Palki Sharma: Why Palki Sharma Left Firstpost?

Palki Sharma Upadhyay has stepped down as Managing Editor of Firstpost, marking a major shift in Indian digital journalism. The update came through internal communication on January 29, 2026 and was later confirmed by her on social media. She will remain with Firstpost until March 2026 to support a smooth transition.

Her exit has created strong discussion across media and social platforms. Supporters see this move as a step toward independence and entrepreneurship. Critics view it with mixed feelings. Still, the dominant public response reflects respect for her work and curiosity about her next chapter.

Key Takeaways

• Palki Sharma has resigned as Managing Editor of Firstpost.
• She will continue with the company until March 2026.
• She plans to start her own independent venture.
• Binoy Prabhakar has been appointed Chief Content Officer at Firstpost.
• Public reaction on social media is mostly positive with some criticism.
• Her career includes WION, Gravitas, and the launch of Vantage at Firstpost.

Palki Sharma’s journey with Firstpost is seen as one of impact and visibility. Her role in shaping the platform’s international voice made her one of the most recognizable faces in digital news.

Palki Sharma Confirms Exit from Firstpost

The resignation was first shared with Firstpost employees through an internal memo issued by Network18 leadership. The message highlighted her contribution to the brand and her decision to step away from the Managing Editor role.

Soon after, Palki Sharma confirmed the news on her social media accounts. She acknowledged her time at Firstpost and stated that she would stay until March 2026 to ensure continuity in editorial leadership.

This approach signals a planned and respectful transition rather than an abrupt exit.

Leadership Changes at Firstpost

Following her decision, Firstpost announced new appointments in its leadership team. Binoy Prabhakar has been named the new Chief Content Officer of Firstpost. He brings more than two decades of experience from media organizations such as Hindustan Times Digital, The Economic Times, The Indian Express, and Network18 platforms.

Another internal change includes the promotion of senior editorial staff to new roles within the group’s digital properties.

These appointments aim to stabilize the newsroom and continue the editorial direction that was built during Palki Sharma’s tenure.

Her Contribution to Firstpost and Vantage

Palki Sharma played a central role in launching the prime time show Vantage. The show focused on global affairs from an Indian perspective and gained strong viewership on digital platforms.

Her style of presentation emphasized clarity, confidence, and international coverage. Under her leadership, Firstpost expanded its global reporting and strengthened its YouTube and digital presence.

She also helped build an editorial culture focused on structured reporting and consistent programming. This period is considered one of growth for the platform’s international identity.

Career Background Before Firstpost

Before joining Firstpost in 2023, Palki Sharma was widely known for her work at WION. She anchored the popular show Gravitas, which earned a large following in India and abroad.

Her exit from WION in 2022 was highly publicized. It was followed by legal discussions over notice period terms. The Delhi High Court later allowed her to continue employment with Network18.

Her career spans nearly two and a half decades. She has worked with Doordarshan News, Hindustan Times, ITV Network, and other major media groups.

Plans for an Independent Venture

Reports indicate that Palki Sharma plans to launch her own venture. While details remain limited, sources suggest it may involve entrepreneurship rather than traditional newsroom leadership.

There is also renewed discussion about her earlier business initiative. In 2016, she launched a designer saree brand named Reyva before fully returning to journalism. Some observers believe she may reconnect with this entrepreneurial path.

Speculation also includes the possibility of a new digital media platform or independent content project.

At this stage, no official announcement has been made regarding the nature of the venture.

Social Media Reaction and Public Sentiment

Her resignation quickly became a trending topic on X and other platforms. Posts spread rapidly with thousands of likes and reposts within hours.

Supporters praised her confidence and independence. Many referred to her as the Gravitas queen and credited her with raising the profile of Indian global news coverage.

Some users criticized her past editorial stance and accused her of political bias. These posts formed a smaller but vocal group.

Overall, the dominant sentiment leaned positive and respectful.

Summary of Online Sentiment

Category	Description
Supportive	Praised her courage, wished success, admired her journalism
Critical	Accused bias and selective reporting
Curious	Speculated about her next project
Neutral	Shared news updates without opinion

This reaction highlights her strong influence and reach within Indian media circles.

Why This Move Matters in Indian Media

Palki Sharma’s exit is not just a routine leadership change. It reflects a broader shift in digital journalism where high profile anchors explore independent ventures.

Her decision signals that personal branding and entrepreneurship now hold greater value than long term corporate newsroom roles for some journalists.

It also raises questions about how Firstpost will shape its global news identity without its most visible face.

The appointment of Binoy Prabhakar shows that Network18 is focused on continuity and stability rather than reinvention.

What Comes Next for Firstpost

Firstpost is expected to continue its international focus under new leadership. Editorial teams will likely maintain the structure developed during Sharma’s tenure.

The transition period until March 2026 will allow the organization to adjust its programming and newsroom workflow.

Audience response in the coming months will indicate whether the platform retains its strong engagement levels without her presence.

The Road Ahead for Palki Sharma

Palki Sharma’s next step remains one of the most watched developments in Indian media today. Whether she returns to entrepreneurship, launches a digital news platform, or builds a personal brand venture, expectations are high.

Her past shows and editorial projects suggest she will remain connected to public discourse in some form.

For many viewers, this move represents independence and reinvention rather than retreat.

Her journey now enters a new phase that blends journalism, leadership, and entrepreneurship.

Conclusion

Palki Sharma’s resignation from Firstpost marks the end of an important chapter in her career and the beginning of another. Her contribution to Vantage and international news coverage shaped the platform’s identity in a short span of time.

Public reaction shows that she remains a powerful voice with a loyal audience. While opinions differ, her influence is clear.

As she prepares for her independent venture, both her supporters and critics will closely follow what she does next. The development stands as one of the most talked about media stories of early 2026.

Tags: Palki Sharma, Firstpost News, Indian Journalism, Media Leadership, Digital News, Palki Sharma Venture

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