Times of India Classified Ad Rates Patna: Complete Guide for 2026
Times of India Classified Ad Rates Patna: Complete Guide for 2026
Table of Contents
What Are Times of India Classified Ad Rates in Patna?
Why Does the Edition Choice Matter in Patna?
What Are All the TOI Patna Edition Rates?
How Does TOI Bihar Differ From Patna Times?
How to Choose the Right Edition for a Patna Classified Ad
Common Mistakes When Booking a Patna TOI Classified Ad
How Much Does a Times of India Classified Ad in Patna Actually Cost?
What Are Times of India Classified Ad Rates in Patna?
Times of India classified ad rates in Patna vary by edition and format. Rates start at ₹19 per sq cm for the TOI Jharkhand (Patna Split) and reach ₹137 per sq cm for the Multi Column format of TOI Bihar. Patna Times and Ranchi Times are both priced at ₹24–₹27 per sq cm — among the most affordable city supplement options in the Times Group network.
Four editions are published from Patna, covering Bihar, Jharkhand, and their respective city audiences. The edition choice matters more here than in most cities because the Bihar and Jharkhand splits serve entirely different states — and booking the wrong one means your ad runs in a geography your audience doesn't live in.
One thing worth flagging before you look at the tables: the Multi Column rate for TOI Bihar is ₹137 per sq cm against a Block Forum base of ₹37 per sq cm. That's a 3.7x jump for a format change. I've seen advertisers miss this and end up with a bill four times what they expected. Check the format before you confirm.
Why Does the Edition Choice Matter in Patna?
Four editions, two states, two cities. None of them overlap.
TOI Bihar (Patna Split) is the primary edition for statewide Bihar reach. Highest rate in the group at ₹37 per sq cm base.
TOI Jharkhand (Patna Split) covers Jharkhand from Patna at ₹21 per sq cm — the most affordable state-level TOI split in this group.
Patna Times is a city supplement for Patna readers only. Not a substitute for TOI Bihar.
Ranchi Times is the Ranchi city equivalent — same price and structure as Patna Times, different city.
The most common mistake is using TOI Bihar for a Patna city campaign when Patna Times at ₹27 per sq cm covers the actual audience at less than three-quarters of the cost. Statewide distribution is wasted spend for a local business.
What Are All the TOI Patna Edition Rates?
The Times of India Patna group has four editions: two state-level splits (Bihar and Jharkhand) and two city supplements (Patna Times and Ranchi Times). Classified display rates range from ₹21 per sq cm for the Jharkhand split to ₹137 per sq cm for TOI Bihar Multi Column.
| Edition | Code | Base Rate (₹/sq cm) | Add-on (₹/sq cm) | Multi Column Base (₹) | Multi Column Add-on (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Times of India – Bihar (Patna Split) | TOIBIR | 37 | 33 | 137 | 123 |
| Times of India – Jharkhand (Patna Split) | TOIJHK | 21 | 19 | 42 | 38 |
| Patna Times | PAT | 27 | 24 | 27 | 24 |
| Ranchi Times | RANT | 27 | 24 | 27 | 24 |
Rates are in force from July 9, 2020, for Classified Display Block Forum and Multi Column formats. Always confirm current rates with the TOI Patna booking desk before placing your order.
Patna Times and Ranchi Times have an unusual pricing structure: their Multi Column rate is identical to their Block Forum base rate. That means Multi Column format costs no more than Block Forum for these two supplements — which is not the case for the state-level splits. If you're booking a city supplement and want wider ad display, Multi Column is the same price.
How Does TOI Bihar Differ From Patna Times?
Different products entirely. TOI Bihar (Patna Split) is the main state-level edition — wider Bihar circulation, higher rate, better for campaigns that need to reach beyond Patna city. Patna Times is a city supplement aimed at Patna readers, priced lower and scoped tighter.
The right choice depends on what you're advertising:
TOI Bihar (TOIBIR) — statewide Bihar reach, government tenders, large recruitment drives, real estate with pan-Bihar appeal, or any campaign needing the main TOI masthead.
Patna Times (PAT) — Patna city-specific ads, neighbourhood businesses, local services, education announcements, coaching institutes. Any campaign where city targeting is enough and statewide distribution is wasted spend.
TOI Jharkhand (TOIJHK) — your only option when the target market is Jharkhand. At ₹21 per sq cm, it's the most cost-effective way to reach TOI English readers across the state.
Ranchi Times (RANT) — Ranchi city-specific placements. Same price and format structure as Patna Times.
How to Choose the Right Edition for a Patna Classified Ad
Geography first. Everything else follows.
Steps before booking:
Define your geography — Bihar statewide, Jharkhand statewide, Patna city only, or Ranchi city only? This single question eliminates two editions immediately.
Choose your format carefully — the jump from Block Forum (₹37 per sq cm) to Multi Column (₹137 per sq cm) in TOI Bihar classified display is the biggest format cost differential in this group. Only use Multi Column if the creative genuinely requires it.
Match the edition to your audience — statewide government, recruitment, and real estate ads belong in TOI Bihar. Local retail, coaching, and services belong in Patna Times.
Consider cross-state campaigns — TOI Bihar and TOI Jharkhand together give complete eastern India English coverage for approximately ₹58 per sq cm base. Two major states, one booking conversation.
Use city supplements for hyperlocal ads — Patna Times and Ranchi Times at ₹27 per sq cm are the most cost-efficient placements for city-specific classified categories.
Ask about combination packages — booking TOI Bihar alongside Patna Times sometimes attracts bundled pricing. Confirm before placing two separate orders.
Common Mistakes When Booking a Patna TOI Classified Ad
Most errors come from two places: accidentally selecting Multi Column for TOI Bihar without checking the rate, and booking the state edition when the city supplement would have been sufficient.
- ❌ Choosing Multi Column for TOI Bihar without comparing costs — ₹137 per sq cm versus ₹37 per sq cm for Block Forum. That format difference alone can quadruple your spend on a single insertion.
- ❌ Using TOI Bihar for Patna city-only campaigns — Patna Times at ₹27 per sq cm delivers city reach at less than three-quarters of the TOI Bihar base rate.
- ❌ Overlooking TOI Jharkhand — at ₹21 per sq cm it's the most affordable state-level TOI split in the group. Advertisers focused on Bihar often miss it entirely.
- ❌ Assuming Ranchi Times covers all of Jharkhand — it doesn't. Ranchi Times is a city supplement. For statewide Jharkhand reach, book TOI Jharkhand (TOIJHK).
- ❌ Missing booking deadlines — each edition has a cut-off, typically 1–2 days before publication. Confirm the deadline when placing your order, not after.
How Much Does a Times of India Classified Ad in Patna Actually Cost?
A TOI Patna classified display ad costs between ₹114 and ₹822 for a 6 sq cm insertion, depending on edition and format. Patna rates are among the lowest in the Times Group network, making it practical to book multiple editions together for cross-state Bihar and Jharkhand reach without a large budget.
| Scenario | Edition | Format | Size | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jharkhand state reach | TOI Jharkhand (Patna Split) | Block Forum | 6 sq cm | ~₹114–₹126 |
| Patna city local ad | Patna Times | Block Forum | 6 sq cm | ~₹144–₹162 |
| Ranchi city local ad | Ranchi Times | Block Forum | 6 sq cm | ~₹144–₹162 |
| Bihar state reach | TOI Bihar (Patna Split) | Block Forum | 6 sq cm | ~₹198–₹222 |
| Cross-state Bihar + Jharkhand | TOI Bihar + TOI Jharkhand | Block Forum | 6 sq cm each | ~₹312–₹348 |
| TOI Bihar Multi Column | TOI Bihar (Patna Split) | Multi Column | 6 sq cm | ~₹738–₹822 |
The cross-state combination — TOI Bihar plus TOI Jharkhand — covers two major eastern India states for roughly ₹312–₹348 per 6 sq cm insertion. For regional brands expanding into Bihar and Jharkhand, that's a strong combined reach at a rate well below comparable two-state buys in western India.
FAQ: Times of India Classified Ad Rates Patna
Q1: What is the cheapest TOI edition for classified ads in the Patna region?
TOI Jharkhand (Patna Split) at ₹19–₹21 per sq cm. In the case of city-specific placements, the rates of Patna Times and Ranchi Times are both ₹24-27 per sq cm, and the advantage is that Multi Column format is as expensive as Block Forum in the case of these two supplements. That is not available in other Times Group editions in this region.
Q2: What is the difference between TOI Bihar and Patna Times?
TOI Bihar covers the entire state at ₹37 per sq cm. Patna Times covers Patna city at ₹27 per sq cm. When your campaign is local to the city, such as a coaching school, a local property listing, a neighbourhood service, then Patna Times is the correct and less expensive option. TOI Bihar is reasonable when you require Bihar-wide distribution or the reputation of the main TOI masthead in tenders, large recruitment or institutional advertising.
Q3: Why is the TOI Bihar Multi Column rate so much higher than Block Forum?
Multi Column is a wider, more prominent ad format that runs across multiple columns and competes for premium ad position. The ₹137 per sq cm Multi Column rate versus ₹37 per sq cm Block Forum is a significant differential — higher than most other editions in the Times Group. Always calculate both formats before confirming. A 6 sq cm Multi Column ad in TOI Bihar costs roughly ₹750–₹820. The same size in Block Forum is ₹198–₹222. That gap matters.
Q4: Can I reach both Bihar and Jharkhand with one booking?
No single TOI edition covers both states. Book TOI Bihar (Patna Split) and TOI Jharkhand (Patna Split) separately. Together they give complete English-language newspaper coverage across Bihar and Jharkhand at a combined base rate of approximately ₹58 per sq cm. Ask the TOI Patna booking desk whether a combined insertion package is available — it may reduce the total cost.
Q5: Is Patna Times or TOI Bihar better for education ads in Patna city?
Patna Times. It is cheaper at 27 per sq cm compared to 37 per sq cm of TOI Bihar and is more focused on urban readers. In the case of coaching institutes, private schools, competitive exam centres, and university admissions in Patna, the city supplement is the appropriate choice. TOI Bihar should be used to advertise education only when your institution has more than one location in Bihar or is conducting statewide admissions.
Q6: What is Ranchi Times and who should advertise in it?
Ranchi Times (RANT) is a city supplement that aims at Ranchi readers in Jharkhand. Same price as Patna Times - 27 per sq cm - and same odd structure where Multi Column is not any more expensive than Block Forum. Right to Ranchi-based businesses, local real estate, schools, and service providers. Not a replacement of TOI Jharkhand in case you require statewide Jharkhand coverage.
Q7: Are TOI Patna classified ad rates negotiable?
Published rates are conventional. Bundled pricing is sometimes applicable to multi-edition bookings. Ask point-blank - and have any agreed rate in writing before confirming the insertion order.
Which Times of India Patna Edition Should You Choose?
Times of India classified ads in Patna cover two states and two cities at some of the most affordable rates in the Times Group network. TOI Bihar at ₹37 per sq cm is the only option for statewide Bihar reach — but watch the Multi Column rate before booking. TOI Jharkhand at ₹21 per sq cm is the right choice for Jharkhand. Patna Times and Ranchi Times at ₹27 per sq cm deliver city-level reach at a lower cost than the state editions.
For most local businesses, Patna Times is the right starting point. Scale up to TOI Bihar only when statewide distribution is genuinely needed.
Always verify current rates directly with the TOI Patna booking desk before placing your order. The rate card has been in force since July 2020 and may have been updated.
Next steps:
Identify whether your campaign needs statewide or city-level reach in Bihar or Jharkhand.
Compare Block Forum and Multi Column costs before confirming your format — especially for TOI Bihar where the rate difference is substantial.
Contact the TOI Patna booking desk or place your order through Riyo Advertising — an authorised Times of India booking partner covering Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern India editions. They confirm the rate, handle the insertion order, and send you a reference number without the back-and-forth.
Planning a classified ad campaign across Bihar and Jharkhand? Use the edition rate tables above to build your multi-edition plan, then confirm current pricing and book directly through Riyo Advertising.
Internal links to add:
Times of India Classified Ad Rates Mumbai – Complete Guide
Times of India Classified Ad Rates Nagpur – Complete Guide
Times of India Classified Ad Rates Pune – Complete Guide
External links to add:
