National Broadcasting Day 2025: Celebrating India’s Radio Legacy and Milestones

National Broadcasting Day, observed on July 23 every year, commemorates the start of organised radio broadcasting in India with the formation of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) in 1927. It celebrates the role of All India Radio (AIR) in shaping public communication, education, and national integration over nearly a century. From Akashvani to modern digital broadcasting, India’s radio journey has seen transformative milestones.

The Origin of National Broadcasting Day

National Broadcasting Day is celebrated annually on July 23 to mark the establishment of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) in 1927, which began India’s formal radio services. Before IBC, the first ever radio transmission in India took place in June 1923 by the Radio Club of Bombay.

Role of Radio in India’s Nation-Building

Radio has served as a powerful tool during and after the freedom struggle, offering mass communication to promote awareness, unity, and development. With the emergence of All India Radio (AIR) in 1936, the medium expanded rapidly. Post-independence, AIR, renamed as Akashvani in 1956, played a key role in spreading messages of literacy, agriculture, healthcare, and civic awareness to rural and urban audiences alike.

Key Milestones in India’s Broadcasting Journey

Here are some of the significant landmarks in the history of Indian broadcasting,

• 1923 – First radio broadcast by Radio Club of Bombay
• 1927 – Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) established
• 1936 – All India Radio (AIR) formally launched
• 1956 – AIR renamed to Akashvani
• 1957 – Launch of Vividh Bharati service
• 1977 – First FM service launched in Madras
• 1997 – Establishment of Prasar Bharati Corporation
• 2000–2011 – Expansion of community radio, DTH, FM Gold, and mobile app
• 2015 – PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat becomes a flagship radio program
• 2020–2024 – AI, COVID-19 awareness, youth engagement, and digital innovation through AIR

Modernisation and Digital Shift

In the last decade, AIR has adapted to new-age platforms by launching a mobile app, YouTube channel, and voice services on Amazon Alexa. It introduced AI-based listener services in 2024, strengthening its reach to over 98% of India’s population, offering content in 23 languages and 146 dialects.

Prasar Bharati and Policy Reforms

The creation of Prasar Bharati Corporation in 1997 marked a major shift, giving autonomy to public broadcasters like AIR and Doordarshan. This reform promoted editorial independence, modernization, and better public service delivery.

Why National Broadcasting Day Matters

This day is not just about radio—it is about the evolution of mass communication in India. It reminds citizens of the role public broadcasting has played in information dissemination, cultural preservation, and democratic participation across generations.