TV news India has undergone a drastic change. There was a time when news was very formal, slow, and limited. Prannoy Roy was the one man who completely changed the system. To most, he is known as the co-founder of NDTV, one of the most reputed news networks in India.
The life of Prannoy is not only about television. It is also about ideas, education, honesty, and the bravery to venture into something new. From being a teacher of economics to becoming a media trailblazer, his life is an example of how education combined with vision can transform an entire industry.
Prannoy Roy was born on 15 October 1949 in Kolkata, West Bengal. He grew up in a Bengali family milieu where education and thinking heavily were valued. From a young age, he presented interest in wisdom, numbers, and comprehension how societies work. He lived his early days at his home town and that is how his quiet personality and straightforward thinking aspect has been formed. This turned out to be valuable qualities in his career as a news leader.
Prannoy Roy Age
Prannoy Roy age is 76 years old. Even after step aside from daily television work, his command on Indian news media is still widely felt and discussed. In 2026, he is going to celebrate his 77th birthday on 15th October.
Prannoy Roy Education
Education was a very significant aspect in the life of Prannoy. He studied The Doon School and La Martiniere Calcutta which are considered to be among the most reputable schools in India. He later went to Queen Mary College, the University of London where he studied Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE).
In this year seventeen seventy five, he was given a degree in 1973 and a fellowship at the institute of chartered accountants in England and Wales. In 1978, he pursued his doctorate in Economics in the Delhi School of Economics. This good education background assisted him in processing information, politics as well as social issues in a clear manner. His education later shaped the analytical style of NDTV’s news reporting.
Prannoy began his professional life not in television but in consultancy. He worked as a consultant at Price Waterhouse in India from 1979 to 1983. It is also at this time that he engaged in advisory work and had an intense interest in simplifying the complex economic analysis and policy concepts.
Prannoy had a significant vacuum in the Indian television in the late 1980s and early 1990s. News was not clarified and information was seldom utilized to back stories. He decided to change that. He co-founded NDTV (New Delhi Television) along with his wife Radhika Roy. At first, NDTV produced news programs for India’s national broadcaster. Later, it became a full-fledged private news network.
Career
Description
Consultant
At Price Waterhouse in India from 1979 to 1983
Shift to Broadcasting
Collaborated with Doordarshan in the mid-1980s
Co-hosted the Lok Sabha Election
In 1984, he co-hosted the election analysis and explained voting patterns
Hosted Weekly Program
The World This Week, which was telecast on Doordarshan in late 1984
Co-founded NDTV
In 1988, Prannoy and his wife Radhika co-founded NDTV as an independent production house
Partnership with Star TV
Programming partnership under which NDTV produced and managed content for Star News
Launched NDTV 24×7 and NDTV India
Both the channels were launched on 15 April 2003
Prannoy Roy Challenges
The media industry is always subject to challenges. Prannoy, in his time, was under financial strain when he was expanding, apart from dealing with the strong competition of other news channels, legal and regulatory issues, and a changing political and media environment. He tried to keep NDTV focused on responsible journalism in spite of these tensions. Over time, ownership and leadership changes took place, and he stepped back from active management.
Prannoy Roy Family
Prannoy Roy is married to Radhika Roy, who is also a journalist and media professional. Together, they built NDTV from the ground up. They have only one child, Tara Roy. She is a journalist by profession, like her parents, and is usually mentioned with her family members and relatives. Other than that, Prannoy did not share much about her, and he kept his family life private. He believes personal life should stay away from public attention.
Prannoy’s main investments were focused on media and broadcasting, television infrastructure, news production systems, journalism talent, and training. He believed more in long-term value and trust rather than quick profit. His investment decisions reflected patience and careful planning.
Prannoy Roy Awards and Achievements
Over the years, Prannoy received recognition for his contribution to journalism and media. His biggest achievement is building one of India’s most respected news brands and changing how news is presented on television.
Awards and Achievements
Description
Redlnk Lifetime Achievement Award
Awarded by the Mumbai Press Club for excellence in journalism in 2015.
Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award
Awarded by Lal Bahadur Shastri Instittute of Management for excellence in public administration, academics, and management in 2016.
Co-authored
The Verdict: Decoding India’s Elections with Dorab R. Sopariwala. The book was published by Penguin Random House India on 14 March, 2019.
Co-founder of NDTV
Built one of India’s leading news networks
Prannoy Roy Net Worth
There is no officially confirmed figure for Prannoy Roy net worth. His greatest source of cash has been his decades of experience in media and his interest in NDTV over the years. He is known more so by his contribution to journalism and his influence on people in their discussion rather than being linked to a golden coin.
Prannoy Roy Social Media Presence
Prannoy is not a regular user of any social media platform. He likes to get his messages through the traditional media, interviews, and the print work rather than the online stuff.
Prannoy Roy Interesting Facts
He began his career as an economics teacher
He studied at Oxford University
NDTV started as a small production company
He changed election coverage in India
He prefers calm discussion over loud debates
FAQs
Q1. What is Prannoy Roy caste?
Ans. His caste is Bengali.
Q2. What is Prannoy Roy education background?
Ans. He studied at The Doon School, London University, and earned a PhD from the Delhi School of Economics.
Q3. What is Prannoy Roy NDTV known for?
Ans. NDTV is known for credible journalism, data-based reporting, and calm news presentation.
Q4. What is Prannoy Roy net worth?
Ans. His exact net worth is not publicly disclosed.
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Startup India
The entrepreneurial scenario in India has changed over the last decade. The Indian government is supporting innovation through its Startup India initiative, creating employment opportunities and accelerating economic growth. In this blog, let's discuss Startup India, including its objectives, benefits, and eligibility criteria; also, know how to get a startup registered under this initiative.
What is Startups ?
A startup is the early stage of a company that is formed to develop a unique product or service, introduce it into the market, and scale it to make substantial revenues. Startups are an important part of innovation, job creation, and diversification in the economy. In India, startups play a critical role in driving technology adoption and solving complex challenges in areas such as healthcare, education, and financial inclusion.
Characteristics of a Startup
Innovation: Key concentration in developing new products, services, or processes.
Scalability: Ability to grow rapidly with low incremental costs.
Disruption: Challenge traditional business models or industries.
Importance of Startups in India
Job Creation: Startups are significant employment generators.
Economic Growth: Contribute to GDP by introducing new industries.
Technological Advancement: Drive innovation and technology adoption.
What is the Startup India Initiative?
Startup India is one of the flagship initiatives of the Government of India, launched on January 16, 2016. It aims to build a robust ecosystem that nurtures innovation and startups across the country. The idea is to give an impetus to economic growth and employment generation in a substantial way. Startup India seeks to encourage entrepreneurship by giving a boost to innovation and design, thus leading to the growth and success of the startup ecosystem.
Standup India Scheme Standup India scheme was announced on April 5, 2016, to finance new enterprises, to boost the entrepreneurship culture in India. The program ensures the availability of loans through the Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs), between ₹10 lakh and ₹1 crore to at least one member of the Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST), and at least one woman, per bank branch. The support in this new scheme is granted to businesses in the trading, services, or manufacturing sectors. This will supposedly help about 250,000 borrowers.
Key Objectives of Startup India
Making Business Easier: Simple rules, compliance, and legal steps.
Financial Help: Provide access to government funds and venture capital.
Building Skills: Offer training and mentorship programs.
Encouraging Innovation: Support research and development with grants.
Features of Startup India
Startup India Hub: This is a place where startups can connect with investors and mentors.
Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS): This is a ₹10,000 crore fund managed by the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
Tax Benefits: Eligible startups can get exemptions from income tax and capital gains tax.
Startup Recognition: Startups can receive official recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The Startup India scheme eligibility criteria
If you want to get funding through the Start-up India scheme, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements. Knowing these requirements well will help you successfully go through the application process.
Business Experience: Start-ups applying for this scheme must have been operating for more than five years.
Age Requirement: Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Company Structure: To get funds under this scheme, the company must be either a partnership or a private limited company.
Turnover Limit: The company should have an annual turnover of no more than Rs. 25 crore.
No Reconstruction: Start-ups that have emerged from the splitting or restructuring of an existing business are not eligible for this scheme. Companies that have divided an organization into two or more parts will be disqualified.
If a company is developing a new product or service, it can benefit from the Start-up India policy.
Here are the requirements:
The start-up must create, utilize, or sell a product or service that is based on new technology or intellectual property.
The focus should be on enhancing an existing product or developing a new one that adds value for customers or improves workflow.
The start-up must not engage in projects that are not unique or do not provide value to customers or enhance workflow.
To get a Startup India loan, start-ups must secure various approvals and submit specific documents:
Obtain approval from the Inter-Ministerial Board under the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP).
Acquire a recommendation from an incubator affiliated with a recognized post-graduate college.
Secure a recommendation from a government-recognized incubator.
File a patent for your product or service and have it published in the Indian Patent Office Journals.
If your services involve funding and equity, register with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Provide a funding letter from any state or central government scheme that supports innovation.
How to Register Under Startup Under Startup India Scheme?
Step 1: Start Your Business
The first step in starting your business is to choose a legal structure, such as a Private Limited Company, Partnership, or Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). You will need to complete the standard registration process, which involves submitting an application and obtaining a Certificate of Incorporation or Partnership registration.
Step 2: Register with Startup India
Once you have created your business, the next step is to register it as a startup. This process is straightforward and can be completed online. First, visit the Startup India website and click the 'Register' button. Enter your name, email address, and mobile number, then create a password and click 'Register.' You will receive a One-Time Password (OTP) in your email. Enter this OTP and provide additional information, such as your user type, business name, and the stage of your startup. Finally, click 'Submit' to create your Startup India profile. Completing this registration will help your business be recognized as a startup under the Startup India scheme, granting you access to various benefits and support.
Step 3: Obtain DPIIT Recognition
After creating your profile on the Startup India website, the next step is obtaining recognition from the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT). This recognition provides benefits such as quality intellectual property services, relaxed public procurement rules, self-certification for labour and environmental laws, simplified winding-up procedures, access to the Fund of Funds, and tax exemptions for three years.
Step 4: Submit the Documents for Registration
To complete the registration process and obtain DPIIT recognition for your startup, please submit the following documents:
1. The incorporation or registration certificate of your startup.
2. Proof of funding, if applicable.
3. An authorization letter from the company's authorized representative
4. Evidence of your concept, such as a website link, pitch deck, or video (this applies to startups at the validation, early traction, or scaling stage).
5. Information regarding any patents and trademarks you hold.
6. A list of any awards or certificates of recognition you have received.
7. Your Permanent Account Number (PAN).
Step 5: Self-Certification of Eligibility Conditions
You need to confirm that your business meets the following conditions:
1. Your business must be a Private Limited Company, Limited Liability Partnership (LLP), or partnership firm.
2. Your business has been registered in India for no more than five years.
3. Your company's turnover does not exceed ₹100 crore.
4. Your company is consistently innovating or improving existing systems.
5. Your business is based on an original idea, rather than a split or reorganization of an existing business.
Step 6: Obtain Your Recognition Number
When applying for registration, you will receive your recognition number immediately. The authority will send you the certificate of registration or incorporation after reviewing your uploaded documents. Ensure that you upload accurate information to avoid errors, as mistakes can lead to fines of up to 50% of your paid-up capital or a minimum of Rs. 25,000. By fulfilling the eligibility and registration requirements, your company can participate in the Startup India scheme and enjoy various benefits provided by the government.
Wrapping Up
The Startup India initiative has revolutionized the entrepreneurial landscape in India by offering financial, regulatory, and infrastructural support. If you’re an entrepreneur with an innovative idea, registering under this program can unlock numerous opportunities for growth and success. Begin your startup journey today and contribute to India’s transformation into a global hub for innovation.
FAQ’s
Q1. What is the aim of the Startup India initiative?
Ans: Startup India aims to promote entrepreneurship, support innovation, and create a robust startup ecosystem in India.
Q2. How long does it take to register under Startup India?
Ans: The registration process typically takes 2–3 weeks, depending on document verification.
Q3. Are there any fees for registering under Startup India?
Ans: No, the registration process under the Startup India initiative is free of cost.
Q4. Can a sole proprietorship register under Startup India?
Ans: No, only Private Limited Companies, LLPs, and Partnership Firms are eligible to register.
Q5. What are the tax benefits available to startups?
Ans: Startups can avail of income tax exemptions for three consecutive years and exemptions on long-term capital gains.
Q6. Is the Startup India initiative open to foreign startups?
Ans: No, the initiative is exclusively for startups registered and operating in India.
