On Thursday, October 16, 2025, we look at the inspiring life of Palki Sharma Upadhyay, a well-known Indian journalist and news anchor. She is famous for her strong voice and clear style in telling news stories. This article tells about her life, career, and achievements in simple words for beginner readers.
Early Life And Education
Palki Sharma was born on May 29, 1982, in Pilani, Rajasthan. She grew up in Delhi in a loving family. Her father was a famous Indian cricketer, and her mother was a well-known beautician. Palki studied at Loreto Convent in Shimla and later completed a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism in Jaipur. She also learned French at an advanced level from Alliance Française in Delhi. This education helped her build a strong base for her future career in journalism.
Palki Sharma Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Education, Husband, Children
Career
Palki’s journey into journalism was not planned. She originally wanted to become a designer. But during her college years, she got an unexpected chance to work as a news anchor on Doordarshan, India's biggest TV broadcaster, in 2002. Her first salary was just ₹800. Even though she found it hard to speak well in Hindi on TV, she continued to work hard and learn. This job made her interested in journalism, and she chose to follow this path.
Early Work
While working on TV, Palki also began writing articles for local newspapers. She faced many challenges but kept trying until a major newspaper, Hindustan Times, accepted her work. There she covered social and civic issues, and she also edited some parts of the newspaper. This experience helped her become better at writing and reporting.
Long Tenure at CNN-News18
In 2005, Palki got a big break when she joined CNN-News18 as a Senior Editor and Anchor. She stayed with CNN for 11 years. During this time, Palki interviewed many important people including politicians, business leaders, artists, and sports stars. Her clear speaking and sharp questions made her a popular face in Indian news. She also worked behind the scenes writing and preparing news stories, showing her skills both on and off camera.
Role at WION News Channel
After CNN, Palki became the Managing Director of WION (World is One News), an international news channel from India, in 2019. She hosted the popular prime time show "Gravitas." This show was popular for its honest and deep analysis of world events. Palki’s work at WION made her a respected name not just in India but around the world.
Awards
Palki Sharma has won many awards for her journalism. In 2007, she received the Best News Reader Award. The show "Gravitas" won the Best International News Show award. In 2023, she was honored with the Bharat Asmita Jana Jagaran Shreshta Award for her excellent use of mass media. These awards show the respect she holds in the field of journalism.
Personal Interest
Apart from journalism, Palki has a creative side. She loves sarees and started her own designer saree brand called Reyva. This shows her interest in business and fashion, which is different from her news career but also important to her.
Conclusion
Palki Sharma Upadhyay’s story teaches us about patience, hard work, and following unexpected paths. She began with small jobs and faced many difficulties but grew into one of India’s most trusted journalists. She inspires many young people to stand for truth and tell important stories through the media. Palki shows that with courage and dedication, one can reach great heights in any career.