It can be called the return of the prodigals. Three senior editorial professionals — Panini Anand, Mayank Kumar Mishra and Bharat Srivastava — have returned to the India Today Group, after having quit to join the Adani group-controlled NDTV.

Veteran journalist Anand has rejoined India Today as Managing Editor, Special Projects, marking a return to familiar ground after having served with the group from 2017 to 2023. Until November 2024, Anand was associated with TV9 Digital as Group Editor (HSM).

Mishra, who had joined NDTV only recently, is back with the ITG as Senior Editor in the Data Intelligence Unit (DIU). Meanwhile, Srivastava, who had signed on with NDTV India around 20 days ago as Executive Producer, has now moved back to Aaj Tak as Deputy Executive Producer.

While none of the journalists have publicly commented on the transitions, industry watchers see the return as a sign of confidence in India Today’s editorial ecosystem

It would be pertinent to mention here that earlier in the year two senior journalists in the ITG leadership team — Rahul Kanwal and Shiv Aroor — had quit and joined NDTV.

NDTV had recently announced that Kanwal has formally taken charge as its new Chief Executive Officer and Editor-in-Chief. In this dual role, he will manage the entire business and editorial operations of NDTV.

Aroor, who had joined NDTV from ITG before Kanwal’s arrival, acts as Managing Editor at NDTV. He also serves as a Senior Anchor for NDTV 24×7 Tv channel having joined NDTV in April 2025 after spending nearly 18 years at India Today Group.