NEW DELHI: K. Satish Nambudiripad, a 1991 batch officer of the Indian Information Service, is expected to be appointed Director General of Doordarshan through promotion/deputation. Sources indicate that he will likely assume his new role within the next three days, marking another significant milestone in his distinguished 30-year career in public broadcasting and government communication.
Prasar Bharati, India’s public service broadcaster, had recently announced vacancies for the Director General positions for both Akashvani and Doordarshan. These roles, which include promotion, deputation, or short-term contract appointments, aim to bring experienced leadership to these critical broadcasting institutions. The selected candidates will serve a three-year tenure, which may be extended to a maximum of five years, per Prasar Bharati’s guidelines. The roles fall under Level-16 of the 7th Pay Commission, with a salary range between ₹2,05,400 and ₹2,24,400 per month.
A Distinguished Career in Public Service
K. Satish Nambudiripad’s appointment comes after his tenure as Director General, Northeast Zone, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, starting on January 29, 2024. In that role, he led the Press Information Bureau and Central Bureau of Communication for the Ashtalakshmi states.
Previously, he held the position of Additional Director General at the Central Bureau of Communication headquarters. He has also served in senior leadership roles at the Electronic Media Monitoring Centre and the New Media Wing—two vital arms of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. Additionally, Nambudiripad was ADG (Administration & Training) at the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), a prestigious journalism and training institution for Indian Information Service officers.
His career also includes roles as Additional Director General at Prasar Bharati, Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Food & Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, and Director (Secondary Education) & Registrar of Copyrights India at the Ministry of Human Resource Development (2006-2009).
Between 1998 and 2002, Nambudiripad served as Deputy Press Secretary to the late President of India, Dr. K.R. Narayanan. From 2002 to 2005, he was the first Chief Executive Officer of the NORKA Department (Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs) in Kerala. During this time, he played a pivotal role in establishing NORKA-ROOTS, the department’s implementing agency, and developing welfare schemes for non-resident Keralites.
Educational and Professional Expertise
K. Satish Nambudiripad holds a postgraduate degree in English language and literature and a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from IIMC, Delhi. He also earned a Master’s in Public Policy from the Indian School of Business (ISB) in Hyderabad/Mohali.
He has received advanced training in public policy, communication governance, performance management, and public-private partnerships from institutions like the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Delhi, IIM Bangalore, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) Mussoorie, the University of East Anglia (UK), and the University of California, Berkeley.
With this wealth of experience and leadership acumen, Nambudiripad’s appointment as Director General of Doordarshan is expected to further strengthen the broadcaster’s mission to serve as a vital platform for public service communication in India.
