IndiaOwnership & classification
Founded: 2014
Ownership
Scroll.in is an independent digital news site launched in January 2014, owned by Scroll Media Inc, the holding company founded by entrepreneur Samir Patil (a former McKinsey associate and founder of ACK Media) with journalist Naresh Fernandes as editor and co-founder Jennifer O'Brien. The company is privately held and not part of any large industrial conglomerate or political group.
Funding
Scroll.in is funded through a mix of digital advertising, reader contributions/membership and grants from journalism-support foundations, including early backing reported from the Media Development Investment Fund, the IPS Media Foundation and Omidyar Network. This donor-and-reader model keeps it independent of conglomerate or state money.
Affiliation & stance
Scroll.in is privately owned by its founders with no party, church or state control, which is why it is classified as INDEPENDENT. Its reporting is investigative and editorially left-leaning/liberal, frequently critical of the government, but that stance reflects editorial choice rather than ownership by any political interest. The independent ownership supports the INDEPENDENT label, matching the site's guess.
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Progressive
- Measured from coverage
- Lean Progressivebased on 541
78/100
Factual
72/100
Objective
630
Articles
617
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
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.
Maharashtra: More than 700 drivers issued notices for lack of basic Marathi skills
The Maharashtra Transport Department has issued notices to 777 drivers for lacking functional knowledge of the Marathi language, according to reports. A statewide inspection campaign conducted between August 20 and August 22 tested 5,211 drivers, with 3,942 in Mumbai alone. Drivers found unqualified were given one month to improve their Marathi skills. The requirement was initially set for May 1 but postponed to August 15. Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik warned of strict enforcement starting August 16, including cancellation of licenses for non-compliance. The policy now applies to drivers using ride-hailing services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido. Marshals conduct roadside tests asking drivers to respond to basic Marathi phrases.
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.
‘London Falling’: A captivating investigation into a 19-year-old’s double life and death in London
Patrick Radden Keefe's book 'London Falling' explores the mysterious death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler in 2019, revealing a complex web of lies, deception, and criminal activity. Zac, who lied about his identity and family background, became entangled with individuals like Verinder Sharma, known by multiple aliases, who had a history of violence and illicit dealings. His parents, Matthew and Rachelle Brettler, discovered discrepancies in the police investigation and sought answers independently, uncovering the murky underbelly of London's society. The narrative delves into themes of identity, fraud, and the consequences of personal choices, highlighting the tragic intersection of individual lives within a larger system of corruption.
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.
‘India’s Forests, Real and Imagined’: Forests as literary-political figures across three millennia
The article discusses 'India’s Forests, Real and Imagined' by Alan Johnson, a literary ecocriticism work exploring the symbolic role of forests in Indian literature over three millennia. The book examines ancient texts like the Sanskrit epics and Tamil Sangam poetry, transitioning to colonial and postcolonial narratives. Johnson argues that forests represent both ecological reality and cultural constructs, shaping Indian identity and morality. The work highlights how forests functioned as spaces for moral testing and spiritual retreat in early texts, while also connecting these themes to modern literary and environmental discourse.
Ramachandra Guha: Historian Sumit Sarkar took his scholarship beyond the confines of the academy
Sumit Sarkar, a prominent Indian historian, reflected on the state of historical scholarship in India, noting that historians have largely followed their own agendas rather than external influences. Born in 1939 in Calcutta, Sarkar faced three dominant historical trends during his career: dogmatic Marxism, postmodernism/postcolonialism, and religious majoritarianism associated with the Sangh Parivar. He rejected 'pomo-poco' thought for downplaying economic and social factors, and opposed Hindutva ideology for its threat to democratic values. While distancing himself from Marxist economic determinism, he maintained a commitment to Marxist ideals of equality and justice. Sarkar's work included seminal works such as 'Modern India: 1885-1947,' which provided a comprehensive account of India's transition from colonial rule to independence.
Watch: In ‘Babita Singh Reporting’, Nimisha Sajayan plays a cop who investigates her friend’s murder
The article announces the release of the movie trailer for 'Babita Singh Reporting,' directed by Ambiecka Pandit and written by Amita Vyas. The film features Nimisha Sajayan in a leading role as a police officer investigating the murder of her friend. It also includes other notable actors such as Anshumaan Pushkar, Barun Sobti, Sunita Rajwar, and Priyanka Setia. The movie is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on August 28, 2026. The article provides basic information about the cast, director, and platform, with no further details on plot or critical reception.
Couldn't protest against party wrongdoings: TMC's Asish Banerjee in suicide note
Asish Banerjee, a senior leader of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and former West Bengal minister, was found dead by suicide inside a party office in Birbhum district. His body was discovered hanging, and a purported suicide note attributed to him denied involvement in alleged corruption linked to the Tarapith Rampurhat Development Authority (TRDA). In the note, Banerjee claimed he had no authority over tender decisions, cheque signing, or plan approvals at TRDA and expressed frustration over being unable to protest internal party wrongdoing. He also accused others of attempting to malign and humiliate him, stating that entering politics was a mistake. Banerjee, a five-time MLA representing Rampurhat for 25 years, lost his seat to the BJP in the 2026 Assembly polls. His death follows the TMC's loss of power in West Bengal and increased scrutiny of former party leaders amid corruption investigations. Police are examining the circumstances of his death, and TMC officials have condemned what they describe as a smear campaign against him.
Jharkhand: Protesters clash with police, JMM workers after HC stays recruitment cancellation
Protesters in Jharkhand clashed with police and Jharkhand Mukti Morcha workers after the Jharkhand High Court stayed the cancellation of several recruitment exams. Students, organized under the Jharkhand Public Service Commission-Jharkhand Staff Selection Commission Reforms Manch, attempted to burn effigies of Chief Minister Hemant Soren and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, leading to confrontations. The Mahagathbandhan alliance, which includes Soren's party and the Congress, is currently in power. The court's order to resume duties for affected candidates prompted the protest, with tensions escalating in Ranchi as police intercepted the effigy burning attempt. Similar incidents occurred in Hazaribag and Giridih, where Jharkhand Mukti Morcha workers reportedly confronted protesters. Student leaders criticized the state government for not adequately defending its decisions in court.
SC orders refund of fine paid by Art of Living for damage to Yamuna floodplains
The Supreme Court of India has ordered the refund of a Rs 5 crore fine previously imposed on the Art of Living foundation for alleged damage to the Yamuna floodplains during their 2016 'World Culture Festival.' The court ruled that there was no direct evidence linking the event to ecological harm and directed the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) to return the funds. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had initially fined the organization in 2017 for the damage, but the Supreme Court found the penalty unjustified. While granting relief to the Art of Living, the court also criticized the DDA for failing to protect the floodplains and urged continued efforts toward their rehabilitation. The foundation had sought to reclassify part of the fine as a bank guarantee and requested the funds be used for creating a biodiversity park.
1 in 3 US workers have ‘disposable’ jobs: An economist outlines the public costs
The article discusses the concept of 'disposable jobs' in the United States, where more than one-third of workers are treated as temporary or non-committal by employers. The author, a labor economist, describes these jobs as lacking career prospects or job security. Examples include contractors working through staffing firms, freelancers without employment benefits, and marginal workers with high turnover rates. The author cites a survey of over 6,000 individuals and interviews with workers and policymakers to support the findings. The study highlights the growing prevalence of such positions and their implications for both individuals and society.