National Press Day ( NPD ) is observed every year across India on 16 November to commemorate the day the Press Council of India (PCI) began functioning, safeguarding journalistic standards and protecting press freedom.

Theme:

2025 Theme: “Safeguarding Press Credibility amidst Rising Misinformation”

Focus: The theme focuses on countering misinformation in the digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) age.

Background:

Commission: The 1st Press Commission in 1954 recommended creating a statutory authority composed of industry-linked members to uphold professional ethics in journalism.

Establishment: The PCI was established on 4 July 1966 under the Press Council Act, 1965.

The PCI began functioning as a watchdog body on 16 November 1966.

The PCI was re-established in 1979 as

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