IndiaOwnership & classification
Founded: 1975
Ownership
India Today is published by Living Media India Ltd, the flagship of the India Today Group founded in 1975 by Aroon Purie (with Madhu Trehan). Living Media is jointly controlled by the Purie family, through World Media Pvt Ltd (about 48%), and by IGH Holdings Pvt Ltd (about 41.5%), an investment vehicle linked to the Aditya Birla Group (held via Essel Mining), with the Puries also holding a direct stake. Aroon Purie remains chairman and editor-in-chief; the group also runs Aaj Tak and the TV Today Network.
Funding
The group is financed by advertising across its magazine, television and digital outlets plus magazine sales and subscriptions; it is a commercial media business, not state- or party-funded.
Affiliation & stance
India Today is privately and commercially owned by the Purie family alongside an Aditya Birla-linked investor, with no party or government ownership, which is why it is classified as INDEPENDENT. Its editorial stance is broadly centrist, though critics note opacity around how much corporate interest shapes coverage. The private commercial control supports the INDEPENDENT label, consistent with the site's guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 1001
80/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
1250
Articles
1215
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
Italian blood ... : HD Kumaraswamy attacks Sonia Gandhi over Vande Mataram row
Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy criticized Sonia Gandhi during a political debate over the singing of the full version of Vande Mataram at the Congress party's Independence Day celebration. Kumaraswamy accused Gandhi of having 'Italian blood' and questioned the party's explanation for the incident. During the event at Congress headquarters, the full version of the national song was sung despite the party's stance against it. Sonia Gandhi reportedly signaled to party leader Mallikarjun Kharge to stop the singing, prompting reactions from both parties. The BJP alleged that Gandhi opposed the full rendition, but Congress denied the claim, stating she merely requested a chair for Kharge. The incident intensified tensions between the BJP and Congress over the national anthem's usage.
Pakistan ex-PM Imran Khan taken back to jail after brief hospital visit
Former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan was returned to Adiala jail in Rawalpindi after a brief hospital visit, despite a Supreme Court order requiring him to stay in a medical facility for up to two weeks. The court had mandated the visit due to concerns over Khan's health and incarceration conditions, citing a medical board recommendation for more family interaction and access to his physician. However, the government opposed the order, arguing that no formal notice had been given and that immediate hospitalization was not feasible. Khan, who has faced multiple corruption charges and has been imprisoned since September 2023, has been a focal point of international human rights organizations like Amnesty International and the UN's special rapporteur on torture, which have criticized his treatment as potentially constituting torture.
Fish feast at Congress's Ayodhya event sparks row, party leader defends food choice
A controversy emerged in Ayodhya over a fish feast organized during a welcome program for Uttar Pradesh Congress chief Ajay Rai, which sparked objections from local religious figures due to the timing during the Hindu month of Sawan. The event, held at a banquet hall near the Hanuman Garhi Temple and Kanwar route, was captured in a video showing fish preparation and collection amidst heavy rain. Organizers, including Congress leader Ram Nihal Nishad, defended the choice, citing constitutional rights and traditional practices of the Nishad community. The incident ignited a debate between those objecting on religious grounds and supporters emphasizing personal choice and cultural traditions. Meanwhile, Rai criticized the BJP government during his visit to local temples, accusing it of oppression and misappropriating temple funds.
How a bureaucrat has forced Maharashtra’s eateries and other food businesses to clean up their act
Tukaram Mundhe, the newly appointed Commissioner of Maharashtra's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), has launched a stringent campaign against unhygienic food practices across the state. Since taking office in May, Mundhe has ordered increased surprise inspections and immediate suspension notices for severe violations, targeting both small businesses and major chains like Domino's and Pizza Hut. Legacy establishments such as K Rustom ice-cream parlors and Parsi Dairy have faced temporary license suspensions due to issues like fungal growth and pest infestations. Mundhe's actions have extended to quick-commerce warehouses of companies like Blinkit and Zepto, leading to shutdowns for unsanitary conditions. While the crackdown has garnered public praise and social media attention, including support from actor Paresh Rawal, many business owners argue that Mundhe bypasses standard procedures by issuing immediate penalties. The Bombay High Court recently criticized the FDA for overreach, fining a Pune sweet shop for failing to reinstate its license despite high compliance rates.
Why Turkish military planes made repeated Pakistan trips in 3 days
Over three days, multiple Turkish C-130 Hercules transport aircraft were observed shuttling between Turkey and Pakistan, primarily landing at Pakistan's Nur Khan and Masroor airbases. Intelligence sources noted the unusual frequency and pattern of these movements, suggesting they may have involved the transfer of drones and air defense systems to Pakistan. The deliveries reportedly include the Bayraktar TB2 drone, which has been used in conflicts like Ukraine's war against Russia. This aligns with Pakistan's efforts to enhance its unmanned warfare capabilities, supported by defense cooperation agreements with Turkey and Saudi Arabia. The activity occurs amid Pakistan's ongoing military modernization and strategic focus on drones and long-endurance unmanned platforms.
'Didn't back him': Gill questioned after Kuldeep bowled just 25 overs in Galle
Mohammed Kaif, a former Indian cricketer, criticized captain Shubman Gill for not giving Kuldeep Yadav sufficient opportunities during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. Kuldeep bowled only 25 overs and took one wicket, while other spinners like Manav Suthar and Ravindra Jadeja bowled more extensively and claimed more wickets. Kaif argued that Kuldeep, a rare wrist-spinner, requires extended spells to find his rhythm and correct errors. He emphasized that Gill's limited use of Kuldeep indicated a lack of trust in the player. Kaif also supported Ravi Shastri's view that Kuldeep is India's top spinner in overseas conditions and suggested that the team might consider debuting Saransh Jain, an all-rounder from Madhya Pradesh, in the upcoming Test in Colombo due to Sri Lanka's strong left-handed batters.
Swine flu spike in Delhi: Govt urges masks, avoid crowds, seek medical help
Delhi has experienced a significant increase in swine flu (H1N1) and other influenza cases, prompting the government to issue a public health advisory. As of the latest update, over 1,777 H1N1 cases have been reported this year, with 114 new infections recorded on Thursday alone. The total number of Influenza-A cases exceeds 2,300, leading to heightened surveillance and preparedness efforts. The advisory encourages residents to practice good respiratory hygiene, wear masks in crowded areas, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms. Health officials emphasized that the city is well-equipped to handle the surge, with 35 hospitals under special monitoring and two dedicated laboratories for testing. The Delhi Health Ministry confirmed there is no shortage of medical resources, and ongoing monitoring through programs like the Integrated Disease Surveillance Programme continues.
15 months on, Jaish rebuilds Bahawalpur base hit by India during Op Sindoor
India Today reports that the Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) has fully reconstructed its Markaz Subhan Allah headquarters in Bahawalpur, Pakistan, which was heavily damaged during India's Operation Sindoor in May 2025. Exclusive visuals obtained by India Today TV show the facility has been restored with new materials, repaired domes, and refinished interiors, effectively hiding the damage from the Indian strikes. Intelligence sources indicate that Pakistan provided PKR 25 crore in funding for the repairs, with PKR 11 crore allocated specifically to the central hall. The reconstruction, which took 15 months, includes the rebuilding of adjacent structures like the Madrasa Al-Sabir and residential quarters. The facility, located near the International Border, was a key hub for JeM's operations, including recruitment and planning attacks such as the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2019 Pulwama suicide bombing. The rebuilding comes despite JeM being designated a terrorist organization, and follows reports of fundraising efforts tied to the group.
BJP forms Gen Z outreach team: Nabin, Smriti and Vinod Tawde among key faces
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has established a specialized outreach team focused on engaging with Generation Z, naming prominent figures such as Nitin Nabin, Smriti Irani, and Vinod Tawde as key members. This initiative follows Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for closer interaction with young people in educational institutions. The program aims to address the concerns, aspirations, and expectations of young voters while providing opportunities for direct engagement with BJP leadership. In contrast, the opposition Congress is also increasing its efforts to connect with younger demographics, exemplified by Rahul Gandhi’s upcoming event in Pune. The BJP criticized this event, accusing the Congress of using social media influencers to attract crowds, though the Congress denied these claims. Additional details regarding the BJP’s outreach strategy, including schedules and formats, are anticipated to be released shortly.
Urdu mein Tiranga pehna hai: Row erupts as Congress mocks PM's I-Day attire
On August 15, 2026, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi faced criticism from Congress leaders regarding the color arrangement of his pocket square during his Independence Day address at the Red Fort. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera mocked Modi, suggesting the tricolor pocket square appeared reversed, akin to the Irish flag, and implied Modi might have been celebrating Ireland's Independence Day instead of India's. Other Congress members echoed these claims, stating the sequence of colors on the pocket square did not align with the standard saffron-white-green order of the Indian flag. This led to a significant debate on social media, where some users defended Modi, clarifying that the pocket square was not the national flag and that the colors were arranged sequentially. Others referenced the Indian Flag Code, explaining that when displayed vertically, the saffron band should be on the right side of the flag. Meanwhile, Modi's overall attire included a traditional red tie-dye turban, white kurta-pyjama, and a brown jacket, alongside a detailed seven-point reform plan for India's development by 2047.
A threat hiding in plane sight: Why the food on our plates may be riskier than we think
The article discusses the issue of food adulteration in India, highlighting how it often goes unnoticed compared to more dramatic threats like terrorism or pollution. It argues that food safety is frequently overlooked until a specific incident draws public attention, such as the 2016 Centre for Science and Environment study that found harmful additives in bread samples in Delhi. The piece explains that food adulteration involves adding harmful substances or substituting ingredients for economic gain, which can pose significant health risks. It emphasizes that the danger persists throughout the year, not just during festivals, but public concern tends to resurface only when incidents occur.
Why Bhavnagar spurious liquor deaths in 'dry' Gujarat are shocking yet hardly surprising
In Gujarat's Bhavnagar district, at least seven people have died and 30 others hospitalized after consuming spurious liquor during a farm gathering. The counterfeit drink, sold under an Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) brand, was traced back to smuggling networks primarily operating from Madhya Pradesh. Authorities detained 12 suspects and recovered most of the illegal stock. This incident follows a deadly hooch tragedy in July 2022 that killed 42 people, highlighting ongoing issues with the state's prohibition laws. Critics argue that Gujarat's strict alcohol ban since 1960, reinforced by a 2017 legal amendment, has driven illicit production and smuggling rather than reducing consumption. Enforcement of safety measures remains inconsistent, leading to recurring public health crises.
Bengaluru: Second IISc student suicide in 15 days as 22-yr-old dies in hostel
A 22-year-old first-year MTech student at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru allegedly died by suicide in his hostel room on August 20, marking the second such incident at the institution within 15 days. The student was studying in the Department of Computer Science and Automation (CSA) and had been residing at the Krithika hostel since August 3. The IISc administration did not respond to inquiries from the Hindustan Times. Registrar Prof D Nagesh Kumar expressed sadness over the incident and emphasized the availability of mental health support services, including a 24×7 counseling helpline. Authorities have registered an Unnatural Death Report and are conducting further investigations. This follows the suicide of a 19-year-old BTech student at the same institute on August 6.