ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an 8-digit identification number used to identify serial publications and continuing resources.

It is used for publications such as:

• Journals 
• Magazines 
• Periodicals 
• Newspapers 
• Annual publications 
• Newsletters 
• Online/electronic journals 
• Other continuing publications 

An ISSN helps uniquely identify a particular serial publication.

ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number.

It is an internationally recognised identification system for serial and continuing publications.

An ISSN consists of 8 digits, normally written in two groups of four separated by a hyphen. For example:-ISSN 1234-5678

The final character may be X, which is used as a check character in certain ISSNs.

ISSN for Indian publications is handled through the National Science Library, National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (NIScPR), CSIR, which functions as the National Centre for ISSN in India.

The ISSN International Centre coordinates the international ISSN network.

An ISSN may be sought by the publisher or responsible organisation/person for an eligible serial or continuing publication. Applicants may include:-

• Publishers 
• Universities 
• Colleges 
• Research institutions
• Academic societies 
• Associations 
• Government institutions 
• NGOs 
• Professional bodies 
• Commercial publishers
• Individual publishers, where applicable 

The publication must satisfy the applicable ISSN requirements.

Not necessarily. ISSN is an identification number for serial/continuing publications. A publication does not automatically become legally mandatory to register merely because it is a magazine, journal or periodical. However, obtaining an ISSN can be important for identification, cataloguing, academic publishing and indexing purposes.

ISSN is commonly obtained by journals and periodicals, particularly academic and research publications.

However, ISSN and academic recognition are different matters. Having an ISSN does not by itself establish that a journal is peer-reviewed, recognised, indexed or academically approved.

No. 

An ISSN does not mean that a journal is approved, recognised or recommended by UGC. ISSN merely identifies the publication. A journal's indexing, peer-review status, academic recognition and inclusion in any particular list/database must be independently verified.

No.

ISSN registration and indexing are separate matters.

A journal may have an ISSN and still not be indexed in:

• Scopus 
• Web of Science 
• DOAJ 
• Google Scholar 
• PubMed 
• Other specialised databases 

Indexing depends upon the requirements of the particular database.

Yes. An online/electronic serial publication can generally be assigned an e-ISSN, subject to the applicable ISSN requirements.

Yes. A print serial publication can be assigned an ISSN. Where the same publication is issued in both print and electronic formats, separate ISSNs may be assigned to the different media versions.

The basic distinction relates to the medium of publication. ISSN may identify a print/physical version. e-ISSN identifies an electronic/online version. A publication available in both print and electronic formats may therefore have separate identifiers for the two media versions.

Generally, different media versions require separate ISSNs.

For example:

Print version: ISSN 1234-5678

Online version: ISSN 8765-4321

The appropriate identifier should be displayed with the corresponding version.

Yes, newspapers and other continuing publications may be eligible for ISSN, subject to the applicable requirements.

However, an ISSN is different from any registration or regulatory requirements that may apply specifically to newspapers or periodicals under other laws.

A normal standalone book generally uses an ISBN, not an ISSN.

The distinction is:

ISBN ? books/monographic publications

ISSN ? serials/continuing publications

A publication that is issued as a continuing series may require consideration of ISSN rather than ISBN.

The exact documents depend upon the type and status of the publication.

Commonly relevant information/documents may include:

• Title of the journal/publication 
• Publisher details 
• Publisher's address 
• Frequency of publication 
• Subject/category 
• Language 
• Publication format 
• Editorial information
• Website details for online publications 
• Sample/current issue or other publication material, as required 
• Declaration/details relating to the publisher 

Applicants should check the current requirements of the Indian ISSN authority before submission.

The requirements can differ depending upon the nature and format of the proposed publication. In practice, applicants should have the necessary publication information and supporting material required by the ISSN authority before making the application.

Processing time can vary depending upon:

• Completeness of the application; 
• Nature of publication; 
• Availability of supporting documents; 
• Verification requirements;
• Queries raised by the ISSN authority. 

Therefore, an applicant should not rely on a fixed number of days unless the authority's current service timeline provides one.

Applicants should verify the current official requirements and fee position of the Indian ISSN authority before filing. Any professional consultancy/service fee charged by a consultant is separate from government/official charges, if applicable.

An ISSN identifies a particular serial/continuing publication. It is not simply a general licence to publish any content under any name. If there is a significant change in the publication, title or medium, the publisher may need to comply with applicable ISSN rules, including potentially obtaining a new ISSN where required.

A major title change may require a new ISSN, because an ISSN is associated with a particular serial title. The publisher should consult the ISSN authority before continuing to use the existing ISSN after a significant title change.

An ISSN is associated with the particular serial publication to which it has been assigned. It should not be treated as a transferable asset that can simply be sold or assigned to an unrelated publication. Any change in publisher or other publication details should be handled according to ISSN rules.

No. An ISSN identifies a particular serial publication and should not be used for an unrelated journal or publication.

The ISSN should generally be displayed prominently in the publication and associated publication information in accordance with applicable ISSN standards. For an online journal, it may be displayed on the journal website and appropriate publication pages.

Yes, where an ISSN has been assigned to the electronic version of the journal, it should be displayed appropriately on the website/publication. The publisher should ensure that the ISSN corresponds to the correct title and medium.

No. ISSN is an identification system. It does not itself confer copyright protection. Copyright protection arises under applicable copyright law when the legal requirements for protection are satisfied.

No. ISSN and trademark registration are completely different.

ISSN ? identifies a serial publication.

Trademark ? protects a brand/name/logo in relation to specified goods/services, subject to trademark law.

If a publisher wants protection for the journal's distinctive name or logo, trademark registration may be considered separately.

An ISSN can help identify a serial publication, but ISSN alone should not be treated as proof of the quality, authenticity, academic standing or credibility of a journal. Other factors should be independently verified.

Not automatically. Universities, institutions and professional bodies may have their own requirements concerning:

• Peer review 
• Editorial board 
• Indexing 
• Research quality 
• Publication ethics 
• Citation databases 
• Recognition/listing requirements 
• ISSN is only one publication identifier.

Yes, an NGO may publish an eligible journal, newsletter or other continuing publication and may apply for ISSN subject to the applicable requirements.

The NGO's legal status does not itself substitute for the ISSN requirements.

Yes. Universities and academic institutions commonly publish journals and other serial publications for which ISSNs may be obtained.

An individual acting as publisher/editor may potentially apply where the publication satisfies the applicable ISSN requirements. Eligibility should be checked against the current requirements of the relevant ISSN authority.

A serial publication and an individual issue/monographic publication may, in appropriate circumstances, have different standard identifiers. However, ISBN and ISSN serve different purposes and should not be used interchangeably.

Issues may arise because of:

• Incomplete application 
• Inadequate publication information 
• Title-related issues 
• Insufficient supporting material 
• Incorrect publisher details 
• Inconsistency between application and publication 
• Failure to satisfy applicable ISSN requirements 
• Incorrect use of an existing ISSN 

The application should therefore be carefully prepared before submission.

ISSN Registration – Simple Process

Decide publication title

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Determine print / online / other format

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Prepare publisher & publication details

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Prepare required supporting material

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Submit application to the competent ISSN authority

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Respond to any clarification/query

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ISSN assigned

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Display ISSN on the publication