This Bhupendra Chaubey biography covers one of India’s best-known television political journalists. He spent about 15 years at CNN-IBN and CNN-News18 and now runs the digital news platform The Squirrels as founder and editor-in-chief. In May 2026 he and Amit Goel launched Galaxia Quest, an experiential magazine that blends traditional journalism with interactive digital storytelling.
Bhupendra Chaubey Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Bhupendra Chaubey |
| Date of Birth | 10 July |
| Age | |
| Birthplace | |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Not publicly stated |
| Education | Postgraduate in films |
| Profession | Journalist, TV anchor, digital media founder |
| Known For | Political reporting at CNN-IBN/CNN-News18; founding The Squirrels |
| Current Role | Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Squirrels; Editor-in-Chief, Galaxia Quest |
| Spouse | Wife (name not publicly confirmed) |
| Children | Two |
| X (Twitter) | @bhupendrachaube |
Who Is Bhupendra Chaubey?
Chaubey has been a TV journalist since 2000, when he started at NDTV, and in 2005 he left to join the team that launched CNN-IBN. He is described as a veteran political journalist who has interviewed top politicians, reported from across the country and covered four general elections.
After leaving Network18 in 2020, he moved into media ownership and leadership. He then built his own digital platform. Trade coverage describes The Squirrels as a long-form venture focused on context and credibility. His career has also drawn criticism, most notably over a 2016 interview and a 2017 television debate, both covered below.
Early Life and Family
Very little is documented about his childhood. His birthday is 10 July, which his own X profile confirms, but no source I found gives the year or place of birth. The Network18 managing director’s farewell memo said he and Chaubey could both trace their roots to Uttar Pradesh.
His mother, Seema Chaubey, aged 73, died in August 2026 after being unwell for some time.
Education
An industry profile says he is a postgraduate in films and originally planned to become a filmmaker, with journalism “just happening” to him. The same profile says he considered moving to Mumbai before staying in journalism.
Bhupendra Chaubey Career
NDTV (1999/2000–2005)
Sources disagree on his start date. One profile says he joined NDTV as a young reporter in September 1999, while others say 2000. This article uses “1999–2000.” In the profile that reports his conversation with NDTV founder Dr Prannoy Roy, Roy encouraged him to try journalism and said he could always leave if it did not suit him.
CNN-IBN and CNN-News18 (2005–2020)
In 2005 he left NDTV and joined the founding team of CNN-IBN. Over the next decade and a half he rose to Executive Editor of CNN-News18, the channel’s later name, and became one of its most recognisable faces. By 2018 he was speaking at industry events as Executive Editor, CNN News18. He also anchored interview and debate shows. These included The Hot Seat and Big5@10, both discussed in the controversies section.
In October 2014, Exchange4Media reported that he had stepped down as Executive Editor. He publicly denied the rumours on X, saying he was not resigning and had not been taken off the 9 pm bulletin. His actual departure came later, in 2020.
India Ahead and Andhra Prabha (2020–2022)
He parted ways with CNN-News18 in April 2020 after nearly 15 years and joined Andhra Prabha Publications as group editor-in-chief and CEO. Coverage at the time described him as owner and co-promoter of India Ahead, with responsibility for 12 editions of the Andhra Prabha publication and the group’s broadcast venture.
The Squirrels (2023–present)
Chaubey later founded The Squirrels, a digital news platform. At the e4m NewsNext Summit 2025 he delivered a keynote as its Founder and Editor-in-Chief, calling trust and credibility the biggest challenge facing Indian media.
Galaxia Quest and Public Speaking (2025–2026)
Galaxia Quest, launched in May 2026 with Amit Goel, is an invite-only magazine mixing text, video and social content, with Chaubey as Editor-in-Chief. It is distributed in airports and other high-visibility locations and also has a live digital version. He remains a regular speaker at media conferences, including literature festival sessions on journalism and the relationship between media and politics.
Career Timeline
| Period | Role / Organisation |
|---|---|
| 1999–2000 to 2005 | Reporter, NDTV |
| 2005 to 2020 | CNN-IBN / CNN-News18 (up to Executive Editor) |
| 2020 to c. 2022 | Group Editor-in-Chief & CEO, Andhra Prabha / India Ahead |
| c. 2023 to present | Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Squirrels |
| May 2026 | Co-launches Galaxia Quest (Editor-in-Chief) |
Awards and Recognition
I could not verify any major named journalism award. Industry outlet Exchange4Media has repeatedly run birthday profiles praising his credibility and thoughtful approach. Those are trade-press tributes, not formal awards.
Controversies
The Sunny Leone Interview (2016)
In January 2016, Chaubey interviewed actress Sunny Leone on CNN-IBN’s The Hot Seat. He faced online criticism from users who called his questions misogynistic, and when he suggested he was “morally corrupted” for interviewing her, she offered to leave. Actor Aamir Khan also weighed in on the interview. Chaubey defended himself on his blog, saying he had not been judgmental about her past. Reaction was split between critics of the tone and those who saw it as a standard tough interview.
The Gurmehar Kaur Debate (2017)
On 28 February 2017, on Big5@10, he asked whether student Gurmehar Kaur had insulted Indian Army soldiers with her appeal for peace. The media outlet Newslaundry published a critique arguing the framing created a false equivalence. Supporters of the format would argue that balanced questioning is a core part of a debate anchor’s job.
Personal Life
He lives in Delhi with his wife and two children. His wife’s name has not been publicly confirmed in any source found. He pays public tribute to colleagues on X. For example, in September 2025 he mourned journalist Sankarshan Thakur as a close friend.
Bhupendra Chaubey Net Worth
No credible, verified figure for his net worth exists. Websites that publish one are guessing. His income presumably comes from media ownership, editorial roles and speaking engagements, but this is inference, not a documented fact.
Bhupendra Chaubey in 2026
2026 has been active for him:
- May 2026: launched Galaxia Quest as Editor-in-Chief.
- July 2026: Exchange4Media ran another birthday profile praising his credibility.
- August 2026: his mother, Seema Chaubey, died.
- Ongoing: he continues to lead The Squirrels and appear at industry events.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bhupendra Chaubey?
He is an Indian journalist and media entrepreneur. He is a former Executive Editor of CNN-News18 and the founder and editor-in-chief of The Squirrels.
How old is Bhupendra Chaubey?
His birthday is 10 July, but no source I found confirms his birth year.
Is Bhupendra Chaubey married?
Yes, reports say he lives in Delhi with his wife and two children. Her name has not been publicly confirmed.
Why did Bhupendra Chaubey leave CNN-News18?
He left in April 2020 after nearly 15 years and joined Andhra Prabha Publications as group editor-in-chief and CEO. The sources found do not state a specific reason.
What was the Bhupendra Chaubey and Sunny Leone interview controversy?
In January 2016, his questioning of Sunny Leone on CNN-IBN drew social-media criticism as judgmental. He later said he had not been judgmental about her past.
What is The Squirrels?
It is a digital news platform he founded and edits. It focuses on long-form political and media coverage.
What is Bhupendra Chaubey’s net worth?
There is no verified figure. Estimates online are unsourced.
Last updated: November 2026
