National Broadcasting Day is annually observed across India on 23 July to commemorate the establishment of the private radio station ‘Indian Broadcasting Company’ (IBC) in Bombay (now Mumbai, Maharashtra) in 1927.
- The day celebrates radio as the first major source of news and entertainment before Television (TV), highlighting its role in public service communication and its ongoing importance in the digital era.
- July 23, 2025 marks the 98th anniversary of IBC, later renamed as All India Radio (AIR) on 8th June 1936.
Evolution of Broadcasting in India:
i.In June 1923, the Radio Club of Bombay conducted the first-ever radio broadcast in India, marking the beginning of radio communication in the country.
ii.On 23rd July 1927, the IBC was established, initiating organised radio broadcasting in India.
iii.In 1930, the Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS) was formed by the Government of India (GoI) following the liquidation of IBC.
iv.On 8th June 1936, ISBS was renamed AIR, becoming the official state broadcaster.
v.In 1956, AIR adopted the name Akashvani, derived from Sanskrit meaning “celestial voice”.
vi.In 1957, the Vividh Bharati Service was launched to provide popular entertainment through film music and cultural programmes.
vii.In 1977, the first Frequency Modulation (FM) service in India was inaugurated from Chennai (Tamil Nadu, TN).
viii.In 1997, the Prasar Bharati (PB) was established as India’s autonomous public broadcasting agency.
ix.In 2004, Direct-to-Home (DTH) broadcasting services were launched by AIR and Doordarshan to enhance broadcast accessibility.
x.In 2015, ‘Mann Ki Baat’, a monthly radio programme by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, gained nationwide popularity on AIR.
xi.In 2024, AIR introduced Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based interactive listener services, enhancing user engagement through digital technologies.
About All India Radio (AIR):
i.AIR, officially known as Akashvani, is India’s national public radio broadcaster.
- It operates under the PB, India’s autonomous public service broadcasting agency, which also governs Doordarshan.
ii.AIR plays a vital role in public communication, development outreach, education, and entertainment across the country.
iii.It provides content in 23 languages and 146 dialects, reaching over 99% of India’s population through a network of 591 broadcasting stations. AIR’s services include AM, FM, and DTH broadcasts.
iv.It also runs the External Services Division, which broadcasts in multiple foreign languages to over 100 countries, helping connect India with the global diaspora and promoting India’s perspective internationally.
v.The motto of AIR, ‘Bahujana Hitaya, Bahujana Sukhaya’, (in Sanskrit) translates to ‘For the welfare of many, for the happiness of many’, reflecting its commitment to serve, educate, and uplift the masses through public service broadcasting.
About National Broadcasting Policy (NBP):
i.The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) introduced the National Broadcasting Policy 2024 to promote cultural diversity, digital growth, technological advancement, and inclusive access in India’s broadcasting sector.
ii.The policy was formulated based on nationwide consultations conducted by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), which culminated in a Consultation Paper outlining the sector’s future roadmap.
Government Initiatives:
i.BharatNet(2011) – Extending broadband connectivity to rural India.
Broadcast Infrastructure Network Development (BIND) – Upgrading infrastructure of PB.
ii.Community Radio Support Scheme (CRSS)(2012) – Financial aid for setting up Community Radio Stations.
iii.Digital India(2015) – Enhancing digital accessibility and public services.
iv.e-Auction of FM Channels(2015) – Under the third batch, 808 FM channels across 284 cities are being auctioned to expand radio accessibility across underserved regions.
About Prasar Bharati (PB):
Prasar Bharati (PB), India’s statutory autonomous public broadcaster comprising Doordarshan and All India Radio(AIR), was established under the Prasar Bharati Act passed in 1990 and implemented on 15 September 1997, after separating from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting(MIB).
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) – Gaurav Dwivedi
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
