Rajat Sharma is a very famous Indian news anchor and journalist. On 18 February 1957 he was born in Delhi. Today, on 7 April 2026, many people still watch his news channel India TV and remember his long‑running show *Aap Ki Adalat*. His life story is full of struggle, hard work, and quiet courage. It can be very inspiring for young students and beginners in English.
Early Life And Family
Rajat Sharma was born in Sabzi Mandi, an old part of Delhi. He grew up in a simple, poor family. His house was very small, with not even proper water and electricity. He had six brothers and one sister. Life was not easy. There was not much money for food, clothes, or study.
Still, his parents taught him to be honest and to work hard. They told him that education is the only way to change his life. His father was a clerk and his mother stayed at home. Their life was very simple, but they had strong values. These values stayed with Rajat all his life.
School And College Days
Rajat studied in government schools in Delhi. He went to Sanatan Dharm Middle School in Subzi Mandi and then to Ramjas School on Pusa Road. In school, he was a serious student, not very talkative. He liked reading and writing. He also liked asking questions about politics and society.
When he was a young student, he became interested in politics. He joined protests and student movements. He even wrote for a small newspaper called *Mashaal*. This was the first time he touched real journalism. It gave him a small taste of how news can change people’s minds.
At that time, Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India. The country faced a difficult period called the “Emergency”. Many political leaders and students were arrested. In 1975, Rajat was also arrested. He spent about 11 months in Tihar Jail. This was a very tough time for a young man. But he did not lose hope. He used this time to think and read more.
Rajat Sharma Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Wife, Daughter, Family
Journalism
After coming out of jail, Rajat focused on his studies. He completed his Master of Commerce (M.Com) from Sriram College of Commerce in Delhi. Many people in his family wanted him to find a safe job in an office. But he had a different dream. He wanted to become a journalist. In the late 1970s, he got a small job. He worked as a researcher for a well‑known political writer, Janardan Thakur. His first salary was only 400 rupees per month.
The job involved reading newspapers, collecting facts, and writing notes. It was not a big job, but it was very important. He learned how to check facts and how to write clearly. After this, he joined a magazine called *Onlooker*. He started as a reporter. Slowly, he became Chief of Bureau and then Editor of the same magazine. He was only about 28 years old when he became the editor of *Onlooker*. This was very early for an editor. Many people in the field noticed his talent.
Later, he edited *Sunday Observer* and *The Daily*. These were important newspapers in India. He gained a strong reputation for honest reporting. He was not afraid to ask tough questions. He stood by the truth, even if it made some powerful people unhappy.
Started Aap Ki Adalat
In 1993, Rajat Sharma started a TV show called *Aap Ki Adalat*. The name means “Your Court”. In this show, he interviewed big public figures like politicians, film stars, sports persons, and businessmen. The format was like a courtroom. He asked direct, sharp questions. The guests had to answer openly. This style was new in Indian television. Other shows were polite and soft. *Aap Ki Adalat* was different.
Rajat did not shy away from hard questions. He did not use harsh words. But his questions were clear and deep. This made the show very popular. People waited every week to see who he would interview. Because of this show, Rajat became a household name. Children knew his face. Grandparents discussed his interviews. He became known as “the man with the tough questions”. The show ran for many years and is still remembered as one of the longest‑running reality shows in Indian TV history.
Founding India TV
After many years on other channels, Rajat took a big step in 2004. He and his wife, Ritu Dhawan, started their own news channel called *India TV*. At that time, most big news channels were owned by big companies. A small, new channel like India TV was seen as a risk. But Rajat had a clear idea. He wanted to show simple, clear news to common people. He wanted the language to be easy to understand.
He also wanted the news to be fast, fair, and not biased. In the beginning, there were doubts. Will people trust a new channel? Will it get good reporters? Slowly, India TV grew. People liked the simple style and fast coverage. Rajat himself hosted many live shows. He became both the boss and the face of the channel. Today, India TV is one of the most‑watched Hindi news channels in India. It shows politics, crime, courts, and daily life in a very clear way.
Awards
Because of his work, Rajat Sharma has received many awards. In 2015, the Government of India gave him the Padma Bhushan. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the country. It is for people who have done very special work in their field. This award was not just for his TV show or his news channel. It was for his long journey in journalism. People respect him because he stayed honest. He did not change his tone to please any party or leader. He also kept his focus on simple, clear language so that even ordinary people can understand the news.
Personal Life
Rajat Sharma is married to Ritu Dhawan. She is a former TV actress and now plays an important role in India TV as Managing Director. They have a son together. Their family life is not very public. Rajat likes to keep his private life away from cameras. He is known as a simple, soft‑spoken man. He does not wear heavy ornaments or show off. He is serious about his work but calm in his personal behavior.
He reads newspapers and researches topics before every interview. He thinks deeply about questions and often prepares them in advance. Many young journalists see him as a role model. They like his mix of courage and politeness. He proves that you can ask tough questions without shouting or fighting. His calm style has shaped a new kind of TV journalism in Hindi news.
