Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju extended congratulations to Akashvani, India's national public radio service, on Monday, June 8, 2026, as the broadcaster marked 90 years of continuous service to the nation.

Context

Akashvani, the brand name of All India Radio (AIR), was established as a government broadcasting service in 1936 and formally renamed Akashvani in 1957. Nine decades on, it remains one of the largest radio networks in the world by reach, serving listeners across urban centres, remote villages, and border regions in dozens of languages and dialects.

Rijiju's post on X, addressed to @airnewsalerts and @AkashvaniAIR, read: 'Extending best wishes to Akashvani on completing 90 Glorious Years!!' The message reflects a wider tradition among senior ministers of marking milestones of national public-service institutions.

Policy Backdrop

Akashvani operates under Prasar Bharati, the statutory autonomous body established by the Prasar Bharati Act, 1990, which also oversees Doordarshan. The Act was a landmark step in granting editorial and operational independence to India's public broadcasters, separating them from direct government control.

Over the decades, AIR has expanded from a handful of stations at independence to a network covering virtually every district in the country. Its mandate encompasses news, cultural programming, agricultural advisories, and emergency broadcasting — roles that private and digital platforms have not fully replicated in rural and remote geographies.

Stakeholders and Impact

The 90th anniversary is significant for millions of listeners — particularly in areas where terrestrial radio remains the primary or sole source of news and information. Media professionals within Prasar Bharati's workforce, numbering in the thousands, regard such institutional milestones as moments of public recognition for a service that competes in an increasingly crowded media landscape.

Successive governments have used broadcaster anniversaries to reaffirm commitment to public-service media at a time when private television channels and digital streaming platforms command growing audiences. The tribute from a senior Cabinet minister signals continued political acknowledgement of Akashvani's role in national integration and cultural programming.

What's Next

Commemorative programming and special broadcasts are customary around such milestones, though the precise schedule of 90th-anniversary events is yet to be confirmed officially. Observers will watch for any policy statements on digital expansion or funding commitments for Akashvani during upcoming 2026 parliamentary sessions, where Rijiju, as Parliamentary Affairs Minister, plays a central coordinating role.

As public radio navigates the digital transition, the anniversary offers an occasion to assess whether Prasar Bharati's legislative framework and resource base are adequate for the broadcaster to remain relevant across both traditional and emerging platforms.