In a significant development, K. Satish Nambudiripad has been appointed as the Director General (DG) of Doordarshan, India’s public service broadcaster. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades in the Indian Information Service (IIS), Nambudiripad brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
An officer from the 1991 batch of the IIS, Nambudiripad has held several key positions throughout his career:
Director General, Northeast Zone: He led the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC) for the northeastern states, focusing on enhancing government communication in the region.
- Additional Director General, Central Bureau of Communication: At the CBC headquarters, he oversaw various outreach and communication initiatives.
- Additional Director General, Electronic Media Monitoring Centre & New Media Wing: He managed two pivotal media organizations under the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in Delhi, emphasizing the monitoring and development of electronic and new media platforms.
- Additional Director General (Administration & Training), Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC): At this premier journalism institute, he was responsible for administrative functions and training programs for IIS officers.
- Additional Director General, Prasar Bharati Corporation: In this role, he contributed to the strategic operations of India’s largest public broadcasting agency.
- Private Secretary to the Union Minister for Food & Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs: He provided key administrative support and policy advice.
- Director (Secondary Education) and Registrar of Copyrights, Ministry of Human Resource Development: He played a crucial role in shaping educational policies and managing copyright regulations between 2006 and 2009.
- Officer on Special Duty (Broadcasting), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting: He was instrumental in overseeing broadcasting services and policies.
- Deputy Press Secretary to the President of India: Serving under the late President Dr. K.R. Narayanan from 1998 to 2002, he managed presidential communications and media relations.
- Chief Executive Officer, NORKA Department, Kerala: As the first CEO of the Non-Resident Keralites’ Affairs Department from 2002 to 2005, he established NORKA-ROOTS, implementing various welfare schemes for non-resident Keralites.
Nambudiripad holds a Postgraduate degree in English Language and Literature and a Postgraduate Diploma in English Journalism from IIMC, Delhi. He also completed a Master’s Program in Public Policy from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad/Mohali. His commitment to continuous learning is evident from his training in public policy, communication governance, and performance management at esteemed institutions such as the Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA) Delhi, Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration (LBSNAA) Mussoorie, University of East Anglia (UK), and the University of California, Berkeley.
As the new DG of Doordarshan, Nambudiripad is expected to leverage his extensive experience to drive innovation and modernization within the organization. His diverse background in media management, policy planning, and public administration positions him well to navigate the evolving broadcasting landscape and enhance Doordarshan’s reach and relevance in the digital age.
K. Satish Nambudiripad’s appointment as the Director General of Doordarshan marks a new chapter for the broadcaster. His rich professional background and commitment to public service are poised to steer Doordarshan towards greater heights, ensuring it continues to serve as a vital source of information and entertainment for the nation.