Rajat Sharma is an Indian journalist and businessperson. He is chairman and Editor-in-Chief of the news channel India TV. He is best known for the interview show Aap Ki Adalat, in which celebrities and politicians face questions in a mock courtroom. This Rajat Sharma biography covers his age, family, career, controversies and latest news. In September 2026, the NBDA, which represents nearly all major news networks in India, unanimously re-elected him as its president.
Rajat Sharma Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Rajat Sharma |
| Date of Birth | 18 February 1957 |
| Age (October 2026) | 69 years |
| Birthplace | Sabzi Mandi, Delhi, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | |
| Education | Shri Ram College of Commerce, University of Delhi |
| Profession | Journalist, TV host, media entrepreneur |
| Known For | Aap Ki Adalat, Aaj Ki Baat, founding India TV |
| Current Roles | Chairman & Editor-in-Chief, India TV; President, NBDA |
| Spouse | Ritu Dhawan |
| Children | Reportedly a daughter, Disha Sharma |
| Major Honour | Padma Bhushan (2015) |
| Estimated Net Worth | Estimates vary widely |
| Social Media | X (Twitter): @RajatSharmaLive |
Who Is Rajat Sharma?
Rajat Sharma is one of the most recognisable faces of Hindi television news. His show Aap Ki Adalat began on Zee TV in 1993 with former Bihar Chief Minister Lalu Yadav as its first guest. He and his wife Ritu Dhawan launched India TV on 20 May 2004.
He is also an institution-builder in Indian media. He serves as president of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA), the industry body of private news broadcasters. His prime-time show Aaj Ki Baat comments on politics and current affairs. He also has a large social media following. He was described as the most followed TV news personality in the world on X, with over 11 million followers as of February 2024.
Many people outside India search for him, including readers in Pakistan, because India TV is a major Hindi-language news brand covering India–Pakistan issues.
Early Life and Family
Rajat Sharma was born on 18 February 1957 in Sabzi Mandi, Delhi. He grew up in a Brahmin family with six brothers and a sister. India TV’s own profile describes his background as one of humble beginnings.
In 1991 he was a young activist, drawn into the Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) movement. When the Emergency was declared in 1975, he was arrested and held in Tihar Jail for 11 months over his activities with the movement.
His wife is Ritu Dhawan. She is co-founder and Managing Director of Independent News Service, India TV’s parent company. One source says they married in 1997 and that their daughter, Disha Sharma, is a legal professional.
Education
After his release from jail, he studied at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) and joined the student organisation Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad. He was elected General Secretary of the Delhi University Students’ Union in 1977.
Sources disagree on his degree. One profile says he completed an M.Com, while a Wikipedia version lists an MA from the University of Delhi.In September 2026 he was a guest at SRCC’s centenary celebrations in Delhi, where he addressed students on the vision of a developed India by 2047.
Rajat Sharma’s Career
Print Journalism (1980s–early 1990s)
He began as a reporter at the fortnightly magazine Onlooker. By 1984 he was chief of bureau, and he became editor in 1985 in Mumbai. He later edited The Sunday Observer and then The Daily.
Aap Ki Adalat and Television Breakthrough (1993 onward)
The first episode of Aap Ki Adalat aired on Zee TV in 1993. The format puts public figures in a mock-court “dock” while Sharma questions them. Sources give different guest counts. Wikipedia says he has interviewed more than 750 guests. A channel press release puts it at around 800 over 16 years. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-President Pranab Mukherjee appeared on the show’s 21st anniversary, according to India TV.
Independent News Service and India TV (1997–2004)
In 1997 he left the Zee group and formed Independent News Service (INS), the company that owns India TV. India TV then launched in 2004 as a 24-hour Hindi news channel based in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Aaj Ki Baat and Prime-Time Commentary (2000s–present)
He anchors the prime-time show Aaj Ki Baat and hosted Rajat Sharma Live at one stage. In late 2026 his opinion segments covered topics including Elon Musk’s criticism of India’s telecom policy over Starlink’s delayed licence, and Narendra Modi’s 25 years as head of government.
Cricket Administration (DDCA)
He has also been active in cricket administration. India TV’s coverage shows he was elected president of the Delhi & District Cricket Association in July 2018 after a landslide victory. Wikipedia separately cites an earlier episode in which he resigned as DDCA president, citing “pulls and pressures.”
NBDA Presidency
He leads the NBDA, the industry body of private news broadcasters. Newslaundry reported in 2021 that it was his fifth election as its president. His 2025–2026 term was confirmed at a board meeting on 19 September 2025, and Prime Minister Modi congratulated him.
Awards and Recognition
- Padma Bhushan (2015): India’s third-highest civilian honour.
- Lifetime Achievement Award: The Indian Television Academy honoured him for Aap Ki Adalat.
- Tarun Kranti Award (2014): reported by a fan-wiki source only.
Controversies and Legal Matters
The 2024 Ragini Nayak Dispute
Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak accused Sharma of abusing her on air during a debate on the day the 2024 Lok Sabha results were announced. Congress leaders circulated a video clip on social media. Sharma and India TV said the clip was edited and that no abuse took place in the actual broadcast.
Nayak filed a police complaint at the Tughlak Road police station. Sharma then sued Nayak, Jairam Ramesh and Pawan Khera for defamation, seeking ₹100 crore in damages. On 14 June 2024, the Delhi High Court issued an ex parte order directing removal of the social media posts and videos. An ex parte order is passed after hearing only one side.
Alleged Workplace Harassment Case (2014)
In 2014 a former India TV anchor, Tanu Sharma, filed an FIR against two India TV executives, including Sharma, alleging harassment that led her to attempt suicide. This was an allegation in a police complaint.
Media Criticism: Operation Sindoor Coverage
After India’s Operation Sindoor in May 2025, Indian TV news was widely criticised for unverified and recycled visuals. A complaint by the Citizens for Justice and Peace named six channels, including India TV. The Quint reported that NDTV, India TV and others shared an unverified claim about a Pakistani attack on Jaisalmer. These reports concern the channel’s coverage. They do not attribute specific broadcasts to Sharma personally. Indian broadcasters, including NBDA members, have generally defended their coverage as responsible journalism.
Press Freedom Debate
Critics, including a 2024 Bloomberg feature cited on Wikipedia, argue that media owners close to the government compromise press independence. One media-ownership database notes his college friendships with BJP figures. Sharma and his supporters describe his approach as “credibility first” journalism. An industry profile credits him with that approach.
Personal Life
Sharma is married to Ritu Dhawan, who works alongside him at India TV as co-founder and Managing Director. He is publicly associated with a “One Fast Every Month” idea that he promoted at a December 2025 conference, and with talks to students on deepfakes and mental health. At a December 2025 summit he warned students about the dangers of deepfakes and social media. Details of his residence and private life are not publicly confirmed.
Rajat Sharma Net Worth
Net worth figures for Rajat Sharma are estimates, and sources disagree:
- One finance blog estimates around ₹110 crore (about $13 million) in 2026.
- Another profile site lists roughly $15 million.
- A third gives a range of $15–20 million for 2024.
None is audited or confirmed by Sharma. Most of his wealth is reportedly tied to his stake in India TV’s parent company, Independent News Service. A reasonable reading is that his net worth is reportedly somewhere in the low-to-mid tens of millions of US dollars.
Rajat Sharma in 2026
2026 has been a significant year for him.
- NBDA re-election (September 2026): India TV reports the NBDA unanimously re-elected him and expressed full confidence in his leadership.
- Deepfake ruling (August–September 2026): The Delhi High Court ordered Meta and Google to remove Facebook pages and YouTube channels carrying AI deepfake videos of him, in a permanent injunction decree dated 24 August 2026. The court noted that the videos used AI to manipulate his images, voice and other personality traits. The court noted the defendants did not respond to the lawsuit. The ruling lets Sharma and India TV report new infringing URLs directly to the platforms.
- Public appearances: He spoke at an IIMC–ICHR seminar in September 2026 and at the SRCC centenary event.
- On air: He continues Aaj Ki Baat and Aap Ki Adalat. In October 2026 his commentary has covered subjects such as the Starlink licensing row and Modi’s 25 years in office.
Rajat Sharma’s Major Shows and Roles
| Show / Role | Platform | Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aap Ki Adalat | Zee TV, later India TV | 1993–present | Mock-courtroom celebrity and political interview show |
| Aaj Ki Baat | India TV | Long-running | Prime-time news commentary |
| Rajat Sharma Live | India TV | Earlier relaunch | Signature talk show launched after a sabbatical |
| Chairman & Editor-in-Chief | India TV | 2004–present | Co-founded with Ritu Dhawan |
| President | NBDA | Multiple terms; latest re-election September 2026 | Industry body of private news broadcasters |
| President | DDCA | Delhi cricket administration |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Rajat Sharma?
Rajat Sharma was born on 18 February 1957, so he is 69 years old as of October 2026.
Who is Rajat Sharma’s wife?
His wife is Ritu Dhawan, co-founder and Managing Director of Independent News Service, the parent company of India TV. She also worked as a producer on Aap Ki Adalat, according to one profile.
What is Rajat Sharma’s net worth?
Estimates vary from about ₹110 crore (roughly $13 million) to $15–20 million, depending on the source. These are unverified estimates, not confirmed figures.
Does Rajat Sharma own India TV?
He and Ritu Dhawan hold the controlling stake through Independent News Service Private Limited, India TV’s parent company.
Did Rajat Sharma receive the Padma Bhushan?
Yes. He received the Padma Bhushan, India’s third-highest civilian honour, in 2015.
What was the Rajat Sharma and Ragini Nayak controversy?
Congress spokesperson Ragini Nayak alleged Sharma abused her on air on 4 June 2024. Sharma said the clip was edited and filed a defamation suit. The Delhi High Court ordered removal of the posts in June 2024 as an interim, ex parte order.
Why did the Delhi High Court order deepfake videos of Rajat Sharma removed?
The court found that AI-generated videos misused his image, voice and persona, and that they infringed India TV trademarks. In an order dated 24 August 2026, it directed Meta and Google to take them down.
Last updated: October 2026
