What Is an ISSN? Print, e-ISSN, ISSN-L and How to Get One

An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an eight-digit code that uniquely identifies a serial publication, such as a journal, magazine or newspaper, in a particular medium. A print journal and its online version carry separate ISSNs, linked together by a single ISSN-L. In India, ISSNs are assigned free of charge by the ISSN National Centre for India at CSIR-NIScPR, New Delhi. An ISSN tells you which publication you are looking at; it does not tell you anything about that publication’s quality.

What an ISSN looks like

An ISSN is written as two groups of four digits separated by a hyphen, preceded by the letters “ISSN”, for example ISSN 1234-5679. The last character is a check digit calculated from the first seven, used to catch typing errors. Because the check digit can have a value of 10, it is sometimes written as the letter X.

The number itself carries no meaning. It does not encode the country, the subject or the publisher. It is simply a unique label.

Who issues ISSNs

ISSNs are managed by the ISSN Network, coordinated by the ISSN International Centre in Paris, with national centres in member countries. Each national centre assigns ISSNs to serials published in its country. Publications from India are handled by the ISSN National Centre for India, which is run by the National Science Library of CSIR-NIScPR (the National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research) in New Delhi.

All ISSN records are searchable on the ISSN Portal (portal.issn.org), which is the easiest place to check whether a number is genuine and which title it belongs to.

Print ISSN, electronic ISSN and ISSN-L

An ISSN identifies a publication in one specific medium. That means:

• A journal published only in print has a print ISSN (often written p-ISSN).
• A journal published only online has an electronic ISSN (often written e-ISSN or online ISSN).
• A journal published in both forms needs two separate ISSNs, one for each medium. An ISSN assigned to one format must not be used for the other.

To connect the different versions, the ISSN Network designates a linking ISSN, or ISSN-L. It is one of the publication’s existing ISSNs, chosen to act as a common identifier for all its media versions. A journal has only one ISSN-L however many formats it appears in. Libraries and databases use it to group the print and online versions together.

When a journal needs a new ISSN

An ISSN is tied to the title and the medium. A new ISSN is generally needed if the journal’s title changes significantly or if it moves to a new medium (for example, from print to online only). Under the Indian centre’s guidelines, changes of publisher, place of publication, frequency or editorial policy do not, by themselves, require a new ISSN.

How a journal in India gets an ISSN

The process is run online through the ISSN India portal of CSIR-NIScPR. The broad steps, based on the centre’s published guidelines, are:

1. Check for duplicates. Search the Indian and international ISSN databases to make sure your title is not already registered to someone else.
2. Prepare the publication. The centre expects certain basics, such as a clearly defined subject or audience, an editorial board with full details of members, and the publisher’s name and full postal address shown on the publication or website.
3. Apply online with the required information and documents, including proof of the publisher’s address.
4. Submit the publication for examination. For a print journal, this means a copy of the issue or its key pages. For an online journal, it means the working web address of the journal.
5. Wait for processing. The centre’s guidelines indicate a processing time of at least 30 working days for complete applications, and longer if information is missing.

Online journals must publish first

For online journals, the Indian centre does not assign an ISSN in advance. The journal must first publish an issue containing enough articles to count as a complete issue. Print journals may, under conditions set by the centre, apply shortly before release with a full mock-up. This is why many new open access journals in India publish their first issue without an ISSN and apply afterwards.

Is there a fee?

No. The ISSN India guidelines state that ISSNs are assigned free of charge. Be cautious of agents who charge for “ISSN registration” services. You can apply directly yourself.

Requirements and procedures can be revised, so always read the current guidelines on the CSIR-NIScPR ISSN pages before applying.

An ISSN is an identifier, not a quality mark

This is the single most important point for authors. An ISSN:

• Does confirm that a serial has been registered with the ISSN Network under a particular title and medium.
• Does not mean the journal is peer reviewed.
• Does not mean the journal is indexed in any database.
• Does not mean the journal is approved by the UGC or any regulator.
• Does not guarantee ethical publishing practices.

Predatory journals often have ISSNs, and hijacked journals often display the ISSN of the genuine journal they imitate. Use the ISSN as one verification step among many, not as proof of quality. Our guides on identifying predatory journals and choosing a law journal explain the other checks.

How to verify an ISSN in two minutes

1. Copy the ISSN from the journal’s website.
2. Search it on the ISSN Portal.
3. Check that the title in the record matches the journal exactly.
4. Check that the medium matches (print or online).
5. Where the record lists a web address, compare it with the site you are on.

If any of these do not match, ask the journal for an explanation before you submit.

ISSN, ISBN and DOI compared

For more on article-level identifiers, read our guide on what a DOI is.

LJLPS and its ISSN

The Lexfolio Journal of Law, Policy and Social Sciences (LJLPS) is a new online journal. It does not yet have an ISSN. In line with the rule that online journals apply after their first complete issue, it will apply for an e-ISSN after Volume 1, Issue 1 is published.

Frequently asked questions

Does an ISSN mean a journal is UGC approved?

No. An ISSN is only a registration number for a serial publication. It has no connection with UGC approval or with any judgment about quality or peer review.

How much does an ISSN cost in India?

Nothing. The ISSN National Centre for India at CSIR-NIScPR assigns ISSNs free of charge. Publishers can apply directly through the official online portal.

Can an online journal get an ISSN before its first issue?

Under the Indian centre’s guidelines, no. An online journal must first publish a complete issue, and then apply with its web address.

Do print and online versions share one ISSN?

No. Each medium gets its own ISSN. The two are linked by a single ISSN-L designated by the ISSN Network.