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 377
79/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
786
Articles
786
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
U.S. and Iran agree to cease attacks and return to talks
World Cup round-up: Messi breaks scoring record, Algeria survive, but Jordan are eliminated
Haaland with the late winning goal: Norway prevails
Kerala monsoon onset: Why southwest monsoon arrival matters for India
Belgium Shatter Senegal's World Cup Hopes on Controversial Penalty Kick
PM Modi likely to visit Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand in July
Seychelles says citation for Modi that contained typos was not final, shouldn’t have been circulated
Lucknow building exceeded power load limit for months before blaze killed 15
The lack of accountability within the NTA
Recent coverage
An American gets the maximum amount of recovery time at Wimbledon.
The article discusses the scheduling of the first-round doubles match at Wimbledon involving American tennis player Serena Williams and her sister Venus Williams against the Argentine-Colombian pair Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio. The match was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday but has been postponed due to Serena's injury during her singles match. Tournament organizer Andy Murray (likely a misstatement, as Andy Murray is a British player, and the correct name might be someone like Ashley Barker or another official) stated they are giving Serena as much time as possible to recover. They ruled out postponing the match to later dates unless necessary for safety or tournament flow. The match is expected to take place on a larger court to accommodate the large crowd attracted by Serena and Venus, who are major stars. Serena returned to professional tennis after four years, but she lost her first singles match and injured her knee. She did not attend a press conference afterward due to health reasons and expressed her commitment to participating in the doubles event. Serena and Venus have won six doubles titles together, including a title in 2016.
Traffic snarls on NEET day: Congress and BJP indulge in war of words
On June 22, 2026, a political dispute erupted between India's ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP regarding traffic congestion in Bengaluru that allegedly caused some students to miss the NEET re-examination at RC College. BJP MP Tejasvi Surya claimed that several students were unable to reach the exam venue due to heavy traffic around Palace Grounds, where a Congress event was being held. Congress denied these claims, with Home Minister Priyank Kharge stating that only a small number of students were absent, citing specific cases such as a student who missed the exam due to a delayed bus and another who had an incorrect admission ticket. He also accused Surya of spreading misinformation, noting that the BJP had previously remained silent during a major NEET question paper leak that affected 22 lakh students. B.K. Hariprasad, leader of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee, acknowledged traffic congestion but stated that efforts were made to minimize disruption, including arranging parking within the venue. He also pointed out that similar absences occurred in other districts and questioned why the BJP was focusing on the Congress event rather than addressing the larger
Ketan murder case: Siya and Chetan used code words in chats, say Pune cops
Pune police investigating the murder of 25-year-old businessman Ketan Agarwal have discovered that his accused killers, Siya Goyal and her boyfriend Chetan Chaudhary, allegedly used 'code words' in their communications. Police seized a second mobile phone from Siya, believing it may contain crucial information about the coded messages. Initially, Siya claimed the death was accidental, but she and Chetan later admitted to the murder, which involved pushing Ketan off a cliff at Lohagad Fort. Investigating Officer Manoj Pawar noted that the code words' meanings remain unclear. The prosecution requested more time to interrogate the suspects using data from the phones, but the court denied the request and ordered both suspects into judicial custody until July 16. Police plan to analyze the new evidence as part of the ongoing investigation.
In top gear: Electric passenger vehicle sales may cross 3 lakhs in 2026
India's electric passenger vehicle (EPV) market is projected to surpass 300,000 unit sales in 2026, up from nearly 200,000 units sold in 2025. As of early 2026, registration numbers are approaching 150,000 units, indicating strong growth. This increase is attributed to new model introductions, aggressive marketing by manufacturers, and advancements in charging infrastructure. Monthly EPV registrations have averaged approximately 27,000 units over the past four months, significantly higher than previous years. Analysts predict that the second half of the year, influenced by festive demand and new product launches, will drive annual sales beyond the 300,000-unit threshold. Frost & Sullivan forecasts this outcome under an optimistic scenario, while Crisil highlights factors like increased model availability, improved battery technology, and reduced cost barriers as drivers of growth.
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
Will sit outside Gadkari's house, says Tehseen Poonawalla ahead of E20 protest
India is preparing for its first street protest against the government's ethanol-blended petrol (E20) policy, organized by entrepreneur Tehseen Poonawalla. The protest, titled 'TEAM BHARAT against the Ethanol Scam,' is scheduled for Sunday at Delhi's Jantar Mantar. Poonawalla has stated that if police permission is denied, a small group of protesters may instead sit outside the residence of Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, who supports the ethanol-blending initiative. Critics argue that the rushed implementation of E20 has caused issues such as reduced vehicle mileage and increased wear and tear, despite government assurances that the impact is minimal. Over 80% of Indian vehicles were not E20-compatible as of April 2024, according to Thomson Reuters Foundation. Poonawalla has expressed frustration with the Delhi Police's response, calling for respect for democratic rights to protest.
Rush Hour: Six Uddhav Sena MPs switch sides, 14 students die in Lucknow fire and more
Six Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) Lok Sabha MPs defected to the faction led by Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, reducing the Uddhav Sena's representation in the Lok Sabha to three members while increasing the Shinde group's count to 13. The MPs who switched include Nagesh Patil Ashtikar, Omprakash Nimbalkar, Sanjay Dina Patil, Sanjay Deshmukh, Sanjay Jadhav, and Bhausaheb Wakchaure. Before their formal joining of the Shinde faction, Uddhav Thackeray met with his faction's leaders in Mumbai to discuss future political strategies. Separately, 14 students died in a fire at a three-story building housing a coaching center in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, with four others injured. In Odisha, the Assembly Speaker rejected a petition from the Biju Janata Dal seeking the disqualification of eight MLAs over allegations of cross-voting during Rajya Sabha elections, calling the petition 'vague' and lacking legal basis. Additionally, opposition leaders accused authorities of targeting Muslim places of worship, citing reports of at least 14 mosques and dargahs demolished in Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, with notices issued to hundreds of other religious sites. These actions,据称
Team India coach's clear message on Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut
India's T20I bowling coach Morne Morkel emphasized that the team management will continue to support openers Sanju Samson and Abhishek Sharma, despite pressure to debut 15-year-old prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Sooryavanshi gained attention after his standout performance in the Indian Premier League (IPL), leading to his inclusion in India's T20I squads against Ireland and England. While Abhishek Sharma has performed reasonably well on the current UK tour, Samson has struggled with low scores. Morkel stated that the coaching staff values consistency and experience, noting that both Samson and Sharma have contributed significantly to India's success. Although Sooryavanshi is seen as a promising talent, Morkel indicated that his debut would depend on the team's needs and the development of the existing lineup. Additionally, Morkel praised young pace bowler Prince Yadav for his early performances.
Former India coach delivers unvarnished take as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's landmark debut is delayed: 'He should've played in Ireland'
A former India cricket coach has expressed strong criticism regarding the delay in Vaibhav Sooryavanshi's debut, suggesting he should have made his international debut earlier, specifically in Ireland. The comment comes amid discussions around Sooryavanshi's potential inclusion in the Indian team, highlighting concerns over his readiness for international competition. The coach's remarks reflect broader debates within cricket circles about player development timelines and selection criteria. While the delay has been attributed to various factors including fitness and form, the coach's direct critique underscores the pressure on young talents to perform at the highest level. This situation illustrates ongoing challenges in balancing youth development with competitive demands in professional sports.
Smuggling of human placenta for anti-ageing serum? 3 Chinese men arrested in Pak
Pakistani authorities have arrested five individuals, including three Chinese nationals, in connection with an alleged international smuggling ring that trafficked human placentas for use in anti-ageing products. The operation, led by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), uncovered two illegal processing facilities in Islamabad where placentas were cleaned, dried, and prepared for export to Vietnam under the brand 'She Placenta.' The FIA seized processing equipment, biological materials, and finished products, and a case was filed under Pakistan’s Human Organ and Tissue Transplantation Act. Investigations are ongoing, with authorities probing potential links to hospitals, waste management firms, and immigration officials. The smuggling syndicate is suspected to have processed nearly 200 kg of placentas.
Bengal braces for UCC battle as BJP government prepares to table Bill in assembly
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government in West Bengal is preparing to introduce the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill in the state assembly, following similar moves in Uttarakhand, Assam, and Gujarat. Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari emphasized procedural adherence to counter criticisms about insufficient consultation on this major legal reform. The UCC aims to replace religion-based personal laws governing marriage, divorce, inheritance, and adoption with a unified legal framework, though it will exclude constitutionally protected tribal communities. The BJP claims the UCC aligns with their political commitments and promises of equality under the law, while the ruling Trinamool Congress opposes it, accusing the BJP of using the legislation for political gain rather than genuine reform. Opposition leaders argue the issue requires broader societal consensus and caution against rushing through such a contentious bill.
Govt flags fraud and impersonation risks in WhatsApp username feature, MeitY to call Meta for talks
The Indian government, specifically the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is planning to consult with Meta-owned WhatsApp regarding its new username feature due to concerns over potential risks such as impersonation and fraud. Law enforcement agencies, including the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Delhi Police, have raised alarms that the feature might enable users to create fake profiles resembling legitimate organizations, making it easier to commit fraud. Officials worry that the feature could complicate law enforcement efforts by allowing users to operate anonymously using international phone numbers, thereby hindering investigations. There are also concerns about WhatsApp's slow response times to data requests from authorities. The government is evaluating the feature's potential risks and has expressed worries that the change could align WhatsApp with platforms like Telegram and Signal, which already use usernames instead of phone numbers.
Google was Aravind Srinivas's middle-class dream. Perplexity made him CEO
Aravind Srinivas, who grew up in a lower-middle-class Indian family, pursued a stable job at Google as his main ambition. However, his perspective shifted during his academic years when he became interested in artificial intelligence and experimented with limited resources. Over time, he moved away from seeking stability toward embracing risk and innovation, eventually founding Perplexity AI. His journey reflects a transformation from a conventional career path to a more ambitious pursuit of success, driven by personal experiences and a mindset focused on taking bold risks.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided
England were almost spectacularly knocked out by DR Congo, saved by Kane and, thankfully, not a controversial penalty.
'What's the point of VAR?' Drogba fumes after Ivory Coast's World Cup exit
Paraguay's finest hour: Giants Germany sent packing in Round of 32
JD Vance slams Israeli 'freakout' over Iran deal, says Trump is your only ally
Trump says no one deliberately targeted Iran girls' school, probe continues
6 satellites in 16 months: Pakistan has quietly built a surveillance network
Deadly clashes, JAAC crackdown and calls for reform: Why PoK is on the boil
