Rajat Sharma Net Worth : How Journalism, India TV and Aap Ki Adalat Built It

For over 30 years, Rajat Sharma has asked the questions that millions of Indians wanted answers to. From prime ministers to movie stars, they’ve all faced his calm voice and sharp mind in the courtroom of Aap Ki Adalat. But while we’ve seen him grill others about their lives, very few people know the full story behind his journey, his wealth, and what powers his media empire today. Not many know this, but before Rajat Sharma became one of India’s most respected journalists, he had spent 11 months in Tihar Jail during the Emergency. Let’s see how a boy from Delhi’s Sabzi Mandi became the face of Indian TV journalism and break down Rajat Sharma’s net worth, his monthly earnings, and more in 2025!

Rajat Sharma’s Net Worth in 2025

As of 2025, Rajat Sharma’s net worth is estimated to be around ₹110 crore (approximately $13 million). This wealth is a result of over 30 years in journalism, strategic leadership at India TV, and the strong public brand he has built through Aap Ki Adalat.

Net Worth Compared to Other Journalists

Arnab Goswami is believed to be worth over ₹250 crore. Sudhir Chaudhary is estimated to be around ₹80 crore. Ravish Kumar, who is known for keeping a lower profile, is reported to have a more modest financial footprint. 

What makes Sharma different is that he’s not just a salaried editor. As a promoter and stakeholder in India TV, his earnings are tied to the long-term success of the business. That ownership adds a layer of financial stability and growth that most journalists don’t have.

What Drives Rajat Sharma’s Salary and Income?

1. Monthly Salary from India TV

Rajat Sharma’s annual income is primarily earned through his role as the Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of India TV. The news channel itself, co-founded by Sharma and his wife Ritu Dhawan, has been valued at over ₹500 crore. 

According to certain reports, as of 2025, Rajat Sharma’s salary per month is estimated to be ₹25–35 lakh, factoring in both fixed salary and bonuses.

2. Ownership in India TV

Unlike salaried anchors, Sharma is also a promoter of the channel. His equity stake significantly boosts his long-term net worth and wealth security.

3. Show Royalties and Legal Rights

Sharma has fiercely protected the brand of Aap Ki Adalat. In 2023, he won a case against a platform using a lookalike name, Baap Ki Adalat. The court barred the use of Sharma’s name, image, and show title. This legal protection underlines the commercial value of his IP.

4. Public Events and Panels

Sharma regularly speaks at industry summits, political conclaves, and public forums, adding another stream to his earnings.

Rajat Sharma’s Role in Modern Indian Journalism

Rajat Sharma introduced a new way of doing interviews on Indian television. When Aap Ki Adalat started in 1993, it stood out immediately. The first episode aired on 14 March 1993 on Zee TV, and the show quickly became iconic for its unique format.

Over the decades, it has hosted everyone from Narendra Modi, Amitabh Bachchan, and Lalu Prasad Yadav to Shah Rukh Khan and Baba Ramdev, making it one of the longest-running shows in Indian television history.

The format was part courtroom, part prime-time interview, but without the drama that defines so much of news today. Guests knew they would face tough questions, but they also knew they’d be treated with dignity. Over the years, this format has shaped how serious interviews are done on Indian TV. It became a space where the public could finally see powerful people being held accountable, but without theatrics.

Rajat Sharma Biography

Who is Rajat Sharma?

He is one of the most well-known faces in Indian journalism. He’s best known as the creator and host of Aap Ki Adalat, a courtroom-style interview show that’s been running for over 30 years. The show has featured almost every big name in Indian politics, films, sports, and business.

He was born in Delhi in 1957. His childhood was tough. He grew up in a small house with no electricity or proper facilities. But despite all odds, he studied hard, graduated from Shri Ram College of Commerce, and got into student politics. During the Emergency in 1975, he was even sent to jail as a student leader.

Rajat started his career in journalism in the 1980s. He worked with several magazines and newspapers before launching Aap Ki Adalat in 1993.

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Rajat Sharma’s Education and Early Life

He was born on 18 February 1957, in Sabzi Mandi, Delhi, where he lived with six brothers and a sister. His schooling was done at Sanatan Dharm Middle School and later Ramjas School, Pusa Road.

What shaped his early thinking was political activism. During the Emergency in 1975, Sharma was arrested and jailed for 11 months for participating in the JP Movement. He was just a young student then.

After his release, he enrolled at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Delhi University. There, he joined ABVP and went on to become General Secretary of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) in 1977, while Vijay Goel served as the Union President.

Career Journey: Print, Prime Time, and Power

Sharma began as a researcher for Janardan Thakur. He soon joined Onlooker magazine, where he rose to chief of bureau and then editor. He later became editor of the Sunday Observer and The Daily, gaining deep insight into Indian politics and media operations.

In 2004, Sharma co-founded India TV, a Hindi news channel that quickly became one of the country’s top broadcasters. Known for its mass appeal, India TV has consistently remained profitable.

Senior Positions and Recognition

• President of News Broadcasters & Digital Association (NBDA) as of July 2024
• Former President of the Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA)
• Recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2015, awarded upon recommendation by the late Arun Jaitley
• Regular participant at WEF, industry panels, and political conclaves

Public Image and Political Ties

Rajat Sharma is known to have close relations with political heavyweights, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the late Arun Jaitley. His influence in both journalism and political circles is often acknowledged, sometimes criticised.

In 2024, Sharma filed a defamation case against Congress leaders over alleged abusive language claims during a live broadcast. The Delhi High Court ruled in his favour, ordering the takedown of tweets and videos that could damage his reputation.

Legal Advocacy 

Sharma has also taken a legal stand against digital misuse. In 2024, he filed a public interest litigation in the Delhi High Court urging the government to regulate deepfakes. His PIL requested a nodal officer for reporting and flagged the lack of clear laws to address AI-generated media content.

Rajat Sharma’s Lifestyle and Personal Life

Despite his success, Sharma is known to live a low-profile life. His assets reportedly include real estate in Delhi and a premium car collection, but nothing gaudy.

He is married to Ritu Dhawan, Managing Director and co-founder of India TV. The couple has worked together for decades in building and running the business.

Interestingly, Sharma maintains an active presence on Instagram under the handle @rajatsharmalive, where he has nearly 998K followers. His feed, with over 790 posts, features behind-the-scenes moments from Aap Ki Adalat, industry events, interviews, and personal reflections. While he follows just 11 people, his page is a window into the quieter, more thoughtful side of his media journey.

With a career spanning over four decades, a flagship show that has outlived TV trends, and a leadership role in one of India’s top news channels, Rajat Sharma’s net worth of ₹110 crore represents consistency, credibility, and a strategic hold on India’s media narrative.

Also read: Vivek Oberoi Net Worth in 2025!

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