Individual Membership
Apply online as a working digital journalist and receive your verified WJAI press ID and certificate.
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WJAI at a glance
308Verified members
28States & UTs covered
98Media houses represented
7Years of continuous work
What we offer
Our Services
Portal Registration
Register your news website or web portal. One login can hold your membership and any number of portals.
Register PortalMember Directory
A public directory so newsrooms, police and institutions can verify a journalist in seconds.
Search MembersPortal Directory
Browse registered news portals with their logo, website and portal ID.
Browse PortalsMember Dashboard
Track your application, pay online, renew, and download your certificate and ID card.
Member LoginGrievance & Support
Facing harassment, a false case or a workplace issue? Tell us and we will help.
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Simple, transparent fees
Two registrations — register for one, or both
Individual membership and portal registration are separate — each has its own form, eligibility, fee and ID. Run a portal as well as being a journalist? Register for both, and add as many portals as you own, all under a single login.
Most Common
Individual
₹600
first year, then ₹100/year to renew
- At least 5 years' experience in any field of journalism
- Minimum educational qualification: Graduation
- Not held guilty by any court, nor named in any criminal proceeding
- First-year fee includes the Web Journalists' Welfare Fund contribution
Portal (Web Portal / News Website)
₹6,000
first year, then ₹1,000/year to renew
- Portal must have been running for at least 1 year
- Domain must be booked for at least 2 years
- Details required: daily news volume, approx. monthly hits, designation
- First-year fee includes the Web Journalists' Welfare Fund contribution
- A separate registration with its own Portal ID and renewal — it does not make you an individual member
- Own more than one portal? Add each from your dashboard — no new login needed
After your online application is received, approval is confirmed by email. You pay the fee for each registration as instructed on your dashboard once approved.
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In members' words
What members say about WJAI
★★★★★
"My WJAI press ID has made covering local events far easier — officials recognise it immediately."
★★★★★
"The member directory helped a newsroom verify my credentials for a story within minutes."
★★★★★
"Renewing my membership and downloading my certificate took less than five minutes on the dashboard."
Before you ask
Frequently asked questions
Who is eligible for WJAI membership?
Two paths: Individual members need at least 5 years' experience in journalism, a graduation qualification, and no criminal record. Portals (web portals / news websites) need to have been running for at least 1 year with the domain booked for at least 2 years. Full criteria and fees are on the registration page.
What does membership cost?
Individual membership is ₹600 for the first year (then ₹100/year to renew). A portal registration is separate and is ₹6,000 for the first year (then ₹1,000/year to renew) — it does not include individual membership, so a journalist who also runs a portal registers for both, under one login.
How long does verification take?
Most applications are reviewed within a few working days once all required details and proof of work are submitted correctly.
Is the member directory public?
Yes. The directory lets newsrooms, officials and institutions verify a member's standing by searching their name or ID number.
How long is the press ID valid?
Membership and the press ID are valid for one year from approval and can be renewed from your member dashboard before expiry.
What if I face a workplace or safety issue?
Members can raise it through our grievance channel — see Contact Us — and our team will follow up directly.
Can a news website or portal register instead of an individual?
Yes — a portal registration is separate from individual membership, so a news website can register on its own, with its own Portal ID. It is for web portals and news websites running for at least a year with the domain booked for at least two years. If you also want individual membership, register for that too — it is the same login.
I own more than one portal — do I need a separate login for each?
No. Sign in with your existing login and use "Add Another Portal" on your dashboard (or the registration form). Every portal appears as its own tab with its own status, fee, renewal and Portal ID.
How do I renew my membership?
Renewal reminders are sent before expiry — separately for your membership and for each portal — and renewal is done from the matching tab of your dashboard.
Become a WJAI member
Join India's association of digital journalists and web portals. Get a verified press ID, a place in the public directory and support when you need it.