New Delhi: India Today TV has announced the appointment of Gaurav Sawant, one of Indian journalism’s most seasoned voices, as the anchor for its newly launched prime-time show, India First. Starting April 28, Sawant will take over the prestigious 8 PM slot previously occupied by Newstrack, further strengthening the network’s prime-time programming.
The move underscores India Today’s long-standing commitment to nurturing in-house talent and promoting leadership from within. Known for its vibrant and democratic newsroom culture, the network continues to trust and empower seasoned journalists ready to shape the next phase of its growth.
With over three decades of frontline reporting, Sawant brings a wealth of experience to his new role. Throughout his distinguished career, he has covered some of India’s most defining moments, including the Kargil War, the Kandahar hijack, the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, and the Pulwama, Uri, and Nagrota incidents. His international reporting assignments have taken him deep into conflict zones across Iraq, Libya, Lebanon, Egypt, Ukraine, and Israel, in addition to coverage of the London bombings in 2005.
Sawant’s fearless approach to journalism includes rare accomplishments such as reporting from Daulat Beg Oldie during the India-China Galwan standoff and completing eight para jumps with the Indian Navy — an achievement that earned him the prestigious Para Wings, a rare civilian honor.
Beyond the field, Sawant has authored Dateline Kargil: A Correspondent’s Nine-Week Account from the Battlefront and produced the Veergatha series for schoolchildren, with all proceeds directed to families of the armed forces. His decision to forgo government remuneration for these projects highlights a career marked by integrity and commitment to national service.
Now serving as Managing Editor, Sawant’s appointment to the prime-time slot marks a strategic move by India Today TV to reinforce its editorial values of credibility, clarity, and fact-based journalism. India First is positioned to deliver rigorous, ground-reported coverage, offering audiences a clear alternative in an increasingly noisy news environment.
With this leadership change, India Today TV aims to deepen its connect with viewers seeking serious, substantive journalism at prime time — a reflection of Sawant’s own professional ethos.
