Ownership & classification
Founded: 1924
Ownership
Hindustan Times is published by HT Media Ltd, a company listed on the BSE and NSE but majority-owned and controlled by the K. K. Birla branch of the Birla industrial family. Shobhana Bhartia, daughter of industrialist Krishna Kumar Birla and granddaughter of G. D. Birla, is chairperson and editorial director. The paper was founded in 1924 amid the independence movement and incorporated under HT Media in 2002.
Funding
HT Media earns revenue chiefly from print and digital advertising and newspaper/subscription sales, supplemented by other group media businesses such as Hindustan (Hindi) and Mint. It is a commercial, profit-oriented listed company.
Affiliation & stance
Hindustan Times is privately and commercially controlled by the Birla/Bhartia family with no party or state ownership, which is why it is classified as INDEPENDENT. Its editorial line is broadly centrist, though it has at times been criticised for caution toward the government given the family's business interests. This corporate-but-private ownership supports the INDEPENDENT label, matching the site's guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1524
83/100
Factual
77/100
Objective
1619
Articles
1619
reports
Factual: How accurately its articles report the facts, judged against primary sources and the cross-outlet consensus. Only articles that cite their sources are counted.
Objective: How neutral the writing is — whether reporting keeps the writer’s own preferences and opinions out of the article.
Recent coverage

For the first time ever, three new Supreme Court judges to take oath in the afternoon
The article reports that for the first time in history, three new Supreme Court judges will take their oath of office in the afternoon, rather than the usual morning time of 10:30 am. This change marks a departure from the traditional schedule followed by the court on working days when hearings are conducted.

CJP's Saurav Das claims he, Abhijeet Dipke could be arrested before Oct 10 protest
The Chief Judicial Police officer, Saurav Das, has claimed that he and Abhijeet Dipke might face arrest prior to an upcoming protest scheduled for October 10th. The statement suggests potential legal action against them, though the specific reasons for such arrests have not been detailed in the provided text. This development comes amid heightened tensions surrounding the protest, which likely involves issues related to judicial authority or public order. The claim by Das raises questions about the legality and intent behind any potential arrests, prompting calls for transparency and due process.

Middle East crisis likely to delay Delhi’s 70 new mechanical road sweepers from Europe
Delhi's civic body is facing potential delays in receiving 70 new mechanical road sweepers ordered from Europe due to the ongoing Middle East crisis. The city currently uses 66 such sweepers, which are spread over approximately 1,400 km of major roads with widths exceeding 60 feet. The delay could impact the efficiency of road maintenance and cleanliness operations in the capital.

Samajwadi Party drops plan to field third candidate in UP Rajya Sabha polls, BJP to win 8 of the 10 seats
The Samajwadi Party (SP) has abandoned its plan to contest all 10 Rajya Sabha seats from Uttar Pradesh, leading to the possibility that these seats will be filled unopposed. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is expected to secure eight of the ten seats, while the SP will retain the remaining two. This development indicates a lack of competitive electoral contests in the state for these positions, potentially reflecting the dominance of the BJP and the SP in the region.

17 protesters accused of vandalism during anti-SIR protest in Delhi get bail
Seventeen individuals involved in protests against alleged irregularities in the SIR (likely referring to a specific policy, law, or organization) in Delhi have been granted bail. They were accused of vandalism during the demonstration. The protests were centered around concerns regarding perceived improprieties related to the SIR, though further details about the nature of these allegations or the specific actions taken by the protesters are not provided in the excerpt. The granting of bail suggests that legal proceedings against them may continue, but they are currently allowed to remain free while awaiting further court action.

SIR row: Security heightened at EC headquarters ahead of I.N.D.I.A bloc protest
Security has been increased around the Election Commission of India (EC) headquarters in New Delhi ahead of a planned protest by the I.N.D.I.A bloc over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls. Officials stated that heightened security measures were implemented due to protests organized by various organizations and opposition parties, citing alleged irregularities in the SIR process. The I.N.D.I.A bloc plans to have its opposition MPs march to the EC headquarters and meet President Droupadi Murmu to address concerns regarding the SIR exercise. The EC has faced criticism from opposition parties but maintains that all decisions related to the SIR were made unanimously. Protests have been ongoing since September 30, following a meeting of 19 opposition parties.

Delhi govt withholds additional DCP charge for ACP accused of harassing journalist
The Delhi government has withheld the additional duty charge (CDC) for Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Vivek Bhagat, who is accused of sexually harassing a woman journalist during a protest against the Chief Electoral Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar. Bhagat, one of 12 DANIPS officers initially assigned the CDC on Monday, voluntarily requested to delay the charge until a full inquiry into the harassment allegations is completed. The government stated that the assignment of CDC is a temporary administrative measure with no financial benefits and that officers holding the charge cannot perform statutory duties of the regular incumbent. The incident occurred during a protest where three women journalists accused Delhi Police officers of sexual harassment related to alleged irregularities in election commission operations. The Delhi Police has acknowledged the complaints and referred them to the Crime Branch for investigation.

BJP BLA faces search warrant over Form 7
A court in Ballari has authorized police to search the office of BJP booth-level agent T Srinivas Mothkur regarding a list of 7,561 voters whose names he attempted to verify during Karnataka’s electoral roll revision. The search follows an investigation into potential irregularities related to voter verification processes. The officer involved confirmed the court's directive, indicating the police are now permitted to conduct the search. This development highlights ongoing scrutiny of electoral procedures and the role of political agents in maintaining accurate voter records.

Bypolls in 5 Assembly seats of Tamil Nadu, Bengal, Puducherry & one Lok Sabha seat in Assam underway; AJUP's Humayun Kabir detained
By-elections are currently taking place in five assembly constituencies across Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Puducherry, and one Lok Sabha seat in Assam. In West Bengal, voters are casting their ballots for the Nandigram and Rejinagar constituencies under tight security, with over 70 central force companies deployed. In Rejinagar, there was an incident where the AJUP president, Humayun Kabir, was reportedly detained by police during the poll, while his son Golam Nabi Azad ran as the party's candidate. The Nandigram constituency holds historical significance as it was central to Mamata Banerjee's anti-land acquisition movement and later became a battleground between the TMC and BJP. Meanwhile, in Assam, the Nagaon Lok Sabha seat sees a competitive race among the BJP, Congress, and AIUDF, following the resignation of Congress MP Pradyut Bordoloi who joined the BJP.
India Mobile Congress begins on Wednesday, PM Modi to inaugurate on October 8
The India Mobile Congress, scheduled to take place from October 7 to 10 at Yashobhoomi, has been themed 'Scale Without Boundaries' for this year. The event is expected to focus on advancements and innovations in the mobile technology sector. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate the congress on October 8. This gathering brings together industry leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss the future of mobile technology in India. The theme suggests a focus on expanding technological capabilities and overcoming limitations in scaling up solutions.

Criminal case can’t be strong-arm tactic to force marriage: Supreme Court
The Indian Supreme Court ruled that a criminal case cannot be used as a coercive tactic to force marriage, emphasizing that consent in a relationship cannot be retrospectively considered as having been obtained through coercion. The judgment highlights the importance of genuine consent in personal relationships and cautions against using legal proceedings as a means to pressure individuals into marital unions. This ruling underscores the court’s commitment to protecting individual autonomy and preventing misuse of legal mechanisms for social control.

India expands Shakti engine production for Dhruv, Prachand helicopters
The article reports that HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited) is expanding its production of the Shakti engine for the Dhruv and Prachand helicopters. Currently, HAL produces 80 Ardiden 1H1 Shakti engines per year at its Bengaluru facility, and the new production line will increase this capacity to 180 engines annually. The expansion aims to enhance indigenous manufacturing capabilities and support the operational needs of these helicopter models.

Tarang Shakti: Over 25 IAF women officers fly in largest-ever international exercise
India's Air Force conducted 'Tarang Shakti,' a two-week multinational military exercise held in Jodhpur. The event involved air forces from eight countries, including the United States, France, Germany, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. More than 25 Indian Air Force female officers participated in this exercise, marking it as the largest-ever international air force drill involving women pilots.

















