This Sudhir Chaudhary biography covers one of India’s best-known Hindi television journalists. He has worked in TV news since 1993 and now hosts the prime-time show Decode on state broadcaster DD News. He became a household name through DNA on Zee News and later Black & White on Aaj Tak, before moving to DD News in 2025 under a reported ₹15 crore annual production deal. In September 2026 he is in the news again: the Delhi High Court has issued notice on a ₹5 crore defamation suit over a July 2026 Decode broadcast, with the next hearing listed for 22 September.
Sudhir Chaudhary Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Real Name | Sudhir Chaudhary (no separate birth name reported; also spelled Choudhary or Chowdhury; Hindi: सुधीर चौधरी) |
| Date of Birth | 18 June 1972 per Wikipedia. Other profile sites give 7 June 1974, 18 June 1974 or 7 July 1974 |
| Age | 54 if born in 1972; 52 if born in 1974 |
| Birthplace | Hodal, Palwal district, Haryana (most sources). One site says Muzaffarpur, Bihar |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Hindu, as reported by profile sites |
| Education | BA, University of Delhi; diploma in journalism/mass communication, Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), as reported |
| Profession | Journalist, news anchor, television producer |
| Known For | DNA (Zee News), Black & White (Aaj Tak), Decode (DD News) |
| Current Role | Host of Decode on DD News; listed by Wikipedia as DD News editor-in-chief |
| Spouse | Niti Chaudhary (also spelled Neeti) |
| Children | One son per most profile sites; one site says two children [VERIFY] |
| Social Handles | X: @sudhirchaudhary. Instagram/YouTube handles [VERIFY] |
Who Is Sudhir Chaudhary?
Sudhir Chaudhary is an Indian journalist, news anchor and television producer who works in Hindi-language news. Wikipedia lists him as editor-in-chief of DD News. Trade-press reports describe his DD News work as a content-production agreement between Prasar Bharati and his company, Essprit Productions Pvt Ltd. His three best-known prime-time shows are DNA, Black & White and Decode. Each is built around one anchor unpacking the day’s biggest political, security or social story, and Decode was expected to follow a format similar to its predecessors.
Chaudhary is a polarising figure. Supporters and some industry observers credit him with drawing large prime-time audiences, and trade coverage has described his shows as taking a nationalist perspective. Critics, media watchdogs and India’s broadcasting regulator have challenged specific broadcasts on grounds of neutrality, accuracy and communal framing (see Controversies below). Because many Decode episodes deal with Pakistan and India–Pakistan relations, his work is also of interest to readers on both sides of the border.
Sudhir Chaudhary Early Life and Family
Most sources say Chaudhary was born in Hodal, in Haryana’s Palwal district. Some name the village of Sondhad, and one site says Muzaffarpur, Bihar. The date of birth is also disputed. Wikipedia gives 18 June 1972, while other profile sites give 1974 with different days and months. This article does not choose between them, and no primary source such as an official biography or a statement by Chaudhary was found.
Reliable information about his parents and siblings is scarce. Profile sites describe a middle-class upbringing and an early interest in current affairs and debating. Several profiles say he originally wanted to join the civil services and prepared for the UPSC exam without clearing it, before turning to journalism.
Sudhir Chaudhary Education
Profiles say Chaudhary completed a Bachelor of Arts at the University of Delhi, with one site naming Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College. He then earned a diploma in journalism at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi, and began his television career in 1993.
Sudhir Chaudhary Career
1993–2003: Joining Zee News
Chaudhary joined Zee News in 1993, when the channel was still in its early years. He worked in live reporting and then in round-the-clock news. Profiles say his early assignments included the Kargil War and the aftermath of the December 2001 Parliament attack.
Several profiles also say he was on the team that covered a Vajpayee–Musharraf meeting in Islamabad.
2003 to the mid-2000s: Sahara Samay, Live India and Mi Marathi
After leaving Zee News in 2003, Chaudhary reportedly helped launch the Hindi news channel Sahara Samay. Wikipedia says he also worked with Live India and Mi Marathi before returning to Zee News.
Zee News Editor-in-Chief and the DNA Years
Back at Zee, Chaudhary rose to editor-in-chief and CEO across Zee News, Zee Business, WION and Zee 24 Taas. He also hosted the prime-time show DNA (Daily News & Analysis), which made him a national name. In 2020, The Economic Times reported that he had been given X-category security.
In July 2022, Chaudhary resigned from Zee News. His letter to Essel Group chairman Subhash Chandra reportedly described the decision as the result of his own deliberations and a wish to start his own enterprise. He joined Aaj Tak instead.
2022–2025: Aaj Tak and Black & White
At Aaj Tak, run by the TV Today Network, Chaudhary worked as consulting editor and hosted the prime-time show Black & White. Rumours of an exit in August 2023 proved unfounded. In early 2025 he was reported to be joining Prasar Bharati. His last Black & White episode aired on 4 April 2025. Several of the show’s episodes were later the subject of regulatory orders (see Controversies).
2025–Present: DD News and Decode
In March 2025, Prasar Bharati finalised a deal with Chaudhary that was reported at ₹15 crore a year. BW Marketing World put it at ₹18 crore including taxes. Chaudhary’s company Essprit Productions produces a five-day-a-week show for DD News, about 260 episodes a year. Decode with Sudhir Chaudhary began airing on 15 May 2025, with a 9 PM weeknight slot announced at launch.
The deal drew mixed reactions. Prasar Bharati sources said it was meant to improve DD News’s credibility and ratings, and supporters called it a needed revival effort. Critics questioned the size of the payout and the nomination-based process. Trinamool Congress MP Sagarika Ghose raised the matter in the Rajya Sabha.
Sudhir Chaudhary Awards and Recognition
Chaudhary is associated with the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Wikipedia’s infobox lists 2013, while contemporary coverage, including a Newslaundry column from 28 November 2015, discusses the award as being given to him then. Another profile site gives 2023, which appears to be an error. Some profile sites link the award to Nirbhaya case coverage, which could not be confirmed. The Newslaundry column questioned the choice of recipient in light of the 2012 Jindal episode.
Sudhir Chaudhary Controversies
2012: Naveen Jindal Extortion Case
In November 2012, Chaudhary and Zee Business editor Sameer Ahluwalia were arrested by Delhi Police. Jindal Steel and Power, owned by Congress MP Naveen Jindal, alleged that the two had sought about ₹100 crore in advertisements in exchange for not airing stories linking the company to the coal-allocation controversy. A Delhi court granted both bail on 17 December 2012. The Broadcast Editors’ Association, where Chaudhary was then treasurer, removed him from its membership after a fact-finding committee, and he challenged that in the Delhi High Court.
In July 2018, the Jindal group withdrew the extortion complaint and Zee agreed to withdraw its own complaints against the group. Chaudhary said this showed his innocence.
2020: Kerala FIR Over the “Jihad Chart” Episode
In May 2020, Kerala Police registered an FIR against Chaudhary over a 11 March 2020 DNA episode that presented a chart on “types of jihad”. The FIR alleged the programme offended Muslim religious sentiments. Newslaundry reported that the chart had been lifted from a Facebook page. Chaudhary rejected the action publicly, calling it a penalty for reporting inconvenient facts and saying it would not deter him.
2023–2026: Broadcasting Regulator (NBDSA) Orders
The News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority (NBDSA) has passed several orders on Black & White episodes. These orders are addressed to the broadcaster, Aaj Tak.
- November 2023: After complaints by the NGO Citizens for Justice and Peace, the authority reprimanded the channel over the term “Mazaar Jihad” and ordered one episode removed.
- February 2024: It fined Aaj Tak ₹75,000 over a 26 June 2023 episode on Barack Obama’s remarks about minorities in India, citing failures of objectivity and neutrality.
- January 2025: It ordered edits and one removal in coverage of the same-sex marriage case, saying LGBTQ+ people must be treated with dignity.
- May 2026: On review, it directed Aaj Tak to edit or remove the Taj Mahal segment of a 29 November 2024 episode, finding it lacked neutrality because it omitted official records. An earlier December 2025 order had found no violation. No fine was imposed, and the authority declined to reopen other complaints. Aaj Tak had defended the programme as a documentary-style compilation of published claims.
2024: Hemant Soren Remarks FIR
In March 2024, the Supreme Court granted Chaudhary protection from coercive steps in an FIR filed in Ranchi under the SC/ST Act. A tribal group had complained about remarks he made on air after the then-former Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate.
Sudhir Chaudhary Personal Life
Chaudhary is married to Niti Chaudhary. Most profile sites say the couple has one son, while one says two children. Little verified public information exists about the family, and this article does not repeat unsourced claims about their professions or lives.
Sudhir Chaudhary Net Worth and Salary
No verified figure for Sudhir Chaudhary’s net worth exists. Estimates on profile sites vary widely, from roughly ₹22–25 crore to about US$3 million to about US$15 million. Monthly salary claims range from ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh, and Paycheck.in estimates about ₹1.1 crore a year. None cite financial disclosures, so treat all of these as unverified estimates.
The reported ₹15 crore annual DD News deal is a production contract paid to Essprit Productions. It is that company’s revenue for producing about 260 episodes a year, not Chaudhary’s personal income or net worth.
Sudhir Chaudhary in 2026: DD News, Decode and the Delhi High Court Case
Current role. In 2026 Chaudhary continues to host Decode on DD News. In a May 2026 interview marking about a year at DD News, he called the move from private television the biggest risk of his career. He described it as one of its most fulfilling phases and spoke about personality-led journalism and changing audience habits.
Recent coverage. In mid-2026, Decode covered the protests led by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP). CJP is a youth-based satirical political movement founded on 16 May 2026 by Abhijeet Dipke. Its demonstrations at Jantar Mantar ran from 6 June to 25 July 2026 and demanded the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over exam irregularities, including the 2026 NEET-UG paper leak. Decode also covered a Discovery documentary on Operation Sindoor in August 2026. On the May 2025 India–Pakistan conflict, India calls its operation Operation Sindoor and Pakistan’s military calls its response Marka-e-Haq. The two governments’ accounts differ, and this profile does not adjudicate them.
Defamation suit. On 7 September 2026, the Delhi High Court (Justice Subramonium Prasad) issued summons and notice in a defamation suit filed by activist and UPSC aspirant Vijay Sherawat against Chaudhary, Essprit Productions and Prasar Bharati (DD News).
- The allegation: Sherawat says the 27 July 2026 Decode episode showed his image and identified him as the person who said Parliament should be uprooted and India turned into “Nepal”. He says the remarks were made by someone else at a different event and that the broadcast used low-quality footage without verification or a chance to respond.
- Damages and threats: He alleges he received threats after the broadcast and seeks ₹5 crore in damages and an injunction against further broadcast.
- Correction: The suit says he posted a clarification on Instagram on 31 July 2026.
- Status: These are the plaintiff’s allegations, and no court finding has been reported. The court issued notice on the interim injunction plea, and hearing on it is listed for 22 September 2026, when the defendants are expected to be ready to argue.
Sudhir Chaudhary TV Career at a Glance
| Period | Organisation | Role / Show | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993–2003 | Zee News | Reporter and editor | Joined at the channel’s early stage |
| 2003 to mid-2000s | Sahara Samay, Live India, Mi Marathi | Various roles | Dates and roles unconfirmed |
| Mid-2000s –2022 | Zee News, Zee Business, WION, Zee 24 Taas | Editor-in-chief and CEO; host of DNA | Resigned July 2022 |
| 2022–April 2025 | Aaj Tak | Consulting editor; host of Black & White | Last episode 4 April 2025 |
| 2025–present | DD News (Prasar Bharati) | Host of Decode; listed as editor-in-chief | Produced by Essprit Productions; debuted 15 May 2025 |
Sudhir Chaudhary FAQs
1. Who is Sudhir Chaudhary?
Sudhir Chaudhary is an Indian Hindi-language journalist and news anchor who has worked in television since 1993. He is best known for DNA on Zee News, Black & White on Aaj Tak and Decode on DD News.
2. How old is Sudhir Chaudhary, and where was he born?
Wikipedia gives his date of birth as 18 June 1972, which makes him 54 in September 2026. Some profile sites give a 1974 birth year, which would make him 52. Most sources say he was born in Hodal, Haryana. No primary source confirming the date was found.
3. Which channel does Sudhir Chaudhary work for now?
He works with DD News, the Prasar Bharati broadcaster, where he hosts Decode. He left Aaj Tak in April 2025 and Decode began on 15 May 2025.
4. Who is Sudhir Chaudhary’s wife?
He is married to Niti Chaudhary. Most profile sites say they have one son, but little verified public information exists about the family.
5. What is Sudhir Chaudhary’s net worth?
No verified figure exists. Profile-site estimates range from about ₹22–25 crore to US$3–15 million and are unconfirmed. The reported ₹15 crore DD News deal is a production contract with his company, not personal income.
6. Why was Sudhir Chaudhary arrested in 2012?
In November 2012, Delhi Police arrested him and Sameer Ahluwalia after Jindal Steel and Power alleged they sought ₹100 crore in advertisements in return for not airing coal-related stories. They were granted bail in December 2012. In 2018 the Jindal group withdrew the complaint, and Chaudhary said this showed his innocence.
7. What is the Sudhir Chaudhary–Vijay Sherawat defamation case?
Vijay Sherawat, an activist and UPSC aspirant, has sued Chaudhary, his company and DD News for ₹5 crore over a 27 July 2026 Decode broadcast. He alleges he was wrongly identified as making remarks at a protest. The Delhi High Court issued notice on 7 September 2026, and the interim relief hearing is listed for 22 September 2026.
Last updated: September 2026
