Anjana Om Kashyap with her daughter |
Anjana Om Kashyap is one of the most prominent faces in Hindi television journalism in India. As a senior anchor and Managing Editor (Special Projects) at Aaj Tak, she commands a large viewership and wields substantial influence in the Hindi news media space. (Wikipedia) Known for her aggressive style of anchoring, her debates and coverage often spark both praise and criticism.
Early Life, Education & Background
Birth, Family, and Roots
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Anjana Om Kashyap was born on 12 June 1975 in Ranchi, which at the time was part of Bihar (now in Jharkhand). (Celebrity Astro Databank)
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Her father, Om Prakash Tiwari, served in the Indian Army on a short-service-commission and is said to have participated during the Bangladesh War of Liberation. (Wikipedia)
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She hails from a middle-class background, with a disciplined upbringing. (Wikipedia)
Schooling & Early Traits
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She attended Loreto Convent in Ranchi, followed by Delhi Public School, Ranchi. (Wikipedia)
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Even in school days, she showed leadership qualities: she was made head-girl at her schools, and later became president of her college hostel. (Wikipedia)
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Academically, she pursued Honours in Botany at the University of Delhi. (Wikipedia)
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After that, she did her postgraduate studies in Social Work at Delhi School of Social Work, which she credits for introducing her to public activism and ground-level exposure. (Wikipedia)
It is also noted that she had once attempted to get into medicine (APM/medical test) but did not succeed in clearing it. (Wikipedia)
Transition to Journalism: Early Career Steps
First Jobs & Shift to Media
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Her first employment was as a counsellor at Daewoo Motors, but she resigned after about a year. (Wikipedia)
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Then she worked for an NGO in the role of a legal counsellor. (Wikipedia)
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Seeking a more direct engagement, she turned to journalism. To that end, she enrolled in a diploma in journalism from Jamia Millia Islamia (New Delhi). (Wikipedia)
Doordarshan & “Aankhon Dekhi”
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After her journalism training, she joined Doordarshan and was assigned to the newsdesk of Aankhon Dekhi, an investigative program. (Wikipedia)
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At Doordarshan, she also handled reporting duties on occasion but was mostly behind the scenes initially. (Wikipedia)
Rise Through Hindi News Networks
At Zee News
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After a stint at Doordarshan, she moved to Zee News. (Wikipedia)
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At Zee, she initially worked in production roles and was judged as lacking speaking finesse or anchor-ready skills. (Wikipedia)
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Gradually, she passed internal auditions and was given anchoring opportunities for special features and prime-time news. (Wikipedia)
Breakthrough at News 24
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In 2007, she moved to News 24, where she was assigned a more visible role, anchoring an evening debate show. (Wikipedia)
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One of her well-known shows during that period was “Do Tuk” — a one-hour debate format that gained traction. (MyNation)
Brief Stint & Move to Aaj Tak
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She briefly joined Star News, but the channel shut down operations some months later. (Wikipedia)
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Around late 2012, she moved to Aaj Tak, along with her former boss Supriya Prasad from News 24. (Wikipedia)
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At Aaj Tak, she climbed ranks and now holds the position of Managing Editor (Special Projects) / Senior Executive Editor.
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She also anchors high-profile debate shows and special formats on Aaj Tak. (Exchange4Media)
Style, Positioning & Public Persona
Anjana Om Kashyap’s on-screen style is marked by:
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Aggressive, incisive questioning
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A debate-intensive format
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Willingness to engage with powerful figures (politicians, bureaucrats)
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Strong sense of conviction and confidence
She is often seen pushing guests, asking sharp follow-ups, and moving away from passive anchoring. Many viewers see her as a forceful voice in Hindi television news. (Exchange4Media)
In commentary and critique circles, she is sometimes associated with advocacy of nationalist viewpoints, and critics have accused her of slanted coverage favoring the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or pro-establishment stances. (The CEO Magazine)
Major News Coverage & Highlights
Some of her prominent work includes:
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Delhi gang rape coverage: In coverage of the 2012 Delhi gang rape, Anjana was part of the team that brought intense national focus to issues of women’s safety, especially in night-time mobility. (Exchange4Media)
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Lok Sabha & State Elections: She has covered multiple election cycles, often hosting special panels, debates, and interviews with major political personalities including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. (Exchange4Media)
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Regional & crisis reporting: She has anchored coverage of critical events such as natural disasters, communal clashes, and administrative failures, leveraging her experience in field reporting. (Exchange4Media)
One example: during the Bihar encephalitis outbreak (2019), she famously entered a neonatal ICU and confronted pediatric doctors about the crisis. This moved headlines but also generated backlash (discussed below). (The CEO Magazine)
Controversies, Criticism & Legal Issues
Because she operates in polarizing debates and critical public issues, Anjana Om Kashyap has seen multiple controversies. Below are some key ones:
1. ICU Intrusion during Bihar Encephalitis (2019)
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During coverage of a viral encephalitis outbreak in Bihar, Anjana entered the neonatal ICU and publicly confronted a pediatrician on camera, asking why children were dying. (The CEO Magazine)
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The Indian Medical Association (IMA) protested, contending that such intrusion endangered patient privacy and hospital protocols. (The CEO Magazine)
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Some critics accused her of sensationalizing tragedy for viewership, turning human suffering into spectacle. (The CEO Magazine)
2. Allegations of Biased and Party-Friendly Reporting
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Journalistic critics and left-leaning publications have accused her of promoting Hindutva narratives, using selective framing and language favorable to the ruling party. (The CEO Magazine)
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The magazine The Caravan has specifically critiqued her reportage style and editorial tilt. (The CEO Magazine)
3. Defamation / Ridicule from Media Outlets
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In 2022, media portal Newslaundry ran a parody video mocking her show Halla Bol, calling it “Dalla Bol” (a derogatory pun). She was criticized by some for how she handled the representation and for not responding more forcefully. (OpIndia)
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The mocking episode was widely shared and stirred debate on journalistic ethics and counter-satire. (OpIndia)
4. Legal / Complaint in Lucknow (2025)
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In 2025, a Lucknow judicial magistrate ordered registration of a complaint against Anjana over an episode of her show Black & White aired on 14 August 2025 entitled “à¤ारत विà¤ाजन का मकसद पूरा क्यों नहीं हुआ?” (“Why was the purpose of India’s partition not fulfilled?”). The complainant alleged the show misrepresented history and fanned communal animosity.
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The case invokes provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) under sections such as “promoting enmity between groups” and “acts against national integration.” The order came after initial police reluctance to lodge an FIR.
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The complaint centers on statistical claims and narrative framing about migration during Partition, contending they were inflammatory or misleading.
5. Deepfake & Misuse of Her Image
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In early 2024, she became a victim of a deepfake video where her likeness was used in a deceptive health product advertisement.
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The platform Women Press Freedom raised the alarm, noting that misuse of digital media threatens reputation and public trust.
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The Delhi High Court ordered Google to remove the content and reveal details of the accused.
Reception, Awards & Public Impact
Mixed Reception
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Among her supporters and viewers, Anjana is seen as a strong female voice, breaking the male-dominated space of debate-heavy anchors in Hindi media. (Exchange4Media)
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Many admire her fearlessness, directness, and willingness to challenge establishment figures. (Exchange4Media)
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However, critics argue that her anchoring sometimes crosses into sensationalism, and that she gives insufficient space to nuance or dissenting voices. (The CEO Magazine)
Awards & Recognition
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She has been recognized in media-industry forums for her anchoring style. (Specific awards, such as ITA or other journalism awards, are mentioned in some profiles) (MyNation)
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Media outlet Exchange4Media calls her journey “unparalleled in Hindi journalism,” highlighting her influence. (Exchange4Media)
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Her coverage and interviews with top political leaders give her high visibility and credibility in news circuits. (Exchange4Media)
Influence & Digital Reach
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As Managing Editor (Special Projects), she shapes editorial direction in addition to on-air anchoring.
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Her social media presence (on platforms like X / Twitter, YouTube, Instagram) adds another dimension to her reach.
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She is often cited in media-tracking services and analysis of TV news debates
Personal Life & Family
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She is married to Mangesh Kashyap, who is an IPS officer (Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands cadre). (The CEO Magazine)
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The couple met during their time at Delhi University. (The CEO Magazine)
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They have two children — a son and a daughter. (Wikipedia)
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At times, media speculation has linked her husband’s career moves (for example, when he was appointed as Chief Vigilance Officer in South Delhi Municipal Corporation) with her influence.
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In interviews, she has spoken about managing work-life balance, though she generally maintains privacy regarding children’s identities and personal routines.
Salary, Net Worth & Critiques on Transparency
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Some media sites estimate her annual salary as approximately ₹4 crore (40 million INR) as of 2025, and her net worth at around ₹50 crore.
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Such financial estimates are sometimes contested (as they come from speculative sources), and there is no verifiable public disclosure from her employer.
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Critics argue that such high pay for news anchors can influence editorial freedom, but supporters say it is commensurate with her reach and influence.
Challenges & Ethical Questions
Operating in contemporary Indian media comes with intrinsic tension between speed, sensationalism, ratings, and journalistic integrity. Some of the key challenges around Anjana’s career include:
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Balancing aggression & fairness – Her style sometimes leaves less room for measured nuance.
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Avoiding echo chambers – Given her political perception, ensuring diversity in guest voices is critical.
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Public scrutiny of mistakes – In high-stakes debates, any slip (statistical error, misquote, tone) can be amplified.
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Navigating regulatory / legal pressure – Complaints, defamation suits, and state scrutiny are risks for high-profile anchors.
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Digital misinformation – The deepfake case shows how modern technology can be weaponized against journalists.
Despite these, Anjana continues to command attention and influence public debate in India’s Hindi-speaking heartlands.
Top Interesting Facts
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Debater from the start — In college, she was known as a strong debater, which arguably shaped her orientation toward debate-based journalism. (Wikipedia)
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Attempted medicine, ended up in journalism — Her early ambition was a medical career, but after failing the entrance exam, she pivoted to social work and later media. (Wikipedia)
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From behind-the-scenes to prime anchor — She started in production roles at Zee before successfully auditioning for anchoring slots. (Wikipedia)
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“Do Tuk” fame — Her debate show Do Tuk on News 24 gave her early mass visibility. (MyNation)
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High-stakes interviews — Over her career, she has interviewed top political leaders including Narendra Modi, making her a recognized name in political journalism. (Exchange4Media)
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Victim of deepfake misuse — Her image was used without consent in a fabricated advertisement, highlighting digital-age threats to journalists. (BollywoodShaadis)
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Strong social media presence — Beyond TV, she maintains active profiles, influencing public narrative and debate. (Muck Rack)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is Anjana Om Kashyap’s date of birth?
A: She was born on 12 June 1975. (Celebrity Astro Databank)
Q2: Where is she from?
A: She hails from Ranchi, in the then Bihar (now Jharkhand), India. (Wikipedia)
Q3: Which media outlets has she worked for?
A: She has worked at Doordarshan (Aankhon Dekhi), Zee News, News 24, Star News, and currently Aaj Tak. (Wikipedia)
Q4: What is her current position?
A: She is now Managing Editor (Special Projects) / Senior Executive Editor at Aaj Tak. (Muck Rack)
Q5: How many children does she have?
A: She has two children — a son and a daughter. (Wikipedia)
Q6: What controversies has she faced?
A: Key controversies include the ICU intrusion during the Bihar encephalitis crisis (2019), accusations of biased news coverage, parody/defamation by media outlets, and a legal complaint related to a 2025 episode on Indian Partition. (See the “Controversies” section above.)
Q7: What is her approximate salary/net worth?
A: Media estimates place her annual earnings at ₹4 crore and net worth around ₹50 crore (though these figures are speculative and not officially confirmed). (CollegeSearch)
Q8: Has she received any journalism awards?
A: While various media profiles mention awards and industry recognition, a definitive list with verified major journalism awards is not universally documented in public sources.
Q9: Is she active on social media?
A: Yes, she maintains active profiles (e.g. on X/Twitter, Instagram, YouTube) and often shares thoughts, interview clips, or program highlights. (Muck Rack)
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