India has always been home to some of the most talented and fearless journalists, and their work continues to redefine the rules of media. They shape public opinion, hold power to account, and push the boundaries of what journalism can achieve. From covering wars and politics to business, digital media, and beyond, these journalists have made the Fourth Estate both influential and unforgettable.
In this list, we have listed the Top Indian Journalists who have revolutionised news reporting, inspired generations, and set new benchmarks in storytelling, courage, and integrity. Whether you’re a media enthusiast or just curious about the people behind the headlines, these icons of Indian journalism have truly left a mark on the nation’s democratic fabric.
The Crucial Role of Journalism in India
By shaping a nation’s conditions, journalism typically fulfils the duties of informing bestowed upon it in a diverse and vibrant land such as India.
- Safe-Guarding Democracy: Journalism is the Fourth Pillar of the Constitution in India, checks power, and upholds the rights of its citizens.
- Increased Transparency: Journalists expose corruption, government failures, and systemic problems within institutions to ensure transparency.
- Educating the Public: Through reporting, journalists help the public understand complex policies, steps taken in global affairs, and local issues.
- Empowering Marginalised Voices: Journalism enables underrepresented voices to share their narratives on national platforms.
- Conflict and Crisis Reporting: When calamities or pandemics strike, journalists are the first to report on both the humanitarian aspects and the calamities themselves.
- Propelling Social Change: Landmark investigative journalism has led to reforms, including amendments to the legal framework and programmes to increase public participation.
Who Are the Highest-Paid Journalists in India?
Unlike other professions, the Indian journalism industry has some of the most prominent figures who begin their journey from humble backgrounds. The following 10 journalists are presently the highest-paid professionals in the Indian journalism industry:
- Arnab Goswami – Republic Media Network
- Rajat Sharma – India TV
- Rajdeep Sardesai – India Today Group
- Barkha Dutt – Mojo Story
- Sudhir Chaudhary – Aaj Tak/Digital
- Ravish Kumar – Independent/YouTube
- Anjana Om Kashyap – Aaj Tak
- Rahul Kanwal – India Today/NDTV
- Shweta Singh – Aaj Tak
- Palki Sharma Upadhyay – Firstpost
Leading Indian Journalists 2026: Career Highlights at a Glance
| Journalist | Prominent Affiliations | Key Focus / Expertise | Notable Shows / Achievements |
| Shekhar Gupta | ThePrint, Indian Express, India Today | Political reporting, policy analysis | Cut the Clutter, Walk the Talk, Padma Bhushan |
| Ravish Kumar | NDTV India, Independent YouTube | Ground reporting, social justice | Prime Time, Ramon Magsaysay Award |
| Anjana Om Kashyap | Aaj Tak, Zee News, News 24 | Hindi news, political journalism | Halla Bol, Best Hindi News Anchor awards |
| Barkha Dutt | NDTV, Mojo Story | Conflict reporting, health journalism | We The People, Kargil coverage, Padma Shri |
| Rajdeep Sardesai | India Today, NDTV, CNN-IBN | Elections, democracy, TV journalism | News Today, Padma Shri, Ramnath Goenka Award |
| Rajat Sharma | India TV | Interview format, people-centric stories | Aap Ki Adalat, Padma Bhushan |
| Suhasini Haidar | The Hindu, CNN-IBN, CNN Int’l | Diplomatic reporting, foreign policy | WorldView, Prem Bhatia Award |
| Prannoy Roy | NDTV | Data-driven reporting, election analysis | The World This Week, Red Ink Lifetime Award |
| Sudhir Chaudhary | Aaj Tak, Zee News | Data journalism, assertive analysis | DNA, Ramnath Goenka Award |
| Nidhi Razdan | NDTV | Political debates, Kashmir coverage | Left, Right & Centre, Ramnath Goenka Award |
| Arnab Goswami | Republic TV, Times Now, NDTV | Aggressive prime time journalism | The Newshour, Nation Wants to Know, Ramnath Goenka Award |
| Raj Kamal Jha | Indian Express, The Statesman | Investigative print journalism, literature | Panama Papers, Commonwealth Writers Prize |
12 Top Indian Journalists for 2026
1. Shekhar Gupta: The Print Pioneer
- Why is it on the Top List? Investigative journalism and political analysis transformed print media, and ThePrint spearheaded innovation in digital journalism.
- Years of Experience: Over 40 years in journalism (since the 1970s)
- Consistent Impact: Set standards in the industry with exposés such as the Bofors scandal; made “Cut the Clutter,” a successful, lasting format combining analysis and accessibility.
Shekhar Gupta is one of the most illustrious personalities in Indian journalism. Among the famous print journalists in India, his over forty years of experience have greatly defined the present form of print and electronic media. Leaving reporters in the 1970s, Gupta’s political reporting and knowledge of policy issues set him apart from the rest.
Earlier in his career, while serving as the Editor of the Indian Express, the man helped to turn the newspaper into one of India’s most influential investigative dailies that produced such scoops as the Bofors scandal and the dossier series famously known as the ‘string of pearls’.
Famous Shows:
- Walk the Talk (NDTV 24×7)
- Cut the Clutter (ThePrint)
- National Interest Weekly Column
Employer:
- Founder and Editor-in-Chief, ThePrint
- Former Editor-in-Chief, The Indian Express
- Former Editor-in-Chief, India Today
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2009)
- G.K. Reddy Award for Journalism
- Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed Memorial Award
- International Press Institute Award (multiple times)
2. Ravish Kumar: Voice of the Voiceless
- Why in Top List: Representation made for marginalised communities and maintaining journalistic ethics in an increasingly polarised media environment.
- Years of Experience: Over 25 years in journalism
- Consistent Impact: Ground Reporting Involved Citizen Voices; Independence and Credibility Maintained after Leaving the Mainstream Media.
Ravish Kumar identified himself as the representative of the people of India, especially the lower classes and civilians, and he has gained a reputation as the man with a conscience in Indian television journalism. From being a boy from a village in Bihar to one of the most respected presenters on News Hours, his story reflects the essence of True journalism.
In his prime show titled ‘Prime Time,’ Kumar began unique reportage incorporating analytical stories with citizens’ inputs, which could bring topics other channels didn’t bring to light.
Famous Shows:
- Prime Time
- Ravish Ki Report
- Des Ki Baat
- Hum Log
Employer:
- Former Senior Executive Editor, NDTV India
- Currently an independent journalist and YouTuber
Awards:
- Ramon Magsaysay Award (2019)
- Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (twice)
- Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Award
- Kuldip Nayar Journalism Award
- Independence Prize at the RSF Press Freedom Awards (Dec 2024)
3. Anjana Om Kashyap: Breaking the Glass Ceiling
- Why in Top List: The first female journalist raised the bar against male hegemony in Hindi news television.
- Years of Experience: Over 20 years in journalism
- Consistent Impact: Changed the face of evening news with confrontational, fact-based reporting, yet retained high viewership and influence at Aaj Tak.
For the past two decades, Anjana Om Kashyap has been one of the top Indian journalists of the new generation, who is not only challenging the male-dominated journalism industry but also a professional. Starting at Doordarshan, she was trained in raw-footage journalism before joining other stations. Yes, more recently at Aaj Tak, she has brought in a whole new evening show called “Halla Bol” that involves aggressive journalism along with solid facts.
Famous Shows:
- Halla Bol
- Special Report
- Desh Tak
Employer:
- Managing Editor, Aaj Tak
- Former anchor, News 24
- Former journalist, Zee News
Awards:
- Best Hindi News Anchor awards
- Excellence in Journalism recognition
- Various industry accolades
4. Barkha Dutt: The War Correspondent
- Why in Top List: Revolutionised conflict reporting during the Kargil War; brought the realities of the battlefield into Indian homes.
- Years of Experience: Over 25 years in journalism
- Consistent Impact: Consistent on-the-ground reporting during major national calamities has successfully transitioned from mainstream to independent digital journalism.
Barkha Dutt came as a war journalism revolutionist in India during the Kargil conflict by taking Indian families onto the battlefields with high life-like detail. Among the top Indian journalists, her coverage immediately set new standards for conflict reporting and earned her recognition from the international community. The target audience includes top news channels and companies that prefer live reporting during critical events, such as natural disasters and terrorist attacks.
Post her premature exit from NDTV, she started Mojo Story, a truly independent digital media organization covering untold stories from India’s hinterland. She is also an India-based journalist and filmmaker who conducted extensive on-the-ground reporting on the pandemic across the country.
Famous Shows:
- We The People
- The Buck Stops Here
- MoJo Story
Employer:
- Founder, Mojo Story
- Former Group Editor, NDTV
- Former Consulting Editor, NDTV
Awards:
- Padma Shri
- Global Leader for Tomorrow, World Economic Forum
- Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Award
- Multiple Indian Television Academy Awards
5. Rajdeep Sardesai: The Democracy Watchdog
- Why in Top List: Putting television journalism into practice in India; maintained impartiality while reporting on elections.
- Years of Experience: Over 30 years (from print to television to digital)
- Consistent Impact: Assisted with establishing many news channels and, most importantly, impacted how elections have been covered across the Indian media.
Rajdeep Sardesai’s journalism has spanned from the initial stages of television news channels in India to the present era of digital journalism. Among the top Indian journalists, he began his career as a print journalist at The Times of India and later pioneered television journalism, helping shape NDTV into India’s leading news channel.
His work at CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18) marked a major milestone in the development of Indian broadcast journalism. Through his extensive election coverage, starting with the Gujarat riots and continuing through several general elections, Sardesai has consistently maintained a balanced and insightful approach.
Famous Shows:
- India Today Tonight
- News Today
- Countdown
Employer:
- Consulting Editor, India Today Television
- Former Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN
- Former Editor, NDTV
Awards:
- Padma Shri
- International Broadcasters Award
- Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award
- ENBA Lifetime Achievement Award
6. Rajat Sharma: The People’s Judge
- Why in Top List: Developed the longest-running interview series on television; RACism in the promotion of its confrontational yet respectable interviewing style.
- Years of Experience: Over 35 years in journalism
- Consistent Impact: For over two decades, Aap Ki Adalat has influenced political discourse and helped build India TV into an important news channel.
Sharma’s contribution to top Indian journalists is still evident in the back of ‘Aap Ki Adalat’ (political interviews), the longest-running television program in Indian television history. ”His style of questioning in the format of a courtroom trial has managed to get even the high and mighty of India to reveal some truths, which have also been responsible for some of the chuckles in the history of television. It all began in a conservative Delhi old city and proves how journalism can change a person’s fortune to establish India TV.
Famous Shows:
- Aap Ki Adalat
- Aaj Ki Baat
- Special Report
Employer:
- Chairman and Editor-in-Chief, India TV
- Former Executive Editor, Zee News
- Former Editor, Onlooker Magazine
Awards:
- Padma Bhushan (2015)
- Indian Television Academy Hall of Fame
- Various industry excellence awards
7. Suhasini Haidar: The Global Voice
- Why in Top List: Transformed intricate diplomatic coverage into accessible formats for familiar audiences.
- Years of Experience: Over 20 years specialising in international relations
- Consistent Impact: Raised the level of foreign affairs reporting in Indian media; maintained professional integrity during transitions to digital formats.
If one journalist epitomises India’s diplomatic affairs in the public domain, it is Suhasini Haidar, one of the top Indian journalists who often translates arcane geopolitical minutiae into accessible formats. Her reporting on South Asian politics and world diplomacy has helped the Indian population develop a broader perspective on international matters.
Based in New Delhi, she has been a consistent contributor to The Hindu and, as the Diplomatic Affairs Editor, has upheld the newspaper’s high standards in foreign affairs while successfully transitioning to the digital space.
Famous Shows:
- WorldView
- The World Tonight
- Diplomatic Dispatch
Employer:
- Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu
- Former Foreign Affairs Editor, CNN-IBN
- Former Senior Editor, CNN International
Awards:
- Prem Bhatia Award
- Haldighati Award
- Maharana Mewar Foundation Award
- Columbia-DuPont Broadcast Journalism Award (team)
8. Prannoy Roy: The Pioneer
- Why in Top List: Established professional television news in India; introduced data-based election analysis.
- Years of Experience: Over 40 years in media
- Consistent Impact: Founded NDTV as India’s leading English news channel and set professional standards for Indian broadcasting.
Prannoy Roy is one of the founding fathers who professionalised Indian television news, which had previously been a government monopoly. Counted among the top Indian journalists, he brought an academic background in economics and statistics to the study of elections and psephology in independent India.
As the co-founder of NDTV, he set professional benchmarks that transformed the broadcast sector. His show “The World This Week” introduced Indians to international news coverage with a level of professionalism previously unseen on Indian television.
Famous Shows:
- The World This Week
- Countdown
- Election Special
Employer:
- Former Executive Co-Chairperson, NDTV
- Co-founder, NDTV
- Former Consultant, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
Awards:
- Red Ink Lifetime Achievement Award
- Leverhulme Trust Fellowship
- Queen Mary Prize
- Multiple industry honors
9. Sudhir Chaudhary: The Prime Time Voice
- Why in Top List: Has pioneered the use of data visualization in Hindi news; has been responsible for developing new formats for news presentation.
- Years of Experience: Over 25 years in television journalism
- Consistent Impact: Kept viewer ratings steady across a number of channels and effectively influenced the style of Hindi news presentation all over the country.
Sudhir Chaudhary is one of the top Indian journalists on Hindi news channels, known for his unique style of analysis and reach. His show DNA was the first of its kind that used data and graphics to provide information about various problems to Hindi consumers.
Beginning his journey at Zee News, he gradually carved out a place for himself as one of the most recognised anchors in Indian television. His style of presenting news or engaging with guests is confident and assertive, and he likes to break down issues using graphical displays.
Famous Shows:
- DNA
- Black & White
- Daily News Analysis
Employer:
- Consulting Editor, Aaj Tak
- Former Editor-in-Chief, Zee News
- Former CEO, Zee News Network
Awards:
- Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism
- Several industry recognitions for news presentation
- Best News Anchor awards
10. Nidhi Razdan: The Academic Journalist
- Why in Top List: fused the two aspects of classical reporting ethics one through the other unknown set of dimension; provided even-handed political coverage.
- Years of Experience: Over 20 years in journalism
- Consistent Impact: Developed formats for balanced debates during a time of polarized media; added nuance to complex issues such as Kashmir.
Radhika Razdan belongs to the generation of journalists who inherited the ethic of old-school reporting while daring to transform the format and appearance of television programs. Counted among the top Indian journalists, she gained recognition over two decades at NDTV for her work as a political reporter. Her show, Left, Right & Centre, was a balanced political discussion program at a time when Indian television was increasingly leaning toward mass polarisation.
Notably, her coverage of Kashmir stood out for its ground-up and policy-analytical approach, unlike typical conflict reporting. Her brief stint in academia further emphasised the importance of professional rigour and ethical standards in journalism.
Famous Shows:
- Left, Right & Centre
- The Big Fight
- India Decides
Employer:
- Former Executive Editor, NDTV
- Former Primary Anchor, NDTV 24×7
- Visiting Faculty, journalism institutions
Awards:
- Ramnath Goenka Award
- Teacher’s Achievement Award
- International Press Institute Award
- Best News Anchor Award
11. Arnab Goswami: The Disruptor
- Why in Top List: A complete transformation of primetime news presentation style and viewership behavior
- Years of Experience: Over 25 years across multiple channels
- Consistent Impact: Created the highest-rated English news program, built an independent media business to challenge existing players.
Arnab Goswami has completely changed the face of television news media in India with his high-pitched, aggressive anchoring style. Counted among the top Indian journalists, he began his career at NDTV and later transitioned to Times Now, where he pioneered a new kind of prime-time news format—an hour and a half of news blended with elements of entertainment, anchored on the presentation of ‘shock’ and ‘anger’.
His show, The Newshour, became the number one English news program, reshaping the dynamics of broadcast journalism and inspiring similar formats across channels. The launch of Republic TV marked a new chapter in Indian media startups, challenging traditional competitors through innovative marketing strategies and programming.
Famous Shows:
- The Newshour
- Nation Wants to Know
- Frankly Speaking
Employer:
- Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief, Republic Media Network
- Former Editor-in-Chief, Times Now
- Former Senior Editor, NDTV
Awards:
- Ramnath Goenka Award for Excellence in Journalism
- Asian Television Award
- Society Young Achievers Award
- Top-paid status in 2025
12. Raj Kamal Jha: The Literary Journalist
- Why in Top List: Up to the present date, has been maintaining traditional print journalism values and standards, yet adapting to the digital world.
- Years of Experience: Over 25 years in print journalism
- Consistent Impact: Spearheaded major investigative projects, like the Panama Papers coverage, while defending editorial integrity in a hostile environment for the press
Raj Kamal Jha is a personification of old-world print journalism values in the new paradigm of social journalism. He continues the newspaper’s investigative journalism tradition while overseeing The Indian Express and addressing new media issues. As a result of the novelist’s experience, it is possible to observe the literary character of journalism in the long paper.
During his tenure, the Indian Express has covered major investigative journalism, including the Panama Papers Scandal in India. Focusing on realistic fact-checking and tending to uphold the newspaper’s strict standards of what can and cannot be printed, he has kept the paper honest in the post-truth age.
Famous Shows:
- Editorial Leadership at The Indian Express
- Various literary works and journalism pieces
Employer:
- Chief Editor, The Indian Express
- Former Editorial Team Member, The Statesman
- Various international publications
Awards:
- Commonwealth Writers Prize
- Rabindranath Tagore Literary Prize
- International Press Institute India Award
- Editor of the Year (IAA Awards)
- Journalist of the Year award (2025 Mumbai Press Club)
Top Indian Journalists 2026 Ranking: Categorised List
| Category | Top Journalists |
| TV News Anchors | Arnab Goswami, Rajat Sharma, Sudhir Chaudhary, Anjana Om Kashyap, Shweta Singh |
| Print & Columnists | Rajdeep Sardesai, P. Sainath, Shekhar Gupta |
| Digital Journalists | Ravish Kumar, Faye D’Souza, Barkha Dutt, Palki Sharma Upadhyay |
| Investigative Journalists | Rahul Kanwal, Sreenivasan Jain, Josy Joseph |
How to Find or Contact a Journalist
Connecting with journalists requires strategic thinking and planning. To get through the doors of prominent media houses, it is imperative that you use these particular professional channels:
- Official Handles: Most prominent journalists are highly active on X (formerly Twitter) and tend to respond when tagged.
- LinkedIn Networking: It still remains the most efficient platform for professional networking and sharing press releases.
- Newsroom Portals: Reaching out to the “Editorial Desk” of prominent networks such as India Today or Republic TV can be extremely helpful.
- Media Directories: Professional networks and PR tools provide email addresses for prominent investigative journalists.
- Public Events: Attending media conferences or literature festivals offers opportunities for face-to-face meetings.
Legacy and Impact
These Top Indian Journalists have acted as journalists, formed opinions, and influenced democracy in India. Their work remains a legendary touchstone for younger generations of journalists who yearn to uphold professionalism in journalism amid the dynamic media landscape.
Collectively, these Indian Journalists have gone a step further to improve the face of professional journalism in India. This gives Asch a commitment to truth, investigative reporting, and ethical journalism, which has helped shape the standards of the profession.
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How We Choose the Best Indian Journalists
Choosing the best journalists from a country that boasts over 900 news channels requires a multidimensional approach. This ensures that the information obtained is accurate and fair. To achieve this, our selection criteria for the best journalists in India are based on the tangible impact they create on the national discourse. These criteria include:
- Mass Reach: This involves evaluating journalists’ impact on the population. For television journalists, this is done by assessing their TRP ratings. For independent journalists, this involves assessing their growth in subscriber numbers.
- Editorial Integrity: This criterion ensures that journalists maintain a reputation for factual reporting and for holding those in power accountable.
- Industry Awards: This includes journalists recognised by prestigious institutions, such as the Ramon Magsaysay Awards and the Padma Awards.
- Social Influence: This evaluates journalists’ ability to create trending topics on social media platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.
- Professional Experience: Most journalists listed in this category have more than two decades of experience in the high-pressure environment of a newsroom.
Conclusion
Their writings have played a significant role in portraying the status of India as an emergent economy in the post-colonial period. These top Indian Journalists proved valuable in providing the narrative of modern India. The principles of journalism they uphold – integrity, courage, and commitment to truth – are as applicable today as journalism undergoes the changes caused by the digital revolution. These are the true historical chronicles that have recorded grassroots history and been instrumental in shaping it.
FAQs
1. What are a few Indian journalists named in this article?
This article presents examples of famous Journalists today, such as Shekhar Gupta, Ravish Kumar, Anjana Om Kashyap, Barkha Dutt, and Rajdeep Sardesai, among others, who have had different impacts on Indian journalism.
2. What have these top Indian journalists done for journalism?
These journalists have changed the direction of reporting, developing new formats, advocating for investigative journalism, asking critical social and political questions, and demanding high standards of ethical practice.
3. Why is Ravish Kumar called the ‘Voice of the Voiceless’?
Ravish Kumar is noted for simple, acute ground reporting and a social justice perspective in particular overlooked areas of society.
4. In what way has digital innovation affected the working lives of these journalists?
Numerous media personalities in India, including Shekhar Gupta and Barkha Dutt, have moved online with YouTube channels and independent media outlets.
5. Which personal traits can be traced to make these top Indian journalists pioneers in their field?
I encourage people to be brave, honest, and innovative, as well as to revolve around the truth, and I wish them to become Indian media pioneers and democracy’s spearheads.