In a proud moment for Indian journalism, Navika Kumar, Group Editor-in-Chief of Times Now and Times Now Navbharat, was conferred with the Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman 2025, one of the country’s most prestigious civilian accolades.

The award, presented by Meghashrey Foundation, celebrates her fearless pursuit of truth, relentless political reportage, and her substantial impact on shaping public discourse, a press release from Times Network stated.

Kumar, known for her incisive interviews, bold debates, and commanding newsroom presence, has emerged as one of the most influential voices in Indian media. Her dedication to maintaining journalistic integrity while navigating the fast-evolving digital media landscape has earned her widespread respect and trust.

“Journalism is not just about asking questions—it’s about holding power accountable, fearlessly and fairly,” Kumar has often said in her public addresses, a principle she continues to uphold in her work.

The Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman honours individuals who have contributed exceptionally to Indian society across domains such as science, medicine, education, art, public policy, and social work. This year’s awards ceremony was held at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai, and attended by Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Maharashtra’s Cabinet Minister for Culture Ashish Shelar.

Navika shared the honour with a glittering array of national icons and Padma awardees, including:

# Padma Vibhushan Dr. Anil Kakodkar – Nuclear scientist and former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission

# Padma Bhushan Vijay Bhatkar – Father of India’s first supercomputer, PARAM

# Padma Shri Dr. Shankar Mahadevan – Celebrated composer and vocalist

# Padma Shri Kumar Sanu – Legendary playback singer

# Padma Shri Raveena Tandon – Acclaimed actor and philanthropist

#Imtiaz Ali – Award-winning filmmaker known for stories that blend realism with romance

#Luke Coutinho – Renowned integrative lifestyle medicine expert

Each of these changemakers has played a vital role in shaping India’s cultural, scientific, or social identity—underscoring the diverse achievements honoured under the Sarvottam Nagrik Sanman banner.

With decades of experience in political journalism, Navika has been at the forefront of major political developments—from elections and policy changes to exposing scams and corruption. Her ability to decode complex issues with clarity and assertiveness has not only elevated Times Now‘s credibility but has also influenced how Indians consume political news.

As the digital era transforms journalism, Kumar has led from the front, successfully navigating legacy media into the multiverse of online platforms, mobile storytelling, and multilingual coverage, ensuring that Times Now Navbharat reaches millions of viewers in regional languages.

The award recognises not just her editorial achievements but also her vision in redefining what Indian newsrooms can accomplish in a democratic society.