Prasar Bharati has appointed noted lyricist, screenwriter and communications expert Prasoon Joshi as its new Chairman, marking a significant leadership development for India's public service broadcaster. The appointment, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in early May 2026, fills a key vacancy that had remained open since December 2025.

Joshi is widely regarded as one of India's most influential creative voices, with a career spanning advertising, film, literature and public communication. He has served as Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification and has been associated with several major national campaigns, bringing a strong understanding of storytelling, audience engagement and media strategy to the role.

His appointment comes at a pivotal time for Prasar Bharati, which oversees India's national broadcasting networks, including Doordarshan and All India Radio. As the media landscape continues to evolve rapidly with the rise of digital platforms, changing audience consumption habits and increasing competition from private and global players, the organisation faces growing pressure to modernise its content strategy while maintaining its public service mandate.

Industry observers view Joshi's appointment as a move that could signal a stronger emphasis on creative leadership and content innovation within the broadcaster. His background in both mass communication and cultural storytelling is expected to bring a fresh perspective to how public broadcasting engages with contemporary audiences, particularly younger demographics.

At the same time, Prasar Bharati continues to play a critical role in delivering trusted information, promoting cultural heritage and ensuring nationwide access to broadcasting services, especially in underserved and remote regions. Strengthening this mandate while adapting to new technological realities will be a key challenge for the organisation moving forward.

Joshi succeeds former Chairman Navneet Kumar Sehgal, and his tenure is expected to focus on reinforcing the relevance of public service broadcasting in an increasingly fragmented and competitive media environment. His leadership will be closely watched as the organisation navigates its next phase of transformation.