Switch on any news channel in India today and you will see a familiar face leading the show. But the list of who actually matters in Indian news has changed a lot in the last few years. Some old favourites are still going strong. Some anchors have quietly moved from TV studios to YouTube and built even bigger audiences there. And a few new names have shown up almost out of nowhere.
And whether you like your reporting calm and fact-based or your prime-time debates loud, you will see a familiar name (and maybe a few new ones) on this list. Here are top 50 news anchor in india.
How We Ranked These 50 Anchors
There is no official score board for ‘best news anchor’ in India, especially with television rating data going thru some changes of late. Rather than chasing one number we looked at a mix of factors: how long viewers have trusted an anchor, how far their reach extends across TV and digital platforms, the quality and depth of their reporting and how much real influence they have on public conversation today. That presents a more complete and truthful picture than any single TRP chart can.
Top 50 News Anchors in India, 2026 — Full Profiles
These are the names that consistently come up when Indians talk about who they actually watch or follow for news, whether that is on television, YouTube, or Instagram.
1. Arnab Goswami
Channel / Platform: Republic TV
Known For: High-decibel prime-time debates
Arnab Goswami has been one of the most talked about anchors of Indian television. As the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Republic Media Network, he pioneered the development of a channel centered on rapid-fire, combative prime time debates. Love him or hate him, his shows still bring in massive audiences and his digital presence across YouTube and social media measures in the tens of millions.
2. Rajdeep Sardesai
Channel / Platform: India Today TV
Known For: Political analysis and election coverage
Rajdeep Sardesai is a highly respected name in Indian journalism, celebrated for his calm and well-researched political commentary. He was a Co-founder of CNN-IBN (now CNN-News18) and has covered all major Indian elections since the early 1990s. His interviews are known for asking tough questions, not yelling.
3. Ravish Kumar
Channel / Platform: Independent / YouTube
Known For: Grassroots and rural Indian journalism
Ravish Kumar left mainstream television to make his own independent YouTube channel, and it worked brilliantly. He is one of the most trusted names in Hindi journalism, and with a Ramon Magsaysay Award and a huge loyal following online, he tells stories slowly and thoughtfully on issues that big channels often skip.
4. Anjana Om Kashyap
Channel / Platform: Aaj Tak
Known For: Hindi prime-time debates
Anjana Om Kashyap is the anchor of one of the top rated Hindi debate shows on Indian Television. She is known for a direct, no-nonsense interviewing style, and has made a name for herself by asking politicians difficult questions live on TV, which keeps millions of viewers glued to their screens every evening.
5. Barkha Dutt
Channel / Platform: Mojo Story (Digital)
Known For: Ground reporting and conflict coverage
Barkha Dutt got her name by reporting live from the Kargil War in 1999 and has been in the forefront of all major Indian stories since then. After years at NDTV, she now runs her own independent digital platform, Mojo Story, focusing on ground reports and social issues.
6. Sudhir Chaudhary
Channel / Platform: Aaj Tak
Known For: National security and geopolitics
Sudhir Chaudhary built a loyal audience with his signature style of breaking down complex national security and defence stories for a general audience. He has held senior editorial roles across major Hindi news networks and continues to be one of the most recognisable voices in Indian news.
7. Rahul Kanwal
Channel / Platform: India Today TV
Known For: Election coverage and long-form interviews
As News Director, India Today, Rahul Kanwal is counted among the most astute observers of elections in the country. His calm, probing interview style, even with heated guests, makes his shows a favorite among viewers who want substance over shouting.
8. Shereen Bhan
Channel / Platform: CNBC-TV18
Known For: Business and economic policy
Shereen Bhan is the face of business journalism in India. As Executive Editor of CNBC-TV18, she has interviewed top CEOs, finance ministers, and RBI governors, and her clear breakdown of economic policy makes her a must-watch for investors and business owners alike.
9. Rajat Sharma
Channel / Platform: India TV
Known For: Political interviews (Aap Ki Adalat)
Rajat Sharma, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India TV, hosts one of Indian television's longest-running interview shows, Aap Ki Adalat. Its unique courtroom-style format, where guests are cross-examined in a light, dramatic way, has kept it popular for over two decades.
10. Shekhar Gupta
Channel / Platform: ThePrint
Known For: Political and strategic analysis
Shekhar Gupta founded ThePrint after a long career as Editor-in-Chief of The Indian Express. His YouTube explainer series has become one of the most-watched daily news-analysis shows in the country, proving that serious, in-depth journalism still finds a big audience online.
11. Vikram Chandra
Channel / Platform: NDTV
Known For: Technology and political affairs
Vikram Chandra, a former Group CEO of NDTV, has spent three decades hosting political debates and specials. He is also a published novelist, and his editorial style brings a thoughtful, literary sensibility to Indian broadcast news.
12. Amish Devgan
Channel / Platform: News18 India
Known For: Political affairs and debate moderation
As Managing Editor of News18 India, Amish Devgan anchors some of Hindi television's most-watched debate shows. He is known for keeping large, noisy panels under control while still landing sharp, direct questions.
13. Karan Thapar
Channel / Platform: The Wire (Video)
Known For: Political interviews
Karan Thapar is considered one of India's best interviewers, with a calm, exhaustively researched style. In a four-decade career he has interviewed almost all the major Indian political figures, and his long-form video interviews continue to be a benchmark for serious journalism.
14. Faye D'Souza
Channel / Platform: Independent / Digital
Known For: Straight-talking prime-time news
Faye D’Souza has built a strong independent following after leaving mainstream television. Her calm, fact-first delivery style stands out in a crowded, high-volume news space. Her digital shows are less about making stories into shouting matches and more about clearly explaining them.
15. Sweta Singh
Channel / Platform: Aaj Tak
Known For: Hindi journalism and sports reporting
Sweta Singh, Deputy Editor, Aaj Tak has been a familiar face in Hindi journalism since the late 1990s. She has a reputation for even-handed reporting and an engaging presence on the air, covering everything from politics to sports with equal confidence.
Anchors 16 to 50: Quick Reference List
India has a vibrant news scene outside the top , with strong, reliable voices in Hindi, English and digital. Below is a quick-reference table of the next 35 names to know in 2026.
Why News Anchors Still Matter in the Age of Reels and WhatsApp
With so many people getting their news updates from short videos and messages being forwarded, it’s easy to think news anchors aren’t as important anymore. The fact is, anchors still decide what stories get covered and how those stories get spun to the masses.
Good anchors can take dry policy updates and make them digestible in a quick two-minute segment, and that skill has only become more vital as attention spans shrink and audiences move on from complex headlines.
English vs Hindi News Anchors: A Quick Comparison
For example, English news anchors in India, such as those on NDTV, Times Now and India Today TV, tend to focus on policy depth, business news and international affairs for an urban, English-speaking audience. Hindi news anchors, by contrast, have a much larger, more pan-India audience and often lean into faster-paced, emotionally charged prime-time debates. Each style has its devoted audience, and many of today’s top anchors are comfortable with both.
Conclusion
By 2026, you'll see all kinds of Indian news anchors – from shouty prime-time debate hosts to calm, facts-driven digital journalists. Not only has who is popular changed, but where people are watching them. Today, instead of waiting for a particular slot on TV, Indians are more likely to catch their favorite anchor on YouTube or Instagram. “The ones that have adapted best to that change are the anchors that build the largest and most loyal audiences today.”
Whether you prefer sharp political debates, business breakdowns, or slow-paced ground reporting, this Top 50 list covers the full range of voices shaping how India gets its news right now.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is the number 1 news anchor in India in 2026?
There is no single official ranking, but Rajdeep Sardesai, Ravish Kumar, and Arnab Goswami are consistently named among the most influential Indian news anchors today, each for different reasons — credibility, independent digital reach, and prime-time TRPs respectively.
Which Indian news anchor has the most YouTube subscribers?
Some of the biggest personal YouTube followings among Indian news anchors are from independent journalists like Ravish Kumar, often out-scaling many television channel handles put together.
What is the difference between a news anchor and a news reporter?
A news anchor usually presents from a studio, hosts debates, and interviews guests live. A reporter gathers the story from the ground — interviews, visuals, facts — which the anchor then presents to viewers.
Are Hindi news anchors more popular than English news anchors in India?
Yes, in sheer audience numbers. Hindi news channels reach a much bigger audience across India, but English anchors tend to have more clout in business and policy circles.
How is a news anchor's popularity measured today?
With television rating processes evolving, popularity today is judged using a mix of past TV performance, YouTube and social media following, audience engagement, and general public recognition rather than one single metric.
