INDIAN SERIALS AND THE INDIAN NATIONAL CENTRE FOR ISSN
Purpose ISSN, the unique identifier is a vital element for information discovery. This paper chronicles the 35-year journey of the ISSN National Centre, India from its inception in 1986 to the year 2019. It also explores the different development stages of ISSN Indian Centre, and presents the challenges faced by the Centre, particularly in the ISSN assignment process, cataloguing and collaboration. Design/methodology/approach All the data for the article were collected from the in-house records of the ISSN National Centre’s annual reports and other registers for analysis. Findings During the first two decades, on an average of 177 ISSNs were assigned every year. However, during the third decade of 2007 to 2019, on an average of 1573 ISSNs were assigned every year. The spurt in the ISSNs during the last decade have been triggered by certain changes in the higher education regulatory framework in India. Originality/value This is a first-hand account of the ISSN activities of the Centre that also releases data on ISSNs assigned in India.