The election of Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty marks a major and historic milestone for the Press Club of India (PCI), one of the country’s most prestigious media institutions.
I. Historical Achievement
| Category | Detail | Context |
| Elected Position | President, Press Club of India (PCI) | PCI was founded in 1958, making this the first time in 67 years that a woman has been elected to the top post. |
| Elected Leader | Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty | Senior journalist, National Affairs Editor with The Wire. |
| Regional Significance | She is also the first journalist from the North East to hold the prestigious post of PCI President. | |
| Election Date | Polling: December 13, 2025; Results Declared: December 14, 2025. | The result is seen as a strong mandate for diversity and independent journalism. |
II. The New Panel & Mandate
- Result: Pisharoty secured a decisive victory, leading her panel to a clean sweep (21-0) of all office-bearer and managing committee positions.
- Winning Margin: Pisharoty secured 1,019 votes, defeating her nearest rival by a substantial margin.
- Key Office Bearers Elected:
- Secretary General: Afzal Imam
- Vice President: Jatin Gandhi
- Treasurer: Aditi Rajput (Elected unopposed)
- Joint Secretary: P. R. Sunil (Elected unopposed)
- Stated Vision: Pisharoty stated the victory reflects the members’ confidence in the panel’s commitment to upholding the values of free, fair, and responsible journalism.
III. Profile of Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty
- Current Role: National Affairs Editor and Chief of Bureau at The Wire.
- Previous Experience: Formerly a Special Correspondent with the national newspaper The Hindu.
- Breaking Barriers: She was the first woman from the North East to be employed as a journalist at the New Delhi headquarters of the news agency United News of India (UNI).
- Awards: Recipient of prestigious awards, including the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award (for feature writing in 2017) and the Parag Kumar Das Journalism Award (2024).
- Author: Authored the critically acclaimed books:
- Assam: The Accord, The Discord (2019)
- The Assamese — A Portrait of a Community (2023)
IV. Significance of the Press Club of India (PCI)
- Founding: The PCI was founded in 1958 (formally incorporated March 10, 1958).
- Location: Located at 1, Raisina Road, New Delhi, near Parliament House, making it a critical hub for journalists covering national politics.
- Role: The PCI serves as a major meeting point and advocacy platform for journalists, often taking the lead in defending press freedom and addressing challenges faced by the media fraternity in India.
This election is widely regarded as a watershed moment for gender representation and regional inclusion in one of India’s most influential media bodies.