How to register with India's two main music royalty collecting societies and start receiving the royalties you're entitled to.
Why Every Indian Artist Needs to Register
Two separate royalty streams exist for every song that gets played:
1. PUBLISHING / COMPOSITION ROYALTIES: Generated when the song (the melody and words) is performed, broadcast, or streamed. Collected by IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society) on behalf of composers and lyricists.
2. MASTER RECORDING ROYALTIES: Generated when the specific recording is broadcast or played publicly (radio, venues, events, streaming). Collected by PPL India on behalf of whoever owns the recording (typically the artist or label).
Most independent Indian artists either don't know these royalties exist or assume their distributor collects everything. They do not. Your distributor collects only the digital master royalties for streaming. IPRS and PPL India collect the rest — but only if you're a registered member.
An unregistered artist is leaving significant money uncollected. Radio airplay alone on stations like Radio Mirchi, Big FM, Red FM, and Radio City generates royalties via PPL India. Every show in a venue that plays your music, every wedding DJ who uses your track — these generate PPL royalties. Without registration, you receive nothing.
Part 1: IPRS (Indian Performing Rights Society)
What IPRS Does
IPRS is the statutory body that licenses the right to publicly perform or broadcast musical compositions (the song — music and lyrics). It collects royalties from:
- Radio stations (Radio Mirchi, Big FM, Red FM, Radio City, Fever FM, AIR)
- Television channels
- Streaming platforms (for the composition share — separate from master royalties)
- Hotels, restaurants, airlines, and any business that plays music publicly
- Concert venues and event organisers (for performing compositions live)
Who Can Join IPRS
- Composers (those who write the music/melody)
- Lyricists (those who write the words)
- Music publishers (companies that administer publishing rights)
NOTE: Performers and labels do NOT join IPRS — that is PPL India's territory.
How to Register with IPRS
Step 1: Visit iprs.org Step 2: Go to "Membership" section Step 3: Choose member category: Composer / Lyricist / Publisher Step 4: Complete the online application form Step 5: Upload required documents:
- Identity proof (Aadhaar / PAN / Passport)
- Address proof
- Bank account details (for royalty payments)
- Sample of work (recordings, sheet music, or other evidence of authorship)
- For composers/lyricists: list of works to register
Step 6: Pay membership fee (check current rates at iprs.org — fees are revised periodically) Step 7: Receive your IPRS membership number and IPI/CAE number (your unique identifier in the global rights ecosystem)
Registration of Works
After joining IPRS, register each composition you want tracked. Include:
- Song title
- Composer name(s) and shares
- Lyricist name(s) and shares
- Publisher (if any)
- ISRC code (if the recording is already released)
Royalty Distribution
IPRS distributes royalties twice a year. Payments are made by NEFT to your registered bank account. Log in to the IPRS member portal to check your royalty statements.
IPRS Contact
Website: iprs.org Mumbai office: IPRS House, 203, Bldg No. 28-D, Raheja Nagar, Andheri (East), Mumbai 400 069 Phone: +91 22 6642 6666
Part 2: PPL India (Phonographic Performance Limited India)
What PPL India Does
PPL India licenses the right to publicly broadcast or perform sound recordings (the specific recording of a song). It collects royalties from:
- Radio stations (both public and private)
- Television channels (for music used in programming)
- Hotels, restaurants, bars, retail stores, gyms, events — any public venue playing recorded music
- Airlines and hospitality businesses
- Live performance events (if the recorded track is used)
Who Can Join PPL India
- Producers of sound recordings (anyone who owns or controls the master recording)
- Record labels
- Independent artists who own their own masters
How to Register with PPL India
Step 1: Visit pplindia.org Step 2: Go to "Member Login" or "Become a Member" Step 3: Select member type: Producer / Performer Step 4: Complete the application form Step 5: Upload required documents:
- Identity proof (PAN Card — mandatory for Indian residents)
- Aadhaar Card or passport
- Address proof
- Bank account details
- Evidence of ownership of sound recordings (distribution agreements, contracts, copyright registration)
- List of sound recordings to register (title, ISRC, release date, artists)
Step 6: Pay membership fee (check current rates at pplindia.org) Step 7: Receive PPL India membership number
Registration of Recordings
Register each released recording after becoming a member. Provide ISRC codes for all recordings — this is how PPL tracks plays and allocates royalties.
Royalty Distribution
PPL India distributes royalties quarterly. Payment by NEFT to registered bank account.
PPL India Contact
Website: pplindia.org Mumbai office: 1401, Raheja Chambers, Nariman Point, Mumbai 400 021 Phone: +91 22 2204 0823 / 2287 5011
Part 3: What About International Royalties?
If your music is played on radio or in public venues outside India, international collecting societies collect those royalties. Through reciprocal agreements between societies, IPRS and PPL India should receive royalties from international societies and pass them to you — but only if you are a member.
To maximise international royalty collection:
- Register with IPRS (for compositions played internationally)
- Register with PPL India (for recordings played internationally)
- Consider also registering directly with international societies if you have significant airplay in a specific market (e.g., PRS for Music in the UK, BMI/ASCAP in the USA)
Part 4: Timeline and Best Practices
When to register:
- Ideally: before your first release
- Minimum: before your first release that will receive radio play, streaming, or public performance
Registration timeline:
- IPRS: Typically 2–4 weeks for membership approval after document submission
- PPL India: Typically 2–4 weeks for membership approval
After registration:
- Register every new work with IPRS within 30 days of release
- Register every new recording with PPL India after release
- Update your ISRC database with IPRS and PPL India as new releases go live
- Check your royalty statements twice a year (IPRS) and quarterly (PPL India)
- Ensure your bank account details are current on both portals
IPRS vs. PPL INDIA — QUICK COMPARISON
Aspect | IPRS | PPL India ───────|──────|────────── What is collected | Composition/publishing royalties | Master recording royalties Who joins | Composers, lyricists, publishers | Labels, producers, artists (who own masters) What generates royalties | When composition is performed or broadcast | When the recording is publicly broadcast or performed Radio royalties | Yes (for composition) | Yes (for the recording) Streaming royalties | Partial (Indian DSP publishing share) | Via distributor mostly; PPL for broadcast Live performance royalties | Yes (when your songs are performed) | For uses of your recording in events Payment frequency | Twice yearly | Quarterly
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Free to use · Part of the Indie Music India toolkit · Updated September 2026