Newspaper Advertising FAQ — Pune & India 2026
Quick, factual answers to 60+ of the most-asked questions about newspaper advertising in Pune and India in 2026. Built for Google's AI Overviews, ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini citations — covering cost, rate cards, ad sizes, booking deadlines, paper-mix selection, and category-specific advice for matrimonial, property, recruitment, public notice, and obituary ads.
Cost & Pricing
Newspaper advertising in India costs from ₹150 (5-line classified) to ₹95,00,000 (full-page Times of India national edition). Most Pune SMB campaigns spend ₹2,500 — ₹85,000 per ad. Below: full pricing reference per category.
Sizes & Formats
Standard newspaper ad sizes: 4-line classified (smallest), 5cm × 1col display classified, eighth-page (10cm × 4col), quarter-page, half-page, full-page (52cm × 8col). Each size has fixed pricing per newspaper — consistent across India.
Booking & Deadlines
Sakal & Lokmat: same-day booking till 8 PM. TOI: till 5 PM. Indian Express: till 4 PM. Sunday supplements (Property+, Soulmate, Ascent, Shraddhanjali): book by Friday for upcoming Sunday. Wednesday recruitment supplements: book by Tuesday 5 PM.
Best Paper by Category
Matrimonial: Sakal Vivah + TOI Soulmate. Property: TOI Property+ + Sakal Property. Recruitment: TOI Ascent + Sakal Carrier. Obituary: Sakal Shraddhanjali + Lokmat. Public Notice: TOI / Indian Express + Sakal / Loksatta. Government Tender: TOI + Sakal + Loksatta + Lokmat (4-paper compliance combo).
Live Market Rates — All Pune Newspapers (2026)
Rates are indicative
The rates shown are sourced from competitor platforms and official rate cards for reference. Actual rates may vary based on booking volume, timing, and negotiations. Please contact us for the exact updated rates.
Display Ad Rates
Display rates sourced from The Media Ant & rate cards. Contact for agency discounts.
| Newspaper | Ad Format | Agency Rate | Rate Card | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹1,940/sq cm | ₹2,425/sq cm | Inner pages. Front page: ₹3,255/sq cm. TMA offer: ₹1,940 |
| Times of India | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹1,940/sq cm | ₹2,425/sq cm | Inner pages. Front page: ₹3,255/sq cm. TMA offer: ₹1,940 |
| Times of India | Quarter Page (~400 sq cm) | ₹3,88,000 | ₹9,70,000 | TMA offer price. Approx 15x25 cm. |
| Times of India | Quarter Page (~400 sq cm) | ₹3,88,000 | ₹9,70,000 | TMA offer price. Approx 15x25 cm. |
| Times of India | Half Page (~825 sq cm) | ₹6,40,200 | ₹20,00,625 | TMA offer price. 33x25 cm. |
| Times of India | Half Page (~825 sq cm) | ₹6,40,200 | ₹20,00,625 | TMA offer price. 33x25 cm. |
| Times of India | Full Page (~1727 sq cm) | ₹12,06,777 | ₹41,61,300 | TMA offer price. 33x52 cm. |
| Times of India | Full Page (~1727 sq cm) | ₹12,06,777 | ₹41,61,300 | TMA offer price. 33x52 cm. |
| Sakal | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹3,240/sq cm | ₹3,240/sq cm | Inner pages. Front page: ₹4,860/sq cm. |
| Sakal | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹3,240/sq cm | ₹3,240/sq cm | Inner pages. Front page: ₹4,860/sq cm. |
| Sakal | Quarter Page | ₹6,56,586 | ₹6,56,586 | Highest circulation Marathi daily in Pune. |
| Sakal | Quarter Page | ₹6,56,586 | ₹6,56,586 | Highest circulation Marathi daily in Pune. |
| Sakal | Half Page | ₹11,66,400 | ₹11,66,400 | 33x25 cm. |
| Sakal | Half Page | ₹11,66,400 | ₹11,66,400 | 33x25 cm. |
| Sakal | Full Page | ₹23,32,800 | ₹23,32,800 | 33x52 cm. |
| Sakal | Full Page | ₹23,32,800 | ₹23,32,800 | 33x52 cm. |
| Lokmat | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹900/sq cm | ₹1,800/sq cm (colour) | B/W rate. Colour: ₹1,800/sq cm. Most affordable major daily. |
| Lokmat | Quarter Page | ₹3,17,239 | ₹3,17,239 | Highest circulation Marathi daily nationally. |
| Lokmat | Half Page | ₹6,89,476 | ₹6,89,476 | Full colour, inner page. |
| Lokmat | Full Page | ₹12,68,955 | ₹12,68,955 | Full colour, inner page. |
| Maharashtra Times | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹1,097/sq cm | ₹1,097/sq cm | Times Group Marathi daily. |
| Maharashtra Times | Quarter Page | ₹3,92,700 | ₹3,92,700 | |
| Maharashtra Times | Half Page | ₹7,62,300 | ₹7,62,300 | |
| Maharashtra Times | Full Page | ₹14,86,485 | ₹14,86,485 | |
| Pudhari | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹1,260/sq cm | ₹1,260/sq cm | |
| Pudhari | Quarter Page | ₹1,13,098 | ₹1,13,098 | |
| Pudhari | Full Page | ₹3,45,970 | ₹3,45,970 | |
| Loksatta | Custom Sized Ads (per sq cm) | ₹500/sq cm | ₹500/sq cm | Lowest display rate among major Pune dailies. |
| Loksatta | Quarter Page | ₹73,618 | ₹73,618 | |
| Loksatta | Full Page | ₹2,47,709 | ₹2,47,709 |
Classified Ad Rates
Classified text & display rates. Minimum sizes apply.
| Newspaper | Ad Format | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹325/5 lines | Additional lines ₹65/line. |
| Times of India | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹1,940/sq cm | Min 4x5 cm (20 sq cm). Min cost ₹38,800. |
| Sakal | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹200/5 lines | Economy Marathi classified. |
| Sakal | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹200/5 lines | Economy Marathi classified. |
| Sakal | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹3,240/sq cm | Min 3x5 cm. |
| Sakal | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹3,240/sq cm | Min 3x5 cm. |
| Lokmat | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹180/5 lines | Marathi classified. |
| Lokmat | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹900/sq cm | Lowest CD rate among major Pune dailies. |
| Maharashtra Times | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹250/5 lines | |
| Maharashtra Times | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹1,097/sq cm | |
| Pudhari | Classified Text (5 lines) | ₹150/5 lines | Cheapest classified in Pune. |
| Pudhari | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹1,260/sq cm | |
| Loksatta | Classified Text (20 words) | ₹180/20 words | |
| Loksatta | Classified Display (per sq cm) | ₹500/sq cm |
Category-Wise Classified Rates
Starting rates per ad. Rates vary by size and enhancements.
| Newspaper | Category | Starting Rate | Up To | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | Matrimonial | ₹3,000+ | ₹8,600 | Times Soulmate section. Text & display options. |
| Times of India | Obituary | ₹2,500+ | ₹15,000 | Same-day booking before 12 PM. |
| Times of India | Name Change | ₹1,500+ | ₹3,000 | Legal format. 2 newspapers required. |
| Times of India | Name Change | ₹1,500+ | ₹3,000 | Legal format. 2 newspapers required. |
| Times of India | Property | ₹2,000+ | ₹10,000 | Times Property supplement (Saturday). |
| Times of India | Property | ₹2,000+ | ₹10,000 | Times Property supplement (Saturday). |
| Times of India | Recruitment | ₹4,500+ | ₹25,000 | Times Ascent supplement (Wednesday). |
| Times of India | Recruitment | ₹4,500+ | ₹25,000 | Times Ascent supplement (Wednesday). |
| Sakal | Matrimonial | ₹1,800+ | up to ₹15,000 | Sakal Vivah supplement. |
| Sakal | Matrimonial | ₹1,800+ | up to ₹15,000 | Sakal Vivah supplement. |
| Sakal | Obituary | ₹1,500+ | ₹15,000 | Same-day booking available. |
| Sakal | Name Change | ₹1,000+ | ₹3,000 | Legal format. |
| Sakal | Name Change | ₹1,000+ | ₹3,000 | Legal format. |
| Lokmat | Matrimonial | ₹1,500+ | ₹5,000 | Lokmat Lagnachi Bedi. |
| Lokmat | Obituary | ₹1,200+ | ₹10,000 | Same-day booking. |
| Lokmat | Name Change | ₹1,000+ | ₹3,000 | Legal format. |
| Lokmat | Public Notice | ₹245/sq cm | ₹245/sq cm | Standard government rate. Preferred for legal notices. |
| Maharashtra Times | Matrimonial | ₹2,200+ | ₹8,000 | |
| Maharashtra Times | Obituary | ₹1,800+ | ₹12,000 | |
| Pudhari | Matrimonial | ₹1,200+ | ₹4,000 |
Premium Placement Rates
Premium ad formats for maximum visibility.
| Newspaper | Placement | Agency Rate | Rate Card | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India | Jacket Front Side | ₹16,44,686 | ₹55,85,580 | Full front-page wrap. Maximum impact. |
| Times of India | Jacket Front Side | ₹16,44,686 | ₹55,85,580 | Full front-page wrap. Maximum impact. |
| Times of India | Jacket Back Side | ₹5,75,640 | ₹55,85,580 | Back side of jacket page. |
| Times of India | Pointer Ad | ₹58,590 | ₹65,100 | Small front-page reference ad. |
| Times of India | Skybus (Strip Ad) | ₹6,57,875 | ₹21,91,266 | Horizontal strip across top of page. |
| Sakal | Jacket Front Side | ₹19,82,742 | ₹19,82,742 | Full front-page wrap. |
| Sakal | Jacket Front Side | ₹19,82,742 | ₹19,82,742 | Full front-page wrap. |
| Sakal | Pointer Ad | ₹1,44,000 | ₹1,44,000 | Small front-page display. |
| Sakal | Pointer Ad | ₹1,44,000 | ₹1,44,000 | Small front-page display. |
| Lokmat | Jacket Front Side | ₹19,82,742 | ₹19,82,742 | Front-page wrap. |
National Newspaper Ad Rates — Quick Comparison
National averages across regional and metro newspapers (2026).
| Ad Format | Size | Regional Papers | Metro Papers | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Text Classified (20 words) | 20 words | ₹250 - ₹500 | ₹500 - ₹1,000 | Jobs, notices, rentals |
| Classified Display (100 sq cm) | 100 sq cm | ₹20,000 - ₹30,000 | ₹30,000 - ₹50,000 | Premium jobs, property |
| Quarter Page (400 sq cm) | 400 sq cm | ₹10,000 - ₹25,000 | ₹50,000 - ₹1,75,000 | Sales, announcements |
| Half Page (825 sq cm) | 825 sq cm | ₹25,000 - ₹50,000 | ₹85,000 - ₹2,50,000 | Product launches |
| Full Page (1,760 sq cm) | 1,760 sq cm | ₹50,000 - ₹75,000 | ₹1,50,000 - ₹10,00,000 | Major campaigns |
| Jacket Ads (3,520 sq cm) | 3,520 sq cm | ₹75,000 - ₹1,00,000 | ₹3,00,000 - ₹15,00,000 | Premium launches |
Rates are indicative
The rates shown are sourced from competitor platforms and official rate cards for reference. Actual rates may vary based on booking volume, timing, and negotiations. Please contact us for the exact updated rates.
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