Senior News Anchor Nidhi Kulpati Leaves NDTV
Nidhi Kulpati, a distinguished figure in Indian broadcast journalism, has announced her retirement from NDTV India after an illustrious 23-year tenure with the Noida-based media house. The seasoned anchor, renowned for her composed demeanour and incisive reporting, shared the news on May 22, 2025 via social media, expressing gratitude to her colleagues and viewers. “Today I start my day by thanking everyone for the journey that began in 2003. Today will be my last day with NDTV and my associates for the past 23 years. The love I received from the audience always kept my courage and morale high. Thanks,” she wrote.
Kulpati’s journalism journey commenced in 1991 with Newstrack, a pioneering video news magazine in India. Her early career included significant reporting, notably on the Babri Masjid demolition, which marked a notable moment in modern Indian history. She further honed her skills with stints at Doordarshan, Zee News, and the BBC, gaining diverse experience across prominent news platforms. Her academic pursuits in journalism led her to London, where she received training at Sky TV, equipping her with a global perspective on news reporting.
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Joining NDTV India in 2003, Kulpati became a familiar face to viewers, hosting several flagship programmes such as “Mukhyamantri Chale Gaon,” “Yuva Sansad,” “Dilli Durbar,” “Badi Khabar,” and “Prime Time.” Her commitment to impartial journalism and in-depth discussions earned her widespread respect and a loyal viewership barring political affiliations. Throughout her tenure, she was celebrated for her calm demeanour and incisive interviewing style, often delving into complex political and social issues with nuance and depth.
Since her joining, she has been a managing editor in NDTV and has been anchoring shows on NDTV, the broadcaster’s Hindi news channel. In NDTV, she was a contemporary of big names like Dibang, Vijay Trivedi, Ravish Kumar, Manoranjan ‘Baba’ Bharti, Vinod Dua, Nagma Sahar, Pankaj Pachauri, Kadambini Sharma, Abhigyan Prakash and Akhilesh Sharma.
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Kulpati’s personal life was marked by tragedy when her husband, Neelesh Misra, passed away in 2005 due to a heart attack. Following this loss, she chose not to remarry, dedicating herself entirely to her profession. In recognition of her contributions, she was honoured with the Pandit Hari Dutt Sharma Award in 2017, underscoring her impact on the field.
The announcement of her retirement elicited heartfelt reactions from colleagues, political figures, and admirers. Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi lauded her as “the unique identity of journalism and presentation,” praising her decency and urging her to continue her journey with success.
Nasir Khuehami, reflecting on her influence, recounted a personal interaction from 2016 when Kulpati visited his college in Uttarakhand. He described her as a source of inspiration, highlighting her fearless and dignified journalism during tumultuous times, particularly her nuanced reporting during the unrest in Kashmir following the killing of Burhan Wani. “Her departure from NDTV marks the end of an era, but I’m certain her voice will continue to guide and provoke thought wherever you go next,” he wrote.
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Journalist Sharad Sharma echoed similar sentiments, describing Kulpati as “one of the most decent, respected, knowledgeable, humble and polite anchors” he had ever met, wishing her all the best for the future.
Former NDTV colleague Sanjay Kishore offered a poignant tribute, likening her to the “voice of silence” that resonated for three decades. He reminisced about their early days at Zee News in 1998 and later at NDTV, emphasising her gentle smile, restrained voice, and dignified presentation. Kishore noted that in an era where news studios often resemble arenas, Kulpati’s style stood out for its authenticity and trustworthiness. He remarked, “Today when news studios look no less than an arena, faces like Nidhi probably look misfit. But the truth is that the same ‘misfit’ was, is and will always be the definition of real journalism.”
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Nidhi is among many other big names who left the media house after the Adani takeover including Suparna Singh, Sreenivasan Jain, Nidhi Razdan and Ravish Kumar. However, reports said Nidhi is retiring.
