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Ravish Kumar Biography: Age, Career, Family and More

F4U Editorial Desk • Updated September 14, 2026 • 6 min read

Quick Info

Date of birth5 December 1974

Age50 Years

BirthplaceJitvarpur village in Motihari, Bihar

ProfessionJournalist, TV Anchor, Author

NationalityIndian

Marital statusMarried

SpouseNayana Dasgupta

FamilyFather - Baliram Pandey; Brother - Brajesh Kumar Pandey

Ravish Kumar Biography

Ravish Kumar is an Indian Hindi journalist, TV anchor and author known for his long tenure at NDTV India, award-winning reporting that focuses on ordinary,

Early life and background

Ravish Kumar Pandey was born on 5 December 1974 in Jitvarpur village, Motihari, in Bihar. He grew up in a modest family and completed his schooling at Loyola High School in Patna before moving to Delhi for higher studies. At Deshbandhu College, University of Delhi, he read history and went on to earn an MA and later an M.Phil. from Delhi University. He also holds a post-graduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication.

While at university, Ravish found mentorship in lecturers who shaped his outlook. He met his future wife, Nayana Dasgupta, during his M.Phil studies. The couple dated for several years and later married despite family objections related to community background.

Career

Ravish began his journalism career after completing his formal training at IIMC. He joined NDTV India in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become Senior Executive Editor. Over more than two decades at the channel, he became known for programmes such as Ravish Ki Report, Hum Log and his Prime Time monologues, through which he highlighted everyday lives and issues that often receive little mainstream attention.

His reporting has been marked by a focus on ordinary people and overlooked urban stories; the first Ravish Ki Report covered life in Paharganj. He created and popularised short-form fiction he calls "Laprek" (Laghu Prem Katha), collecting some of those pieces in the book Ishq Mein Sheher Hona, and has also authored The Free Voice – On Democracy, Culture, and The Nation. He maintained a blog where he posted satirical and opinion pieces.

Ravish remained with NDTV until 30 November 2022, when he resigned from his role as Senior Executive Editor a day after the channel’s founding directors stepped down from the promoter company.

Awards and recognition

Ravish Kumar has received multiple honours for his journalism and writing. Early recognition included the Ganesh Sankar Vidyarthi Award in 2010. He was named the Ramnath Goenka Journalist of the Year in 2013 and received the Indian News Television Award for best Hindi news anchor in 2014. In 2016 he featured on a list of influential Indians and was named journalist of the year by the Mumbai Press Club. He received the inaugural Kuldip Nayar journalism award in 2017.

Internationally, Ravish was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2019, recognising his contribution to giving voice to the voiceless. That same year he received the Gauri Lankesh National Journalism Award. A documentary chronicling his career, titled Namaskar! Main Ravish Kumar in Hindi and While We Watched in English, won the Amplify Voices Award at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022.

Public profile

Ravish is known for a plainspoken style and for urging viewers to be sceptical of biased television reporting. His work has attracted both public admiration and controversy. He has reported receiving threats and abusive messages, and has publicly discussed the pressures of online trolling. His brother, Brajesh Kumar Pandey, is active in Bihar politics as a member of the Indian National Congress.

Personal life

Ravish is married to Nayana Dasgupta, who worked as a history teacher. The couple have two daughters. He comes from a Hindu family that identifies with the Bhumihar Brahmin caste. His parents include his father, Baliram Pandey. Ravish lists reading, writing and listening to old Hindi songs among his pastimes.

Latest updates

In late 2022 Ravish resigned from NDTV after a long tenure at the channel. Earlier that year, the documentary about his work won an award at TIFF. His reporting and books continue to shape his public profile as a prominent voice in Hindi journalism.
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Recent Work

Namaskar! Main Ravish Kumar / While We Watched (documentary subject)

A feature-length documentary chronicling Ravish Kumar's journey as a journalist; the film won the Amplify Voices Award at TIFF 2022.

2022
Ishq Mein Sheher Hona

A collection of short fiction pieces (Laprek) by Ravish Kumar.

The Free Voice – On Democracy, Culture, and The Nation

A non-fiction book by Ravish Kumar discussing democracy, culture and national issues.

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Career Highlights

  1. Joined NDTV India in 1996 and served as Senior Executive Editor
  2. Hosted Ravish Ki Report, Hum Log and Prime Time on NDTV India
  3. Recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2019)
  4. Winner of the Ramnath Goenka Journalist of the Year (2013) and other national journalism honours
  5. Subject of an award-winning documentary at TIFF 2022
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Frequently Asked Questions

When was Ravish Kumar born?

5 December 1974

What is Ravish Kumar known for?

Journalist, TV Anchor, Author

What is Ravish Kumar’s marital status?

Married

Who is Ravish Kumar married to?

Nayana Dasgupta