**Executive Summary**
The document is a response to an unstarred question in Lok Sabha regarding facilities for government-accredited/senior journalists. It outlines the benefits and schemes available to journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and other journalists. The question was to be answered on December 10, 2025. There are no explicit action items, but stakeholders should note the provisions and schemes outlined in the document.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS):**
* Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and their families are covered under CGHS facilities across the country.
* This coverage includes treatment at government/CGHS-empanelled private hospitals at CGHS rates.
* **Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS):**
* The government implements the JWS to provide one-time ex-gratia relief to journalists/media personnel or their families in cases of extreme hardship due to the death of a journalist.
* Relief is also extended to journalists suffering from permanent disability or diagnosed with major listed ailments, and financial support is provided for accidents requiring hospitalization.
* Both PIB/State/UT-accredited and non-accredited journalists are covered.
* The government has provided financial assistance to 402 Journalists/Media Personnel or their families from 2014-15 to 2024-25.
* **Registration of Newspapers:**
* Newspapers in India are registered under the Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023 and its 2024 Rules, with the Press Seva Portal providing an easy, accessible online system for registration.
* **Print Media Advertisements:**
* The Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) issues print media advertisements transparently and has recently increased advertising rates by up to 26%.
* **Nominations to Committees:**
* Nominations to committees of the CBC, PIB, and Press Council of India are made as per the corresponding policy guidelines.
**Impact Analysis**
**Impact: Journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB):**
* **Impact:** They benefit from CGHS coverage for themselves and their families, including treatment at empanelled hospitals. They are also eligible for assistance under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) in cases of hardship.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the provisions of CGHS and JWS, and utilize the Press Seva Portal for newspaper registration if applicable.
**Impact: Journalists accredited by State/UT Governments as well as non-accredited journalists:**
* **Impact:** Eligible for assistance under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) in cases of hardship.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the provisions of JWS.
**Impact: Media Personnel / Families of Journalists:**
* **Impact:** Eligible for one-time ex-gratia relief under the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) in cases of extreme hardship, disability, or death of a journalist.
* **Action Required:** Stay informed about the provisions of JWS and the process for applying for assistance.
**Impact: Newspapers in India:**
* **Impact:** Must be registered under the Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023 and its 2024 Rules and can utilize the Press Seva Portal for registration.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with registration requirements and utilize the Press Seva Portal for an easy, accessible online system for registration.
Key Entities Referenced
Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS): A health scheme that provides medical facilities to journalists accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and their family members.
Press Information Bureau (PIB): Government agency for accrediting journalists.
Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS): A scheme to provide financial relief to journalists/media personnel or their families in cases of extreme hardship due to death, disability, major ailments, or accidents.
Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi: Accredited Journalist Welfare Committee Delhi that submitted a representation (charter of demands) to the government.
Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023: Act under which newspapers in India are registered; the response references the 2024 Rules, and the Press Seva Portal.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1674
(TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025)
FACILITIES TO GOVERNMENT-ACCREDITED JOURNALISTS/SENIOR
JOURNALISTS
1674. SHRI ARVIND GANPAT SAWANT:
SHRI SANJAY UTTAMRAO DESHMUKH:
Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:
a) whether pension, free medical facilities in Government and private hospitals, housing
and other facilities being provided to Government-accredited journalists/senior
journalists;
b) if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise particularly National Capital Region of Delhi
along with the time by which the said facilities are likely to be provided and if not, the
reasons therefor;
c) whether the Government has received any representation (charter of demands) from the
"Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi" (Accredited Journalist Welfare
Committee Delhi) in this regard; and
d) if so, the point-wise details of the demands mentioned in the charter of demands along
with the steps taken by the Government to fulfill the demands?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING AND
PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS
(DR. L. MURUGAN)
(a) to (d) : The Government of India is committed to the welfare of journalists. Journalists
accredited with the Press Information Bureau (PIB) are covered under the Central Government
Health Scheme (CGHS) facilities across the country for themselves and their family members.This includes their treatment at Government/CGHS empaneled private hospitals at CGHS
rates.
Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS)
The Government implements the Journalist Welfare Scheme (JWS) to provide one time ex-
gratia relief to journalists/media personnel or their families in cases of extreme hardship due to
the death of a journalist.
Relief is also extended to journalists who suffer from permanent disability or are diagnosed
with major listed ailments. Financial support is further provided to journalists who face serious
injuries due to accidents requiring hospitalization.
Journalists accredited by PIB and State/UT Governments as well as non-accredited journalists
are covered under this scheme.
Under the JWS scheme, Government has provided financial assistance to 402
Journalists/Media Personnel or their families from 2014-15 to 2024-25.
As regards the representation received from "Manyata Praapt Patrakar Kalyan Samiti Delhi”,
newspapers in India are registered under the Press and Periodicals Registration Act, 2023 and
its 2024 Rules, with the Press Seva Portal providing an easy, accessible online system for
registration.
The Central Bureau of Communications (CBC) issues print media advertisements transparently
and has recently increased advertising rates by up to 26%.
Nominations to committees of the CBC, PIB, and Press Council of India are made as per the
corresponding policy guidelines.
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