Udbhav National Journalism Award
To honour and facilitate journalists who have played a continuing and transformative role in society and the nation, Udbhav launched the National Journalism Award. This initiative recognizes excellence, integrity, and public service in both print and electronic media, while also encouraging young journalists and media students to pursue ethical and impactful journalism.
The award festival is an annual event that brings together media professionals, policymakers, and thought leaders to deliberate on the evolving responsibilities of journalism in a rapidly changing world.
Inception & First Festival
The 1st National Journalism Award Festival was held in Bhopal on 19th January 2020. The event marked the beginning of a sustained effort by Udbhav to create a dedicated platform for recognizing the contributions of journalists across India.
• Chief Guest:
Former Union Minister Mr. Jyotiraditya Scindia presided over the ceremony as Chief Guest, highlighting the vital role of media in nation-building and democratic accountability.
• Presiding Officer:
The festival was presided by Mr. P.C. Sharma, Minister of Public Relations, Government of Madhya Pradesh, who underscored the importance of collaborative efforts between the government and media for public welfare and transparent communication.
The inaugural festival set a strong precedent for future editions, with a focus on quality journalism, ethical practices, and regional representation.
1st National Journalism Award Recipients (2020)
National Journalism Award
(New Delhi) – ABP News Recipient of the 1st Udbhav National Journalism Award for Electronic Media.
State Awards – Madhya Pradesh
Print Media
Times of India, Bhopal
Electronic Media
ABP, Bhopal
Regional Awards
The following journalists were honored with Regional Awards for their outstanding contributions
Print Media
Objectives of the Award
The Udbhav National Journalism Award is driven by several core objectives:
• Recognize Excellence:To acknowledge journalists who have demonstrated high standards of accuracy, fairness, and public service in their reporting.
• Promote Ethical Journalism:
To encourage integrity, accountability, and responsible storytelling in an era of rapid digital transformation.
• Support Regional Voices:
To highlight the contributions of journalists from smaller cities and regions, ensuring that community-level issues receive national attention.
• Facilitate Dialogue:
To create a platform where journalists, policymakers, and citizens can engage on critical issues affecting society and democracy.
• Inspire Future Generations:
To motivate young journalists and media students to pursue careers in print, electronic, and digital media with a strong ethical foundation.
2nd Udbhav National Journalism Award – 2021
The 2nd Udbhav National Journalism Award was convened to recognize outstanding contributions to journalism at the national, state, regional, and district levels. The award continues Udbhav’s mission of honoring journalists who uphold the values of truth, fairness, and public service while strengthening the role of media in society and nation-building.
The 2021 edition expanded the scope of recognition by introducing new categories such as District Awards and Best News Agency of the Year, in addition to the National, State, and Regional Journalism Excellence Awards.
Lifetime Achievement Award (2021)
The highest honor of the festival, the Lifetime Achievement Award for Excellent Work in Journalism, was conferred upon:
Information Commissioner of India
Mr. Mahurkar was recognized for his distinguished career spanning decades, marked by exceptional reporting, editorial leadership, and sustained contribution to the development of ethical and impactful journalism in India. His work has inspired generations of journalists and reinforced the responsibility of media as a pillar of democracy.
State Level Journalism Excellence Awards – Madhya Pradesh
Print Media
Recognized for his consistent and high-quality reporting, editorial leadership, and contribution to regional print journalism in Madhya Pradesh. Dainik Bhaskar, Gwalior
Electronic Media
Bansal News, Bhopal
Honored for excellence in electronic and digital news reporting, with a strong focus on public interest stories and responsible broadcasting
Regional Journalism Excellence Awards
The following journalists were awarded for their outstanding contributions at the regional level:
District Awards in Journalism Excellence (2021)
The 2021 edition introduced specialized District Awards to spotlight excellence in specific segments of reporting and public communication:
• Mr. Manish Sharma – Dainik Bhaskar
Awarded for excellent work in Health & Social Justice Reporting.
• Mr. Mahesh Gupta – Patrika
Recognized for outstanding contributions in Cultural Reporting.
• Mr. Rajesh Jaiswal – Swadesh
Honored for excellence in Photo Journalism.
• Mr. Madhu Solapurkar
Public Relations Officer, Nagar Nigam, Gwalior
Recognized for exceptional work in Public Relations and Government Communication.
These awards highlight the importance of specialized reporting areas and the role of communication professionals in bridging the gap between institutions and citizens.
Best News Agency of the Year
The Best News Agency of the Year award was introduced to recognize news organizations that have demonstrated:
• Consistent and wide-ranging coverage
• High standards of accuracy and ethics
• Strong contribution to public information and awareness
The name of the recipient agency for 2021 will be announced in the official proclamation and on this page as soon as it is finalized
Objectives of the 2nd Award
The 2nd Udbhav National Journalism Award was guided by the following objectives:
• To recognize journalists who have demonstrated excellence in specific domains such as health, culture, social justice, and photojournalism.
• To acknowledge the contributions of public relations professionals in strengthening institutional transparency and citizen engagement.
• To promote the role of news agencies as critical infrastructure for information dissemination.
• To continue building a platform where journalists from all levels—national, state, regional, and district—can be celebrated.
Legacy & Impact
Since its inception, the Udbhav National Journalism Award has:
• Recognized leading journalists across print, electronic, and digital media.
• Introduced specialized categories to encourage diverse forms of journalism.
Created a forum for dialogue between media professionals, policymakers, and civil society.
• Inspired young journalists by showcasing the impact of ethical and impactful reporting.
The 2021 edition further strengthened this legacy by expanding recognition to district-level contributors and specialized reporting areas.
For Future Editions
Udbhav invites:
• Journalists from print, electronic, and digital media to participate in the award process.
• Media Organizations to support and collaborate in recognizing excellence.
• Institutions & Sponsors to partner in sustaining and scaling the award.
• Students & Young Professionals in journalism and communication to attend the festival and engage with seasoned professionals.
Information on eligibility, application process, and timelines for upcoming editions will be available on this page and across Udbhav’s official communication channels.