MAM
Karan Darda appointed INS president for 2026-27
Tanmay Maheshwari becomes deputy president as Harsha Mathew takes vice-president role
New Delhi: The Indian newspaper industry has a new captain at the helm. The Indian Newspaper Society has appointed Karan Rajendra Darda as its president for 2026-27, placing the Lokmat Media executive at the top of the industry’s leading publishers’ body.
The decision was taken at the INS annual general meeting on September 7, with Darda succeeding Vivek Gupta of Sanmarg.
The leadership transition also sees Tanmay Maheshwari of Amar Ujala elevated to deputy president. Harsha Mathew of Malayala Manorama will take over as vice president, while Anant Nath of Delhi Press will continue as honorary treasurer.
The appointments mark a familiar progression within the INS leadership. During 2025-26, Darda served as deputy president, while Maheshwari was vice president. Nath also held the honorary treasurer’s post during the outgoing term.
Darda brings experience across several sides of the newspaper business. He is executive director of Lokmat Media and has worked across editorial, circulation and business functions during his association with the industry. He had earlier served as vice president of the society in 2024-25.
Maheshwari is managing director of Amar Ujala, while Mathew serves as chief resident editor and director at Malayala Manorama.
The change in leadership comes at a significant time for India’s newspaper industry, which continues to navigate shifts in advertising, circulation, digital consumption and the economics of publishing. The INS represents publishers of newspapers, magazines and periodicals and engages with issues ranging from advertising and newsprint to policy and press freedom.
The newly constituted committee brings together senior representatives from some of India’s prominent publishing houses and regional media organisations. Its members include Kiran B. Vadodaria of Western Times, Somesh Sharma of Rashtradoot Saptahik, J. R. Mammen Mathew of Malayala Manorama, L. Adimoolam of Health & The Antiseptic, Mohit Jain of The Economic Times, K. R. P. Reddy of Sakshi and Rakesh Sharma of Aaj Samaj.
The committee also includes representatives from Mathrubhumi, Daily Thanthi, Dainik Bhaskar, Hindustan Times, The Indian Express, Dainik Jagran, Business Standard, The Statesman, The Telegraph, Punjab Kesari and Eenadu.
With Darda moving from deputy to the top post, the INS enters 2026-27 with a leadership team that combines continuity with a fresh rotation of responsibilities. For an industry balancing its print legacy with a rapidly changing media landscape, the new term is likely to keep publishers focused on both the business of newspapers and the future of news.
