Centre Appoints Prasoon Joshi As Chairman Of Prasar Bharati: 'Rare Creative Spirit'

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday appointed lyricist, writer and communications expert Prasoon Joshi as the Chairman of Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster.

Joshi, a distinguished creative professional with wide-ranging contributions across literature, advertising, cinema, and public communication, has served as the Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) since 2017. His appointment comes after the resignation of Navneet Kumar Sehgal.

“My heartfelt congratulations to Prasoon Joshi ji on his appointment as Chairman of the Prasar Bharati Board. Prasoon ji is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the world in advertising, literature, art and cinema, yet his heart beats unmistakably for

India,” said Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw on his appointment.

“His words carry the fragrance of our soil, and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture. 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,” he added.

Known for his impactful writing and deep cultural sensibility, Joshi has played a significant role in shaping contemporary Indian media narratives. His body of work spans acclaimed film lyrics, advertising campaigns, and socially resonant storytelling that connects with diverse audiences across the country, as per an official statement.

Before his tenure at CBFC, Joshi also served as CEO, McCann World Group India and Chairman, McCann World Group Asia Pacific (a subsidiary of McCann Erickson). He is also one of the Trustees of Indira Gandhi National Centre for Arts since 2016.

Prasar Bharati is India’s statutory autonomous public service broadcaster and the parent body of Doordarshan (DD) and All India Radio (AIR). It has also launched the Waves OTT platform for strengthening free-to-air OTT services in the spirit of public broadcasting.

Navneet Sehgal, a retired 1988-batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre, served as Chairman since March 2024, before abruptly resigning from the post in December 2025, with over a year of his tenure left.

According to the Prasar Bharati website, Sehgal had over 35 years of experience in leading key departments and pushing policy reform in the Centre and state.