Press Club of India Elects Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty as Its First Woman President

A pathbreaking development for India’s media scene, senior journalist Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty was elected as the first woman President of the Press Club of India. The declaration of results on December 14, 2025, marked a historic milestone in the annals of one of the most powerful journalist bodies of the country, and a step towards changing the trend of low gender representation in media leadership.

Key Highlights of the PCI Elections 2025

First Woman President

• Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty becomes the first woman to head the Press Club of India since its inception.
• A senior journalist with extensive experience in political and investigative reporting.

Clean Sweep Victory

• Her team won all office-bearer and managing committee positions with a 21–0 margin.
• Elections were held on December 13, 2025, with vote counting on December 14.

Newly Elected Office Bearers

• President: Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
• Vice-President: Jatin Gandhi
• Secretary General: Afzal Imam
• Joint Secretary: P. R. Sunil
• Treasurer: Aditi Rajput (elected unopposed)

Managing Committee

• Includes 16 members representing diverse media backgrounds, ensuring broad-based representation within the Club.

Who Is Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty?

• Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty is a widely respected senior journalist known for her work on politics, governance, social justice, and public policy.
• Her election as PCI President makes her the first woman to hold the post since the club’s establishment, breaking a long-standing gender barrier in one of India’s most prominent journalist associations.
• Her leadership is expected to bring renewed focus on issues such as journalists’ rights, media ethics, professional safety, and the broader challenge of safeguarding press freedom in a digital age.

What is the Press Club of India?

• Established in 1958, headquartered in New Delhi
• A professional body representing journalists and media professionals

Works to,

• Safeguard freedom of the press
• Promote ethical journalism
• Provide a forum for dialogue between the media and policymakers

Why is This Election Significant?

Gender Representation in Media Leadership

• Breaks a long-standing glass ceiling in media institutions
• Reinforces the need for greater women’s representation in editorial and leadership roles

Strengthening Press Institutions

• Democratic election with overwhelming mandate enhances institutional legitimacy
• Signals unity within the journalistic community amid growing challenges to press freedom

Symbolic Value for Press Freedom

• Comes at a time of increased debates on media independence, censorship, and journalist safety
• Reinforces the role of professional bodies in protecting democratic values