Mumbai: In the glitzy world of Indian television news, few brands have held as much weight and legacy as the India Today Group. With its long-standing reputation, iconic editorial voices, and marquee shows, it was once considered a career-defining destination for aspiring journalists. But over the last two decades—and more noticeably, in the last two years—a curious pattern has emerged: India Today continues to produce big names, only to watch them walk out the door.
Is this the cost of success—or a failure of retention?
The Great India Today Exodus
In just the past two months, several familiar faces have exited the group. But this is not a new trend. A retrospective of the past two decades reveals a steady churn of journalistic talent—some gracefully moved on, others exited under the radar, but nearly all went on to become prominent voices and leaders elsewhere.
A look at the who’s who of Indian journalism shows an impressive alumni list: Uday Shankar, Shekhar Gupta, MJ Akbar, Swapan Dasgupta, Prabhu Chawla, T.N. Ninan, Sanjoy Narayan, Rohit Saran, Raghu Rai, Tarun Tejpal, Sanjay Pugalia, Raj Kamal Jha, Chitra Tripathi, Ashutosh Chaturvedi, Sudhir Chaudhary, Rahul Kanwal, Shiv Aroor, Nabila Jamal, and Shubhankar Mishra—all have had stints with the India Today Group before making their mark elsewhere.
The question is inevitable: Is India Today so good at talent development that it becomes a finishing school for Indian media? Or is it struggling to create a newsroom culture that fosters long-term commitment?
A Launchpad or a Newsroom?
The India Today Group has undoubtedly been a grooming ground for journalistic excellence. Anchors and editors are often given national exposure early in their careers, access to prime-time platforms, and the opportunity to build personal brands under a powerful media umbrella. The group invests heavily in production quality, promotional visibility, and digital amplification—sometimes even more than in the journalism itself.
But herein lies the paradox.
When individual fame is prioritized over institutional stability, the newsroom begins to resemble a launchpad more than a long-term home. Talents rise fast, gather a following, and then often move on to rivals, digital startups, or their own ventures.
This recurring cycle raises a critical question: Has India Today unintentionally built a star-making machine that ultimately overshadows its own brand?
A Culture in Transition?
Insights from former employees suggest that India Today’s newsroom culture has evolved—but not always for the better. Editorial independence is perceived to be shrinking. Decision-making is increasingly guided by TRPs, corporate metrics, and advertiser pressures. In such a setup, many creative and courageous voices feel undervalued or stifled.
And this isn’t just about salary packages or better titles. It’s about the editorial soul of the newsroom. Journalists today seek purpose, autonomy, and impact. They don’t want to be cogs in a ratings machine. They want to chase stories that matter, challenge narratives, and shape discourse. When they don’t find that space, they leave.
The India Today Paradox
So, is India Today failing its talent—or simply playing to the times?
The answer probably lies somewhere in between. Its ability to identify and nurture potential is unmatched. But its ongoing inability to retain that talent hints at a deeper problem. The group is producing stars faster than it can build editorial legacy, and in doing so, risks becoming a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
In an era dominated by face-driven media, where audiences follow individuals more than institutions, India Today needs to ask:
Are we building the newsroom of the future—or just grooming the next viral anchor?
Because if your newsroom becomes a revolving door for rising stars, one day you may find the brand itself fading in their shadow.