Rajesh Mahapatra

Rajesh Mahapatra has been, at various points over the last 30 years, a journalist, political analyst, public policy expert, influencer and newsroom leader.

He has held key positions at leading news organisations such as the Press Trust of India, Hindustan Times and the Associated Press.

Rajesh was Editor of PTI until August 2023. Before that, he was with Hindustan Times for 11 years, where he led digital innovation and organisational change as its Executive Editor and Chief Content Officer.

Prior to HT, Rajesh worked with the Associated Press as Business Writer, South Asia. In his early years in journalism, he worked for Bridge News (formerly Knight Ridder Financial Services) and The Observer of Business and Politics.

Rajesh has a proven record in handling large organisations, possesses strong analytical skills and demonstrates appetite for risk. He is good at managing people, spotting and harnessing talent. He also has years of experience in teaching and training.

A native of Odisha, Rajesh studied at Delhi University and the Jawaharlal Nehru University. He holds an M.Phil in Economics, with specialisation in political economy and development planning.

As someone who grew up in Odisha’s outback, before moving to Delhi for higher education, Rajesh’s social background serves him well in connecting with the ‘other India’. He is conversant with several languages and has an evolved understanding of India’s social and cultural diversity.

During the pandemic, Rajesh founded the Odisha Dialogues, an Odisha-focussed research and advocacy forum. He is also the founder editor of The Secretariat (www.thesecretariat.in) that offers exclusive and well-researched policy analyses and insights.

Currently, he advises organisations on digital transformation, strategic communication, and regularly participates in public discourses on key national and international issues.