The I&B Ministry accepted his resignation within 24 hours, prompting speculation of internal pressures or policy disagreements behind the sudden exit.
BY PC Bureau
New Delhi, December 4, 2025 — In a move that has stunned India’s media and bureaucratic establishment, Navneet Kumar Sehgal, Chairman of Prasar Bharati — the country’s apex public broadcaster — has stepped down less than two years into his three-year tenure. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting accepted his resignation on December 3, relieving him with immediate effect and leaving the organisation once again without a permanent leader at a time of major digital and financial challenges.
Amid speculation that he was asked to step aside, Sehgal — a retired 1988-batch IAS officer from the Uttar Pradesh cadre — submitted his resignation on December 2 without citing any reasons. Media watchers believe a seasoned bureaucrat like Sehgal would not relinquish such a cushy and influential office voluntarily unless there was pressure from the top or some sensitive issue at play.
Appointed on March 16, 2024, by a selection committee headed by then-Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, he had been tasked with steering Doordarshan and All India Radio through their most pivotal transformation yet — integrating legacy broadcasting with an increasingly competitive digital ecosystem. His tenure was scheduled to run until March 2027 or until he turned 70, leaving more than 15 months on the clock.
The ministry’s swift acceptance, under Section 7(6) of the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, has intensified speculation in bureaucratic and media circles. Insiders quoted in several reports suggest the move may not have been entirely voluntary, with talk of policy disagreements or internal pressures. “The abrupt development has set off a wave of speculation,” said one senior official, pointing to the complete lack of explanation from either Sehgal or the ministry.
Late night news break: Prasar Bharti chairman Navneet Sehgal resigns. No explanation yet as to reasons but resignation accepted with immediate effect. Interesting times in corridors of power. pic.twitter.com/vyD96bPzAD
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 3, 2025
On X (formerly Twitter), the conversation gained traction overnight. Journalist Rajdeep Sardesai posted cryptically, “Interesting times in corridors of power,” sparking theories about possible shifts within the Prime Minister’s Office. Political commentator Pramod Sharma tied the episode to “unanswered riddles” in the Modi administration — though no concrete evidence supports such claims.
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A Trusted Bureaucrat’s Journey
Sehgal’s career is widely regarded as a showcase of administrative dexterity across political regimes in Uttar Pradesh, a state known for its formidable bureaucracy. He superannuated in July 2023 as Additional Chief Secretary for Sports and Youth Welfare, bringing an end to a 35-year career marked by large-scale infrastructure pushes.
Among his most high-profile accomplishments was his leadership as Chairman and CEO of the Uttar Pradesh Expressways Industrial Development Authority (UPEIDA), where he oversaw the 302-km Agra–Lucknow Expressway. Completed in a record 22 months, the project earned him a reputation for speed and efficiency.
His proximity to former Chief Minister Mayawati once earned him the tag of her “most trusted officer,” yet he also managed to thrive under successive Samajwadi Party and BJP governments — a rare feat in the state’s politically divided bureaucracy. His appointment to Prasar Bharati in 2024, after the post had remained vacant for over four years since A. Surya Prakash’s exit in February 2020, was seen as a deliberate attempt to bring stability to the public broadcaster.
During his brief tenure, he pushed for digital modernization, including improved streaming platforms for DD News and All India Radio, and measures to counter the dominance of private media networks. But the broadcaster continued to struggle with budgetary limitations; its 2025–26 allocation stands at around ₹2,500 crore, well short of the capital needed for large-scale tech upgrades.
Implications for Public Broadcasting
Sehgal’s departure deepens leadership uncertainty at Prasar Bharati, which employs over 40,000 staff and serves millions across terrestrial, satellite, and online platforms. With the board left without a chairperson, interim arrangements — potentially led by Vice-Chairperson Manish Desai or senior officials — appear likely. But finding a long-term successor could take months, further stalling crucial reforms, including a proposed structural merger aimed at streamlining the broadcaster’s operations.
Media analysts warn that the timing could not be worse. “This comes at a moment when public broadcasting needs strong, visionary leadership to compete with OTT giants,” said one industry expert, noting Prasar Bharati’s recent experiments with AI-driven content personalization. Even biotechnology and media industry lobbies have expressed concern, pointing to rising unpredictability in regulatory environments under the current government.
As of Thursday morning, neither Sehgal nor the I&B Ministry has issued any further statements. The ministry’s terse communication — signed by Director A.M. Kumar — merely confirms the acceptance of his resignation, offering no insight into the circumstances.
In the absence of clarity, speculation continues to dominate the discourse. Was the exit prompted by personal fatigue after decades of service, or does it reflect deeper shifts within the government’s media strategy? For now, both Prasar Bharati’s leadership vacuum and the silence from official channels add to the intrigue.
