New Delhi, December 14, 2025 – In a historic milestone, senior journalist from Assam, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty, has been elected as the President of the Press Club of India (PCI), becoming the first woman to hold the top post in the institution’s 68-year history. She is also the first person from Northeast India to lead the prestigious journalists’ body.
The results for the 2025-26 term were announced on Sunday, with Pisharoty securing a resounding victory by polling 1,019 votes. Her nearest rival, Atul Mishra, received 129 votes, while Arun Sharma garnered 89 votes. Her panel achieved a clean sweep, winning all positions and managing committee seats in a decisive 21-0 margin.
Reacting to the win, Pisharoty stated that the election reflects the members’ confidence in her panel’s vision and commitment to upholding independent, impartial, and responsible journalism.
Currently based in New Delhi, Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty serves as the National Affairs Editor at the digital news platform The Wire. She has deep expertise in Assam’s socio-political issues and is widely acclaimed for her book Assam: The Accord, The Discord, which examines the Assam Movement and the Assam Accord in detail.
Pisharoty’s landmark victory has brought immense pride to Assam’s journalism community and serves as an inspiration for women journalists across India. Under her leadership, the Press Club of India is expected to further strengthen standards of journalism and protect press freedom in the coming years.
