The fact that the Indian publishing market is coming of age can be seen by the number of foreign publishers who have established their presence in the Indian market. Â Some estimates suggest that foreign publishers have invested around Rs 200m ($4m) in India over the past decade and had taken away profits of Rs 1 billion. However, most publisher today agree that it is still a very fragmented market with significant opportunities and challenges.
Most of course are eyeing the rising incomes and literacy rates, changing demographics which will make India the youngest nation in a little of a decade and just the sheer number of potential consumers. For example, at 362 million mobile phone users (rising at 10 million every month) it is indeed a vast market. However, most foreign publishers agree that it could take several years before India can become a significantly profitable market given the challenges with distribution (organised book retailing is still at its nascent stage).
Even then, we feel that this is an opportune time to enter the market in particular segments such as the education segment. We anticipate the publishers of education related content to show  interest in a market which is expected to grow rapidly. With an expected boom in the education sector and the increasing acceptance of international curriculum through IB affiliated schools, foreign publishers are increasingly looking at entering the K-12 market with minimal indigenisation of their content.Â
It is this segment we feel which presents some of the most interesting opportunities for foreign publishers in India.
