Prasoon Joshi appointed chairman of Prasar Bharati

The Centre has appointed Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati, filling a key leadership position that had remained vacant for nearly five months.

The post had been unoccupied since December 2025, following the sudden resignation of Navneet Kumar Sehgal, a retired 1988-batch IAS officer, after a 20-month tenure.

The appointment, announced by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday, was welcomed by Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. He expressed confidence that Joshi’s leadership would bring “renewed energy” and a “fresh creative voice” to the public broadcaster.

Describing Joshi as a “rare creative spirit,” Vaishnaw highlighted his contributions across advertising, literature, art, and cinema, noting that his vision is deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos.

“Under his stewardship, Prasar Bharati will discover renewed energy, deeper purpose, and a fresh creative voice. My very best wishes to him for a memorable and meaningful tenure ahead,” Vaishnaw said.

Joshi, who has been serving as chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification since August 2017, is set to take charge on Monday.

A prominent name in the communications industry, he previously served as CEO and Chief Creative Officer of McCann Worldgroup India and Chairman for McCann Asia Pacific. He is also a trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts.

According to the Ministry, Joshi’s tenure at the CBFC reflected a balanced approach towards creative expression and regulatory responsibility, positioning him as a strong fit to lead the country’s public broadcasting network.