National Broadcasting Day 2025: India’s Radio Journey, Policies And Milestones | Lifestyle News

By Pune Media On Jul 23, 2025

Last Updated:July 23, 2025, 07:20 IST

National Broadcasting Day marks the legacy of Indian radio, from IBC to Akashvani, and the evolution of broadcasting policies shaping India’s public communication landscape.

National Broadcasting Day is celebrated annually on July 23. (AI generated image)

National Broadcasting Day commemorates the evolution of the broadcasting landscape in India, highlighting the impact of broadcast services in the nation’s development and outreach since the establishment of the Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) on July 23, 1927. The IBC’s birth marks the start of organised radio broadcasting in the country, which is now celebrated as the annual National Broadcasting Day.

National Broadcasting Day 2025: History and Significance

Four years after India’s radio journey began in June 1923 with the first transmission of the Radio Club of Bombay, the Indian Broadcasting Company was launched on July 23, 1927. IBC began organised radio broadcasting in India, paving the way for the All India Radio’s emergence in 1936.

As India gained independence, the AIR expanded its wings across the country, adopting the name of ‘Akashvani’ in 1956. The AIR strongly reflects the evolution of

India’s state broadcasting services, operating across 591 stations and reaching 98% of India’s population, while offering its broadcasts in 23 languages and 146 dialects.

During India’s independence struggle, the radio services acted as an influential tool in disseminating information, raising awareness and forging unity among the citizens. After India awoke to the light of freedom, the radio broadcast helped promote literacy, health awareness and agricultural knowledge, among other necessary information.

Key Milestones In India’s Broadcasting Journey

1923 – First radio broadcast by Radio Club of Bombay
1927 – Indian Broadcasting Company (IBC) established – now celebrated as National Broadcasting Day
1930 – Commencement of Indian State Broadcasting Service (ISBS)
1936 – Indian State Broadcasting Service became All India Radio (AIR)
1939 – External Service started with Pushtu broadcast
1947 – At Independence, AIR had six radio stations in India
1956 – AIR officially renamed ‘Akashvani’
1957 – Vividh Bharati Service launched
1969 – Yuv-Vani service started from Delhi
1977 – First FM Service inaugurated from Madras
1988 – Introduction of National Channel
1997 – Prasar Bharati Corporation came into existence
2000 – Community Radio Stations commissioned in North-East India
2004 – DTH Service of AIR & Doordarshan inaugurated
2006 – Uplinking of DTH channels increased from 12 to 20
2011 – FM Gold started 24-hour service
2012 – Bangladesh recognizes Akashvani for its contribution in the Bangladesh Liberation War
2013 – AIR’s FM Rainbow celebrated its 20th anniversary
2014 – AIR launched a new mobile app for live streaming of stations
2015 – PM Modi’s Mann Ki Baat gained popularity on AIR
2016 – AIR launched AIR News 24×7, a continuous news coverage service
2017 – AIR launched a YouTube channel to reach a global audience
2018 – AIR launched service on Amazon Alexa
2019 – AIR revamped programming to include more youth-oriented content
2020 – AIR played a key role in disseminating COVID-19 information
2021–23 – Special programs on Independence Day, Republic Day, G20, etc.
2024 – AIR introduced AI-based interactive services for listeners

Source: PIB

Broadcasting Policies In India

Since its inception in the pre-independence days, the broadcasting policies in India have gone through a significant evolution, transforming from a strictly government-controlled functioning to a more liberalised and democratic framework.

The policies have undergone necessary changes, based on India’s growth in various aspects as a country. They also uphold the right to freedom of speech and expression in the Indian Constitution.

The government’s radio and television broadcasting has maintained a balance of public interest, national security and the demand for diversified content. Even today, as the landscape evolves fast through the digital age, India’s broadcasting landscape and its policies are expected to keep up with it.

Source: PIB

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