Times of India Leads Government Print Advertising Allocations Over Five Years

The Times of India received the largest share of the Union government’s print advertising expenditure between FY2020-21 and FY2024-25, according to figures presented by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) in the Lok Sabha. The data showed that the Central government spent a total of ₹910.4 crore on advertisements in print media during the five-year period.

Among the country’s major newspaper groups, The Times of India received the highest cumulative allocation of ₹78.22 crore. It was followed by Dainik Jagran with ₹59.14 crore and Hindustan Times with ₹47.80 crore. Other prominent publications receiving government advertising included Amar Ujala at ₹24.92 crore, Hindustan at ₹21.56 crore, Dainik Bhaskar at ₹20.53 crore and The Indian Express at ₹6.51 crore.

The annual figures indicate that The Times of India remained the largest recipient throughout the period. Its allocation stood at ₹17.87 crore in FY2020-21, increased to ₹21.01 crore in FY2022-23, and subsequently declined to ₹6.04 crore in FY2024-25.

Dainik Jagran received ₹13.04 crore in FY2020-21, with its allocation reaching ₹16.08 crore in FY2022-23 before falling to ₹4.80 crore in FY2024-25. Hindustan Times received ₹12.66 crore in FY2020-21 and ₹13.88 crore in FY2022-23, while its allocation declined to ₹4.21 crore in FY2024-25. Amar Ujala’s yearly allocation similarly peaked at ₹7.37 crore in FY2022-23.

The latest disclosure follows an earlier parliamentary response showing that the Centre spent ₹5,987.46 crore on advertising across print, electronic and digital platforms between FY2014-15 and FY2024-25. Overall advertising expenditure rose notably to ₹353.98 crore in FY2023-24, before declining to ₹323.41 crore in FY2024-25.

The government maintains that such campaigns are intended to inform citizens about welfare schemes, policies and public initiatives. However, opposition parties have frequently questioned government advertising expenditure, alleging that it can also contribute to political communication and image-building, particularly around election periods.