With the advent of self-publishing and it’s growing popularity among writers, questions about ISBN numbers are being often asked. Here is a compilation of all the information you need to know about getting and using ISBN numbers in India.
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a unique International Publisher’s Identifier number, which is meant for monographic publications. It identifies publisher and the title of publication. This 13 digit number is machine readable when converted into a EAN-13 barcode. You see this barcode, usually, on the back cover of books.
Following types of material is eligible for having an ISBN:
Printed materials
Microforms
Educational Videos or Movies
Mixed media publications
Microcomputer software (only educational)
Atlases and maps
Publications in Braille
Electronic publications
Advertising material (sales catalogues, price lists, prospectuses, publicity flyers, etc)
Wall posters, Newspapers, leaflets
Lists of exhibits without additional text
Programs of theatrical, musical, and other performances
Curricula of schools and colleges of all kinds
Lecture and teaching material of manuscript character
Calendars and diaries
Forms & colouring books
Journals and periodicals
No, it is not mandatory to print an ISBN number on your book. You can publish your book without ISBN. But it is recommended to have ISBN because it makes your book uniquely identifiable. Also its sale becomes easier at stores where they make bill using a barcode reader. If your book will not have an ISBN bar code –it will be difficult for selling store to make bill for the purchaser of your book.
Getting ISBN number in India is totally free. You don’t have to pay a single paisa for this.
Yes, hardcover (hard-bound, cloth-bound, hard-back) and paperback versions of the same book require separate ISBN numbers.
Yes. If you’re publishing the same book in a different language –you cannot use the same ISBN. You will need to assign a separate ISBN number to each of various language versions of the same book.
Any person or entity wanting to publish a book can now apply for ISBN.
Self-publisher (an individual who wants to publish book on his/her own)
Publisher
Author
University
Institution
Government Department
Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN is authorized to issue ISBN number in India. It is an agency under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India.
In order to get ISBN numbers you would need to send an application to Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN. In your application you have to provide the following information:
Title of book
Author
Publisher (if you are publishing book on your own, just write “Self-Published”)
Year of publication
Place of publication
Pages
Price
Subject
Language
Paperback or Hardback
Your address for communication
In addition, you will also need to enclose the following along with the application form:
Photocopy of the cover page
Identification proof
A self addressed envelop for return communication
To download the form from authority’s website,click here
You need to send the completely filled form to the following address:
RAJA RAMMOHUN ROY NATIONAL AGENCY FOR ISBN
Ministry of Human Resource Development
West Block-1, Wing-6, 2nd Floor
Sector-1, RK Puram, New Delhi-110001
Other contact details of the above agency:
Email: isbn@nic.in
Phone: (+91-11)-26172903, (+91-11)-26172493/Extn 12
Fax: +91-11-23384687
Earlier ISBN number used to be issued in blocks of ten (i.e. you would have to apply for at least ten ISBN numbers). But as self-publishing is becoming popular, the authority has begun to issue even a single ISBN. So, if you don’t need more, you can apply for just one ISBN number.
Usually, if you have provided all the details in application form, you get ISBN within 8 weeks (two months)