Naghma Sahar is a prominent Indian journalist, anchor, and media personality with a distinguished career spanning over two decades. She currently serves as the Senior Consulting Editor at NDTV India, the Hindi news channel of the NDTV network. In addition to her role in broadcast journalism, she is a Senior Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a leading Indian think tank. In this capacity, she focuses on India’s complex geopolitical neighbourhood, with a particular emphasis on relations with Pakistan and China.
Sahar’s journey in television journalism began in 1999 with Aaj Tak, where she worked as a reporter. In 2003, she joined NDTV India and has since become one of its most recognizable faces, holding various key positions including Senior Editor and Anchor. Her proficiency in English, Hindi, and Urdu has been a significant asset, allowing her to report and anchor with fluency across multiple linguistic platforms. Her journalistic work is complemented by a strong academic foundation; she holds a Master of Philosophy from the prestigious Delhi School of Economics at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). During her time at JNU, she was a University Grants Commission (UGC) Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) scholar, specializing in rural development.
Throughout her career, Naghma Sahar has cultivated a reputation for a calm, insightful, and non-sensationalist approach to journalism. This has made her a sought-after moderator for high-profile discussions on critical national and international issues. She has led panels on diverse topics, including net-zero carbon transitions, regional cooperation within the SAARC, and the engagement of Gulf powers with Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. Her expertise has also been recognized through invitations to speak at TEDx events and contribute to discussions on topics beyond geopolitics, such as real estate excellence in the UAE.
As a Senior Fellow at ORF, Sahar contributes through analytical writing. A notable publication is the article “COVID-19 and Indian Muslims,” which she co-authored with Rasheed Kidwai, examining the multifaceted impact of the pandemic on the Muslim community in India. While no full-length books authored solely by her are documented, her journalistic articles are regularly featured on NDTV’s digital platforms.
Born on August 18, 1973, in Patna, Bihar, Naghma Sahar was raised in a traditional Muslim family. She is married to Rajeev Srivastava, and they have a daughter named Ira Tazeen.