The Publications Division has widened digital access to its flagship journals, weekly employment publication, e-books and printed books through Prasar Bharati’s WAVES OTT platform. The move is designed to improve public access to credible, educational and culturally relevant content across India. It combines free digital reading with affordable paid titles and an option to buy printed books online.
Flagship Journals Made Free
The Division has made several well-known journals available free of cost on WAVES. These include:
- Yojana, focused on socio-economic issues and policy analysis.
- Kurukshetra, which covers rural development and related themes.
- Aajkal, known for literature and cultural content.
- Bal Bharati, aimed at children’s education and reading.
- Employment News, a key source of recruitment notices and career guidance.
These publications are widely used by students, researchers and job seekers.
E-books and Bharat Year Book
A large collection of e-books has also been added to the platform free of charge. This includes the Bharat Year Book, a reference publication on India’s governance, economy and development initiatives. At present, 227 e-books are available for free access. The Division plans to add around 300 more e-books by the end of April. These will be offered at nominal cost to keep them affordable.
Printed Books Through Digital Commerce
The platform also supports purchase of printed books published by the Division. This is being enabled through CSC Grameen eStore under the ONDC framework. The arrangement is intended to improve reach in rural and remote areas and make physical copies easier to obtain. Currently, 524 printed books are available for purchase.
Significance for Digital Knowledge Access
The initiative reflects a broader effort to use digital platforms for public knowledge dissemination. It supports wider reading access, especially for learners, competitive exam aspirants and general readers. By combining free journals, e-books and printed book access, the Publications Division is building a more inclusive reading ecosystem.
Last Modified: April 28, 2026