Rahul Kanwal NDTV CEO, To Take Charge After June Mid
Senior journalist Rahul Kanwal has been appointed as the next Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV. His appointment, announced through a regulatory filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and the National Stock Exchange (NSE), will take effect from 16 June 2025, subject to approval from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Kanwal’s move marks a significant leadership change at NDTV, following the channel’s series of strategic shifts under the Adani Group’s ownership. The decision to appoint Kanwal was approved by the Board of Directors at its meeting on 25 April 2025, based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee.
An alumnus of Delhi University, Cardiff University, and the General Management Program at Harvard Business School, Kanwal is a seasoned journalist with over 25 years of experience. He is a Chevening Scholar and a recipient of the Roy Peck Trust Grant for Hostile Environment Journalism. Over his distinguished career, he has won multiple awards for journalistic excellence.
Prior to this new role, Kanwal served as the News Director of TVTN and Executive Director of Business Today at the India Today Group, where he worked for more than two decades. His departure from India Today was formally announced earlier this month by the Group’s Vice Chairperson Kalli Purie. In his resignation letter, Kanwal described his journey with India Today as one of deep professional fulfilment, calling Aroon Purie “much more than a boss – a mentor, a guide, a lodestar.”
Kanwal’s resignation came amid a broader talent shift, with several senior figures including Shiv Aroor also moving to NDTV. Aroor, a long-time colleague at India Today, recently joined NDTV as Managing Editor, expressing excitement about “building something special” at the network.
At NDTV, Kanwal’s mandate will involve overseeing editorial, strategic, and operational functions. Industry observers note that his appointment signals the network’s continued focus on consolidating editorial strength under the Adani Group’s leadership, following the 2022 acquisition that saw the exit of several prominent names, including Ravish Kumar, Sreenivasan Jain, and Nidhi Razdan.
NDTV’s regulatory filing stated: “We wish to inform you that based on the recommendation of the Nomination and Remuneration Committee and subject to the approval of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on April 25, 2025, has considered and approved the appointment of Mr Rahul Kanwal as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Key Managerial Personnel of the Company, with effect from June 16, 2025.”
Kanwal’s extensive background in political and defence journalism, as well as his leadership of initiatives such as the Anti-Fake News War Room (AFWA) and the Open Source Intelligence Desk (OSINT) at India Today, is expected to add significant editorial heft to NDTV’s offerings. His programmes such as Newstrack and Jab We Met helped him become a defining face of Indian television news.
NDTV, founded in 1984 by Radhika Roy and Prannoy Roy, has seen a series of leadership changes over the years. Figures such as Vikram Chandra, K.V.L. Narayan Rao, and Suparna Singh have previously helmed the network. Following the Roys’ divestment of most of their shares to the Adani Group’s AMG Media Networks in 2022, the company has been actively restructuring its editorial and executive teams.
Kanwal’s appointment also follows broader organisational changes at NDTV, including the appointment of Upendra Kumar Sinha as Non-Executive Chairperson and Sanjay Pugalia and Senthil Chengalvarayan as Executive Directors. Purva Misra, a former senior executive at India Today Group, was recently named Chief People Officer, further strengthening the network’s leadership cadre
