Ajay Kumar Kaul
Delhi
Summary
Journalist with over 31 years of experience in Print and TV Media, including four years as Editor-in-Chief at United News of India. Extensive background with Press Trust of India, progressing from Trainee Journalist to Editor over nearly 24 years. Proven track record in covering significant national and international events, interviewing key leaders, and producing high-quality content across various subjects. Expertise in editorial strategy, content management, and team leadership, with strong skills in communication and problem-solving.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Editor-in-Chief
United News of India
06.2021 - 06.2025
- I was the Editorial and Administrative head of the company, overseeing the operations of News Services in 3 languages – English, Hindi and Urdu – and a vibrant Photo Service.
- I provided Editorial direction and content strategy for delivery of News in the 3 language services and Photos of UNI to over 500 big and small media outlets and Government departments which have subscribed to our services across the country.
- My responsibilities also included Administrative and Financial Management of the company, overseeing flow of revenues and spending of the resources.
Executive Managing Editor
APN TV Channel
12.2019 - 06.2021
- Leading a workforce of about 160 journalists and support staff, my responsibilities included revamping of the channel, upgrading its quality and expanding its footprint.
- My role involved strategizing and guiding the daily news coverage and planning and execution of special discussions.
- I also hosted ‘The Agenda’, a daily Prime Time debate show telecast at 8 PM. (Its episodes are available on YouTube).
Managing Editor
IANS
04.2019 - 11.2019
- My responsibilities included supervision of news coverage and overseeing the output.
- The role involved ensuring speedy delivery of news.
- I also had a key role in ensuring production of in-depth and analytical stories.
Executive Editor
ANI
12.2018 - 04.2019
- My responsibility was to oversee the news coverage and ensure delivery in a speedy and accurate manner.
- The role included boosting and expansion of the Print service in coordination with visual service.
Resident Editor, Western Region
Press Trust of India
12.2017 - 11.2018
- Based in Mumbai, I was in-charge of five states Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh and Goa.
- Headed a staff of about 150 people, including 50 journalists, spread across these states.
- Had administrative responsibilities too in relation to these five states.
- My key responsibility was to ensure news coverage in these states across all segments, including politics, business, sports, entertainment, etc.
- Planning and execution of story ideas were the key elements of my role.
Editor
Press Trust of India
11.2014 - 11.2017
- Based in Delhi, my responsibilities included overseeing the flow of incoming and outgoing news items, promptly and accurately.
- This included handling and rewriting of major stories of the day.
- Along with this, I covered the PMO, including the activities, speeches, meetings, statements and tweets of the Prime Minister.
Chief of Bureau in Delhi
Press Trust of India
04.2008 - 10.2014
- My responsibility was to ensure coverage of all (non-economic) developments and events taking place in Delhi.
- My role involved planning coverage of events and assigning stories/ideas to colleagues across various beats and ensuring their execution.
- Besides, I covered the PMO and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Deputy Chief of Bureau
Press Trust of India
02.2007 - 03.2008
- Assisted the Chief of Bureau in ensuring coverage of all (non-economic) developments taking place in Delhi.
- My own beats were the PMO and the MEA.
Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, with additional charge of Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
01.2006 - 01.2007
- My main area of responsibility was the coverage of India's foreign relations.
- I also had the responsibility of covering the BJP, the main Opposition party.
- Had an additional responsibility of ensuring coverage of local government and issues of Delhi and NCR region.
Special Correspondent, with the charge of Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
10.2004 - 12.2005
- My responsibility was the coverage of Foreign Affairs, BJP, Kashmir Affairs and all the Paramilitary Forces BSF, CRPF, ITBP, CISF, NSG and SSB.
- Also covered the Defence Ministry for some time.
- Along with this, I covered events, including those of the Prime Minister, in Delhi as well as in other parts of the country.
Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
03.2004 - 10.2004
- My responsibility was to ensure coverage of Delhi government, Delhi Police, local politics, MCD and NDMC and other local events.
Reporter
Press Trust of India
03.2001 - 03.2004
- Covered Delhi government, Delhi Police and other local issues related to the national capital.
- Was also regularly assigned to cover other events, including those of the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Defence Minister.
- Also started covering Parliament (Lok Sabha).
Sub-Editor
Press Trust of India
04.1996 - 03.2001
- Edited and issued news items, both domestic and international, on national and foreign desks.
Trainee
Press Trust of India
04.1995 - 03.1996
- Edited copies and did reporting assignments and special stories.
Sub-Editor
The Patriot
- Was involved in editing and page-making.
Education
Masters -
Journalism and Mass Communication
PG Diploma -
Journalism
Bachelor -
Science
Skills
- Journalism Reporting and Anchoring
- Leadership and team management
- Deadline management and delivery speed
- Accuracy and objectivity
- Institution building and talent detection
- Crisis resolution and problem solving
- Mentoring in fast-paced environments
International Exposure
I have had the honour of accompanying Prime Ministers Manmohan Singh and Narendra Modi, Vice President Hamid Ansari, External Affairs Ministers Natwar Singh, Pranab Mukherjee, S M Krishna and Salman Khurshid and Home Minister P Chidambaram on their official visits to various foreign countries for coverage of their programmes there. I have covered many multilateral events including the Summits of SAARC, BRICS, SCO, G20, ASEAN, CHOGM, BIMSTEC and Afro-Asian. I covered the historic meeting of Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) in Vienna in 09/01/08, when India was granted the unique waiver to conduct trade in civil nuclear field.
Tv And Radio Appearances
Have been interviewed by BBC Radio and German radio Duetsche Welle and some Pakistani news channels on special events like important foreign visits of the Prime Minister, India getting NSG waiver in 2008 and India-Pakistan relations. Have participated in discussions on news channels like Doordarshan, Lok Sabha TV and Zee News, mostly on Kashmir-related issues, foreign affairs and some special political developments. I have also conducted programmes for All India Radio on various subjects, including foreign affairs, Kashmir and financial matters.
Other Highlights
- Joint Secretary of the Lok Sabha Press Accreditation Committee (2015-2016).
- Distinguished Panelist of the Lok Sabha for around 5 years.
- Member of Hindi Salahkar Samiti of Ministry of Food, Government of India.
Academics And Courses
- Masters in Journalism and Mass Communication (MJMC).
- PG Diploma in Journalism.
- Bachelor in Science (B.Sc).
- Attended three programmes of the Ministry of External Affairs on 'International Relations and Indian Foreign Policy'.
Personal Information
Date of Birth: 10/21/69
Reporting Exposure
Have covered several historic and landmark events and developments, within the country and abroad. These include the landmark Parliamentary and Assembly elections in Kashmir during peak of terrorism, the Indo-Pak conflict in Kargil in 1999, the terror attack on Parliament in 2001 and the subsequent troop mobilization on the Pakistan border.
Team Leader Experience
20, Editor-in-Chief of UNI, 06/01/21 to 06/30/25, Oversaw the operations of News Services in 3 languages – English, Hindi and Urdu – and a vibrant Photo Service., Executive Managing Editor at APN, 12/01/19 to 06/30/21, Led a workforce of about 160 journalists and support staff, revamping the channel and expanding its footprint., Managing Editor at IANS, 04/01/19 to 11/30/19, Supervised news coverage and ensured speedy delivery of news., Executive Editor at ANI, 12/01/18 to 04/30/19, Oversaw news coverage and ensured delivery in a speedy and accurate manner., Various roles at PTI, 04/01/95 to 11/30/18, Joined as a Trainee Journalist and rose to the rank of Editor, overseeing various teams and news coverage.
Timeline
Editor-in-Chief
United News of India
06.2021 - 06.2025
Executive Managing Editor
APN TV Channel
12.2019 - 06.2021
Managing Editor
IANS
04.2019 - 11.2019
Executive Editor
ANI
12.2018 - 04.2019
Resident Editor, Western Region
Press Trust of India
12.2017 - 11.2018
Editor
Press Trust of India
11.2014 - 11.2017
Chief of Bureau in Delhi
Press Trust of India
04.2008 - 10.2014
Deputy Chief of Bureau
Press Trust of India
02.2007 - 03.2008
Chief Diplomatic Correspondent, with additional charge of Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
01.2006 - 01.2007
Special Correspondent, with the charge of Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
10.2004 - 12.2005
Chief Reporter
Press Trust of India
03.2004 - 10.2004
Reporter
Press Trust of India
03.2001 - 03.2004
Sub-Editor
Press Trust of India
04.1996 - 03.2001
Trainee
Press Trust of India
04.1995 - 03.1996
Sub-Editor
The Patriot
Masters -
Journalism and Mass Communication
PG Diploma -
Journalism
Bachelor -
Science