The Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Saturday appointed lyricist and communications expert Prasoon Joshi as president of Prasar Bharati, with Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnau hailing the move as enabling “renewed energy” and a “new creative voice” for the broadcasting agency.
The post had been lying vacant for the last five months following the sudden resignation of former chief Navneet Kumar Sehgal, a retired IAS officer of the 1988 batch, in December 2025, after serving for 20 months.
A memorandum obtained by HT showed that the ministry accepted Sehgal’s resignation under Section 7(6) of the Prasar Bharati (Broadcasting Corporation of India) Act, 1990, on December 2.
HT has learnt that Joshi, who has served as the chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification since August 2017, will take charge of Prasar Bharati on Monday.
“Prason Ji is a rare creative spirit celebrated across the globe in advertising, literature, art and cinema, yet his heart beats unmistakably for India. His words carry the fragrance of our soil, and his vision reflects the timeless essence of our culture. Under his leadership, Prasar Bharati will discover renewed energy, deeper purpose, and a new creative voice,” Vaishnau said, adding that his tenure will be “unforgettable and meaningful.”
Joshi, who previously served as the Chairman of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in Mumbai from August 2017, has contributions spanning multiple fields, including literature, advertising, cinema and public communication. He has also been a trustee of the Indira Gandhi National Center for the Arts (IGNCA) since 2016.
It is still unclear who will take over as CBFC president as Joshi’s successor, with an I&B official saying matters have not been decided currently and are under consideration.
