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
- Centerbased on 460
80/100
Factual
74/100
Objective
532
Articles
532
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
Delhi withholds giving additional charge to police officer accused of sexually assaulting journalist
The Delhi government has decided not to assign additional deputy commissioner responsibilities to Assistant Commissioner of Police Vivek Bhagat, who faces sexual harassment allegations from a female journalist. The incident occurred during a protest related to the Chief Election Commissioner's resignation demands. The journalist claimed Bhagat groped her while documenting the detention of student leader Neha Bora. Despite filing a complaint at the Parliament Street police station, no action was taken. Unidentified police officials expressed concerns about holding police personnel accountable for their duties, suggesting such measures might discourage them from working. Meanwhile, Bhagat was recently assigned temporary duties as an additional deputy commissioner, a role that does not involve promotion or additional pay. The government stated this assignment was made prior to the current allegations.
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.
One-party election: BJP looks to sweep Nandigram with help from police and Trinamool turncoats
In the October 6 bye-election in Nandigram, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) appears to be gaining an advantage over the Congress candidate, Milan Pradhan. The BJP's campaign efforts, including the use of a powerful loudspeaker on a white Scorpio, overshadowed Pradhan's attempts to campaign using an e-rickshaw. The presence of Central Armed Police Forces personnel at the scene suggests potential security involvement. The BJP is running Adhikari, the chief minister, while also fielding the mother of his slain political aide, Chandranath Rath. The election has been marked by controversy since the BJP took power in West Bengal in 2021.
The world order is ‘complicated’. Can Indian foreign policy navigate ‘situationships’?
The article discusses the concept of 'values-based realism' introduced by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and popularized by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney during his speech at Davos. This framework suggests a flexible geopolitical approach where states prioritize immediate interests over long-term normative alignment, likened to a 'situationship' in personal relationships. The piece argues that India, despite its traditional emphasis on moral rhetoric and cautious diplomacy, has experience navigating complex regional dynamics, particularly with problematic regimes in its neighborhood. It suggests that India might be well-positioned to adapt to this evolving international order characterized by situational engagement rather than strict adherence to universal principles.
Jeffrey Archer, British author and former politician, dies at 86
Jeffrey Archer, a prominent British novelist and former Conservative Party politician, passed away at the age of 86. He was known for his prolific writing career, having authored over 30 novels that sold more than 30 crore copies globally. Archer entered politics in the 1960s, winning a parliamentary seat at 29 before being appointed deputy chairman of the Conservative Party under Margaret Thatcher in 1985. However, he resigned in 1986 following a scandal involving a photograph published by the News of the World, which showed a friend paying a sex worker. Although the tabloid did not explicitly accuse Archer of involvement, the Daily Star later suggested he might have been involved. Archer faced financial difficulties in 1974 due to the collapse of a business investment but continued his literary career, with his final novel set for release shortly after his death.
Missives from the heart: When Hindi cinema put the letter to song
The article explores the historical significance of letters in Hindi cinema, highlighting their emotional depth and narrative power. It notes various forms of letters depicted in films, such as khat, chitthi, and patra, which often convey personal and societal messages. The piece draws a parallel between these cinematic portrayals and the recent initiative by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, who has started writing a series of letters titled 'Yogi ki Pati' to address citizens on various topics. This modern use of letters is contrasted with contemporary digital communication methods like WhatsApp forwards and Instagram reels, emphasizing the enduring appeal of handwritten correspondence.
A new book examines why rural women are undergoing sterilisation despite ambivalence about surgery
The article discusses how rural women in Rajasthan perceive and understand tubal ligation procedures, particularly laparoscopic surgeries, through their daily experiences rather than biomedical discourse. It highlights the tension between technological advancements and traditional practices, revealing how these procedures are sometimes framed as 'choices' while ignoring systemic issues like poor healthcare quality and fatalities linked to population control programs. Rural women differentiate between open surgery and laparoscopic methods based on local terminology, reflecting broader societal attitudes toward medical interventions and state-led health policies. The piece underscores the complex interplay between individual agency, institutional power, and cultural narratives surrounding reproductive health.
SIR: Defending the indefensible
The article criticizes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in India as an undemocratic process filled with intentional errors and procedural violations. It argues that the Election Commission of India (ECI) did not address the systemic issues and instead implemented superficial fixes that failed to correct the underlying problems. The author highlights the illegal alteration of Form 6, which denied voting rights to many citizens, and points out that CEC Gyanesh Kumar made critical decisions without the consensus of fellow commissioners, violating procedural norms. The article calls for greater accountability, emphasizing that past mistakes cannot be erased by subsequent corrections and that the ECI has not adequately responded to credible concerns about its actions conflicting with democratic principles.
‘Are they above the Assembly?’ Why Jammu and Kashmir politicians are up in arms against bureaucrats
On September 28, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly passed a resolution demanding the restoration of statehood, a pledge made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. However, the most notable aspect of the session was Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's disclosure that two senior bureaucrats within his administration had privately urged the Speaker not to proceed with the resolution. Abdullah, who also serves as the law minister, expressed shock that the law secretary had bypassed him to advise the Speaker against the resolution, claiming the issue was pending before the Supreme Court. He criticized the situation, highlighting concerns over bureaucratic interference in governance and the erosion of democratic processes following the revocation of Jammu and Kashmir's special status in 2019.
Did not clear Form 6 change… can annul unilateral decisions: Supreme Court sends notice to Election Commission
The Supreme Court of India has sent a notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI), seeking clarification on whether changes to Form 6, used for candidate nominations, were cleared properly. A three-judge bench, led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, emphasized that any decisions made unilaterally by the ECI could be annulled. The petitioners requested the court to review the 'original and primary records' related to the matter and declare the ongoing exercise illegal if decisions were made without consensus. While the court did not issue an immediate suspension of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC), the petitioner argued that the current actions of the CEC threaten the integrity of India’s electoral system, which has functioned for 76 years. The court expressed concerns about the implications of suspending the CEC during ongoing elections but remained cautious about taking immediate action.
Supreme Court refuses to stay proceedings against Nicobar project
The Supreme Court of India refused to halt legal proceedings against the Great Nicobar Island Project, rejecting the Union government's request to pause the case. The court emphasized that preserving cultural heritage, particularly of indigenous tribes such as the Shompen, is a constitutionally protected fundamental right. Former Environment Secretary Meena Gupta challenged the project, citing concerns about its impact on the region's fragile ecosystem and the Forest Rights Act of 2006. The Union government argued that the project, valued at over ₹72,000 crore, holds significant national and strategic importance. The Supreme Court directed the Calcutta High Court to proceed with the case promptly, while noting the need to differentiate between state security and commercial interests.
Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released into wild in Rajasthan under conservation efforts
On October 4, 2026, Environment and Forest and Climate Minister Bhupender Yadav and forest officials released two male Great Indian Bustards into the wild at the Desert National Park in Rajasthan's Jaisalmer. This marks a key milestone in conservation efforts aimed at rewilding captive-bred birds. The birds were raised at facilities in Sam and Ramdevra, where 97 bustards are currently housed, including 40 from wild-laid eggs and 57 bred in captivity. Of these, 86 are used for captive breeding, and 11 are scheduled for release. The program involves collaboration between the Union Environment Ministry, Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Wildlife Institute of India. The minister credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his support of conservation initiatives.
How El Niño is causing droughts in parts of the world and floods elsewhere
The current El Niño phenomenon, characterized by unusual warming of the Pacific Ocean, is intensifying and expected to reach its peak by December. El Niño, which represents the warm phase of natural climate fluctuations, influences global weather patterns by causing droughts in certain areas while increasing the likelihood of heavy rains and flooding in others. Typically, trade winds move warm surface water toward the western Pacific, creating a significant temperature difference between the western and eastern Pacific. However, during El Niño, these winds weaken, allowing warm water to shift eastward and altering atmospheric circulation patterns. This change disrupts the usual balance, leading to varying impacts across different regions.