Chitra Tripathi stands as a formidable and often polarising figure in the complex landscape of Indian television journalism. She is widely regarded as one of the country’s most recognised and highest-paid news anchors, known for her distinctive style of delivering breaking news with a powerful, on-screen presence. Her career is a testament to unwavering ambition and strategic professional navigation, marked by significant roles at some of India’s most prominent news channels. However, her public identity is defined by more than just her professional achievements. Tripathi has become a central figure in national conversations, with her work often sparking intense public debate and her personal life increasingly becoming a subject of widespread scrutiny.
Her recent career move back to ABP News in a senior leadership role, coupled with the public announcement of her divorce, marks a pivotal and transformative chapter in her life. This confluence of major professional advancement and profound personal change presents a narrative not of a simple career progression, but of a full-scale life reset. This biography delves into the multifaceted journey of Chitra Tripathi, exploring her unconventional origins, her disciplined rise through the media ranks, the accolades and controversies that have defined her career, and the new beginnings that are shaping her future. It aims to provide a comprehensive, human-centric account that moves beyond headlines to understand the woman behind the national news.
The Roots of an Anchor: From Gorakhpur to the Frontlines
Chitra Tripathi’s life journey began far from the bustling newsrooms of Delhi, in the small city of Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh, where she was born on May 11, 1986. This small-town upbringing provided the foundation for a career that would eventually take her to the frontlines of national news. Her early life was defined not by a passion for journalism, but by a different, highly disciplined ambition.
An Unconventional Beginning
Her academic path reflects a curious mix of local education and specialised, almost militaristic, study. She earned her graduate degree from Deen Dayal Upadhyaya University in Gorakhpur. Following this, she took an unexpected turn by pursuing a Master’s degree in defence studies at the same university. This academic choice, which seems unrelated to her future profession, was deeply rooted in her childhood aspirations.
The Dream of a Soldier
Growing up, Chitra Tripathi had no interest in journalism; her true dream was to join the Indian Army. This ambition was not a fleeting childhood fantasy but a serious commitment. She was an active NCC (National Cadet Corps) cadet, a path that instilled in her the values of discipline, duty, and on-field leadership. The culmination of this period was a significant achievement: she received a gold medal during the Republic Day parade in Delhi, a clear indicator of her dedication and excellence. This military-oriented background provides a powerful context for her later professional persona, suggesting that her ability to handle high-pressure situations and her preference for on-the-ground reporting are extensions of this early training.
The Pivot to Journalism
The decisive turning point in her life occurred during an internship at Doordarshan Kendra, a local television station in Gorakhpur. The experience proved to be transformative. It was here, immersed in the process of news-making, that she fell in love with the field and made the monumental decision to pivot her career path from a soldier’s life to a journalist’s. This shift from a structured military career to the dynamic world of news reporting speaks volumes about her ability to adapt and pursue new challenges, ultimately shaping the fearless on-field reporter she would become.
Forging a Path in the Media Landscape
Chitra Tripathi’s professional trajectory is a masterclass in strategic career development. It is a story of consistent progression, moving from local and regional media to securing prime-time slots and leadership positions at major national news networks.
Early Career and Foundational Experience
Tripathi’s journalism career officially began in 2005 at Doordarshan Kendra in Gorakhpur.This initial experience, which sparked her passion for the field, led her to make the bold move to Delhi to seek opportunities in the national media scene. She secured a position at Sahara India, a key step that marked her official entry into the competitive national media market. Her time at other media houses like the ETV Network and News 24 was crucial for honing her skills as an anchor and reporter.
The First Stint at ABP News
Her career gained significant momentum when she joined ABP News in 2016. During this period, she established herself as a prominent face in Hindi journalism, hosting a number of flagship political shows. Her popular programs included 2019 Kaun Jeetega, a show focused on the general elections, as well as Press Conference and Kaun Banega Mukhyamantri, all of which showcased her expertise in political analysis. This period was also marked by a highly acclaimed reporting assignment covering the Siachen conflict, for which she was awarded the “Best Reporter Award”. Her on-the-ground coverage in one of the world’s most challenging environments underscored the discipline and tenacity that her early military ambitions had foreshadowed.
The Pinnacle at Aaj Tak
In a strategic career move, Tripathi left ABP News and joined rival channel Aaj Tak in February 2019, initially taking on the role of Deputy Editor and Anchor. She quickly became a central figure at the network, covering the 2019 India-Pakistan border clashes and eventually hosting flagship shows like Dangal and Shankhnaad. Over time, she rose to the position of Editor, Special Projects, a role that recognised her abilities not just as an anchor but as a leader in editorial strategy and content development. Her career path reveals a consistent pattern of taking on more challenging and senior roles, demonstrating her high value in the market and her continuous pursuit of professional growth.
A Legacy of Awards and Accolades
Chitra Tripathi’s professional credibility is cemented by a number of prestigious awards that recognise her significant contributions to Indian journalism. These accolades highlight her unique strengths in reporting from challenging locations and her influential role as a prime-time anchor.
The Ramnath Goenka Award
The most prestigious honour of her career came in 2015 when she was awarded the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. She was recognised in the category of “Reporting from J&K and the Northeast – Broadcast” for her outstanding work in 2014, while she was an anchor at India News. This award is considered one of the highest distinctions in Indian journalism, and it validated her fearless approach to reporting from conflict-ridden and difficult regions.
Best Reporter for Siachen Coverage
During her first tenure at ABP News, Tripathi’s commitment to on-the-ground reporting was again recognised when she received the “Best Reporter Award” for her exceptional coverage of the Siachen conflict. This award is a direct reflection of her disciplined and intrepid reporting style, linking her professional work directly to the values she cultivated during her youth as an NCC cadet with aspirations of joining the army.
Other Honours and Controversies
In addition to these major awards, Tripathi has also been honoured with a “Best Anchor Award” by the Newspaper Association of India. However, some of her other recognitions have been met with public debate. For instance, her receipt of the “Bihar Asmita Award” triggered a satirical public discourse, with critics questioning the logic of giving an award for amplifying Bihar’s issues to a journalist from Gorakhpur. While the award itself is a recognition, the public reaction to it provides a telling glimpse into the critical lens through which her work is often viewed.
| Award Name | Year | Channel Affiliation | Category / Achievement |
| Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award | 2015 (for work in 2014) | India News | Reporting from J&K and the Northeast – Broadcast |
| Best Reporter Award | N/A | ABP News | Outstanding coverage of the Siachen conflict |
| Best Anchor Award | N/A | Newspaper Association of India | Contribution to journalism |
| Bihar Asmita Award | N/A | N/A | Awarded for amplifying Bihar’s issues (controversial) |
On-Field, Under Fire: Reporting from the Frontlines
Chitra Tripathi’s journalistic persona is defined by her dynamic reporting style and her willingness to engage with contentious issues. This has earned her a dedicated following but has also made her a target for intense criticism and public backlash.
The Signature Reporting Style
Tripathi is celebrated for her “sharp political insights and impactful anchoring”. Her style combines in-depth political analysis in the studio with fearless on-the-ground reporting from various locations, including conflict zones and areas of social unrest. This dual approach allows her to connect with audiences on complex political and public interest issues, making her a formidable figure in prime-time news debates and a recognisable face in the field.
Facing the Onslaught: The ‘Godi Media’ Label
A significant part of her public narrative is her association with the term “Godi Media,” a pejorative used by critics to describe news channels and journalists perceived as being biased in favour of the ruling government. This label has often led to confrontations during her on-field assignments. In one viral incident in Kashmir, Tripathi was met with protestors chanting “Godi Media Murdabad” (Down with Lapdog Media), a powerful public expression of the growing mistrust towards her and the media channels she represents. A similar incident occurred at a farmers’ protest in Muzaffarnagar, where angry farmers’ backlash forced her to make a “quick exit” from the site amid “Godi Media Hai Hai” chants.
These incidents are not isolated events. They reveal a palpable and often hostile public response to a particular style of journalism. The backlash she has faced in the field and online is a direct, unfiltered reaction to the perception of political bias in her reporting.
The Digital Battlefield
Beyond the physical confrontations, Tripathi is also a prominent figure in the digital battleground of social media. She is known for her active online presence, where she engages with her audience and shares her perspectives. This digital engagement, however, has also made her a target for organised trolling. In a public statement, she once claimed that a concerted trolling campaign against her cost a staggering ₹50 lakh. This claim adds a layer of complexity to the criticism she faces, suggesting that a portion of the backlash may not be organic public dissent but a deliberate, organised effort to discredit her. This demonstrates the increasingly complex and often volatile environment in which modern journalists, particularly those with a strong public identity, must operate.
The Latest Chapter: A New Professional and Personal Beginning
The year 2024 and early 2025 have been marked by monumental changes in Chitra Tripathi’s life, simultaneously ushering in a new era for her career and a public end to her long-standing marriage. These events, occurring in close proximity, paint a picture of a woman at a major crossroads, navigating significant transitions in both her public and private spheres.
The Return to ABP News
In a widely reported move in October 2024, Chitra Tripathi resigned from her position as Editor, Special Projects at Aaj Tak. Her departure was immediately followed by a highly-publicised return to ABP News, where she had previously worked from 2016 to 2019. This second stint at ABP News began with her taking on the senior role of Vice President, News & Programming. This position places her in a key leadership and editorial role, solidifying her status as a high-value asset in the media industry.
Upon her return, ABP News placed its trust in her by tasking her to host two prime-time shows: Mahadangal at 5 PM, a program dedicated to political debates, and Janhith at 9 PM, which focuses on public interest topics and societal issues. This dual role as both a senior leader and a prime-time anchor highlights her importance to the channel’s strategy. Furthermore, media reports speculated that this return came with a substantial financial incentive, with an “enhanced remuneration package, reportedly almost double what she was receiving at Aaj Tak”. This suggests that her professional moves are not just about the platform but are a powerful reflection of her market value and influence.
The End of a 16-Year Journey
Just months after her major career move, on March 20, 2025, Chitra Tripathi made a public announcement on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that she had officially parted ways with her husband, Atul Agarwal. The couple’s marriage had lasted for 16 years, and they are parents to a son, Aum Agarwal. In her statement, Tripathi framed the separation as a “planned” and mutual decision, emphasising that despite the end of their marriage, they would remain “co-parents and family,” devoted to raising their son together.
Unraveling the Speculation
While the couple did not disclose the reasons for their separation, the public conversation surrounding their divorce was heavily influenced by a widely discussed controversy from 2022. During that time, Chitra’s husband, Atul Agarwal, who is also a journalist, had claimed to be the victim of a robbery. A subsequent police investigation, however, revealed that the robbery story was fabricated due to “personal reasons” and that Agarwal had, in fact, spent the night at an OYO hotel with a female friend. This incident, which became a source of widespread gossip and social media “roasting” at the time, was immediately linked by the public to the couple’s divorce announcement. While Tripathi never publicly commented on the 2022 incident, the public’s immediate leap to this conclusion highlights the intense level of scrutiny faced by public figures and how past controversies can continue to shape their narratives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who is Chitra Tripathi’s husband?
Chitra Tripathi’s husband was Atul Agarwal, a journalist and news anchor. They were married for 16 years before announcing their mutual divorce on March 20, 2025.
Why did Chitra Tripathi and Atul Agarwal divorce?
Chitra Tripathi announced their mutual and planned separation on social media, stating they were formalising their separation as co-parents. The couple did not reveal the specific reasons for their divorce.
What is the controversy about her husband and the OYO hotel?
In 2022, Atul Agarwal claimed he was robbed. A police investigation later determined the robbery was faked. It was revealed that he had spent the night at an OYO hotel with a female friend, an incident that became a subject of widespread public speculation and was later linked to the couple’s separation.
Is Chitra Tripathi still at ABP News?
Yes, Chitra Tripathi is currently working at ABP News. She rejoined the channel in October 2024 as the Vice President of News & Programming and hosts two shows, Mahadangal and Janhith.
What awards has Chitra Tripathi won?
Chitra Tripathi has won several awards, including the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award in 2015 for her reporting from J&K and the Northeast. She also received the Best Reporter Award for her coverage of the Siachen conflict and a Best Anchor Award.
Conclusion: A New Chapter of an Unfinished Story
Chitra Tripathi’s career and life represent a powerful and often contradictory journey. From a small-town girl with a dream of joining the Indian Army, she transformed herself into one of the country’s most influential and scrutinised news anchors. Her biography is a study in ambition, discipline, and media professionalism, validated by prestigious awards like the Ramnath Goenka Award and the Best Reporter Award. Yet, it is also a story of a public figure who must navigate the volatile realities of modern media, where professional identity is inseparable from public perception and personal life is often under a microscope.
Her recent return to ABP News in a high-ranking leadership role signifies not just a professional triumph but a strategic consolidation of her career. In a fiercely competitive industry, her market value has never been higher. Simultaneously, the public announcement of her divorce closes a major chapter in her personal life, opening up a new one centred on co-parenting and personal independence. This dual narrative of professional power and personal vulnerability offers a compelling glimpse into the complexities of her life. As she continues to shape public discourse from the anchor’s chair, her story remains an unfinished one—a testament to her enduring presence and influence in the evolving narrative of Indian news media.