reached the US $ 33.2 billion mark in 2022. According to a report,the market will reach US $ 41.6 billion by 2028 and is expected to show an annual compound growth rate of 3.4% from 2023-2028.
An increase in the overall education expenditure in National Education Policy 2020 has also helped in the growth of the Indian publishing industry.

With the advent of technology, there has been a significant transformation in the publishing industry.
Traditional print media has given way to digital publishing, making it easier for publishers to reach a wider audience. Digital publishing is still in its nascent stages in India.
It accounts for about 8-10% of the country’s publishing sector, However, the digital publishing sector in India has witnessed significant growth in recent years. According to a report, digital and regional content will drive the growth of Indian media.
The digital sector is expected to grow at a rate of 29.1% between FY 2019 and FY 2024.
Driven by the strength of regional content, it would reach INR 621 billion by 2024. This development will certainly impact digital publishing.
With the substantial growth of smartphones, tablets, and e-readers, access to information has become more accessible than ever.
Unlike traditional publishing, digital publishing does not require printing, shipping, or storage expenditures. Publishers can save on production and distribution costs, which can be passed on to consumers through lower prices.
E-books have played a significant role in the growth of digital publishing in India. According to a Nielsen report, e-books accounted for 20% of book sales in India in 2018. E-books offer several advantages over traditional books, including cost and convenience.

Digital publishing presents the opportunities as well as challenges. One of the main challenges is piracy.
With digital content being easily accessible, it becomes easier for people to illegally download and distribute copyrighted material. Therefore, the publishers must take additional measures to protect their content from unauthorised distribution.
Another challenge of digital publishing is constant updates and maintenance. Digital content should be updated regularly to ensure it remains relevant and up-to-date. It requires a significant investment in time and resources.
With so much content available online, publishers need to make sure their content is engaging and eye-catching. This means creating high-quality content that is distinct and informative.

Digital publishing has revolutionised how content is created, distributed, and consumed in India. It has opened up new opportunities for publishers, authors, and readers alike. However, some challenges still need to be addressed before it becomes a mainstream publishing mode in India. With the right infrastructure and awareness campaigns, digital publishing can become a game-changer for the Indian publishing industry.