The 2026 edition of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Awards recognised some of India’s most impactful and courageous reporting, highlighting the media’s role in strengthening democracy.
A total of 25 awards were presented across 18 categories, spanning print, digital, broadcast and regional language journalism. The winning stories covered a wide range of issues, including investigations into crime networks, environmental challenges, governance lapses and social concerns. Many entries stood out for their strong field reporting and public-interest focus.
Among the key winners were journalists recognised for reporting on disaster recovery efforts, exposing illegal activities such as land deals and trafficking networks, and documenting emerging social trends. Awards were also given for excellence in political reporting, investigative journalism, feature writing, sports journalism, and regional language reporting.
The ceremony, held in New Delhi, was attended by Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, who praised journalists for their fearless pursuit of truth. He stressed the need for a responsible and nation-centric media narrative while upholding independence and accountability.
The jury noted the high quality and diversity of entries this year, with several stories addressing complex topics such as cyber safety, public health and environmental sustainability. They also highlighted the growing contribution of young journalists bringing fresh perspectives to the profession.
