Who is Palki Sharma?
Palki Sharma Upadhyay is one of India’s most respected journalists, known for her analytical depth, fearless reporting, and clear stance on international affairs. A seasoned news anchor and editor, she gained widespread acclaim as the face of WION’s Gravitas, and currently serves as the Managing Editor at Firstpost, where she hosts programs like Flashback and Between the Lines. With a bold voice and articulate presence, she has become a defining figure in Indian and global journalism.
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Palki Sharma Upadhyay
|
| Date of Birth | 29 May 1982 |
| Age (as of 2025) | 42 years |
| Birthplace | Pilani, Rajasthan, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Profession | Journalist, Anchor, Managing Editor |
| Current Role | Managing Editor at Firstpost |
| Previous Roles | Managing Editor at WION; Anchor at CNN-News18 |
| Education | Master’s in Communication & Journalism (ICG Jaipur); C1 French (Alliance Française) twitter.com+15theopinionatedindian.com+15hafi.pro+15 |
| Marital Status | Married to Sanket Upadhyay (journalist) since 2008 |
| Children | Two (including daughter Manya) |
| Entrepreneurial Venture | Founder — Reyva Saree brand |
Early Life & Background
Palki Sharma was born on 29 May 1982 in Pilani, Rajasthan, India. She was raised in an intellectually grounded family with a focus on education and values. Her early exposure to reading, languages, and current events sparked her curiosity and fueled her desire to pursue a career in media.
Palki Sharma Education
She holds a Master’s degree in Communication and Journalism from ICG, Jaipur. Palki also pursued a certified French language course from Alliance Française, earning proficiency at the C1 level. Her command of global languages reflects her inclination toward international storytelling and diplomacy.
Palki Sharma Family
Palki is married to Sanket Upadhyay, a fellow journalist. The couple is blessed with two children. They live in Delhi, maintaining a relatively private personal life.
She is also an entrepreneur, having founded Reyva, a designer saree brand that reflects her love for Indian ethnic fashion.
Palki Sharma Career
Doordarshan (2002–2004)
Palki began her career at Doordarshan, India’s public broadcaster, where she hosted regional and national news bulletins. This period helped her build on-the-ground reporting skills and an authentic news presence.
Hindustan Times & CNN-News18 (2004–2016)
She briefly worked with Hindustan Times as a copy editor before joining CNN-News18, where she anchored prime-time news shows. Her credibility as a political and foreign affairs analyst grew, and she won the Best News Reader Award in 2007.
WION (2016–2022)
Palki’s most defining career chapter unfolded at WION (World Is One News), where she served as Managing Editor. She hosted the global news show Gravitas, bringing context to complex international stories like the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, India-China tensions, and climate diplomacy. Her sharp presentation style and factual storytelling gained her a global audience.
Firstpost (2022–Present)
In 2022, Palki moved to Firstpost, a part of the Network18 group, to launch a multi-format digital news venture. She currently hosts “Flashback with Palki” and “Between the Lines”, where she continues to decode international and national issues with clarity and conviction.
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Palki Sharma Awards & Recognition
- Best News Reader Award – 2007
- ENBA Award for Best International News Show – Gravitas – 2020
- Bharat Asmita Jana Jagran Shreshta Award – 2023
- Recognized as a speaker at Harvard, LSE, and various global media summits.
Signature Style & Influence
Palki is known for her no-nonsense approach, polished articulation, and data-backed opinions. She often draws comparisons to global anchors like Christiane Amanpour due to her gravitas and subject knowledge. Her Gravitas Plus explainers are especially praised for simplifying global conflicts, treaties, and political events.
Social Media Presence
Palki maintains a strong presence on platforms like Twitter (X) and Instagram, where she shares professional insights, show clips, and travel moments.
| Platform | Handle | Followers |
| X (Twitter) | @palkisu | ~830K followers |
| @palkisharmaupadhyay | ~1,6 million followers |
Palki Sharma Net Worth
Palki Sharma’s estimated net worth is around ₹3–5 crore INR (approx. $400K–700K), primarily from:
| Income Source | Estimated Value (INR / USD) |
| Salary (Firstpost, media roles) | ₹2–3 crore / $250K–350K annually |
| Brand & Speaker Engagements | ₹30–50 lakh annually |
| Saree Business (Reyva) | ₹20–30 lakh annual |
| Total Estimated Net Worth | ₹3–5 crore INR (~$400K–700K USD |
Palki Sharma Physical Appearance
| Attribute | Details |
| Height | Approx. 5′7″ (170 cm) |
| Weight | Approx. 65 kg (143 lbs) |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Style | Elegant—often seen in sarees or formal wear |
Interesting Facts about Palki Sharma
- She speaks fluent French.
- Launched her own saree label named Reyva.
- She was praised by PM Modi for her Oxford speech on India’s progress.
- Often quoted on international news for her take on India’s diplomacy.
- Started her career with Doordarshan, India’s oldest news channel.
- Is known for simplifying complex global issues into accessible explainers.
- Has a loyal following in India, the US, and the Middle East.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. Who is Palki Sharma Upadhyay?
She is an award-winning Indian journalist and current Managing Editor of Firstpost.
Q2. What is Palki Sharma known for?
She is best known for hosting Gravitas on WION and her digital news shows at Firstpost.
Q3. Is Palki Sharma married?
Yes, she is married to journalist Sanket Upadhyay.
Q4. What is her net worth?
Approximately ₹3–5 crore INR.
Q5. Has she received any awards?
Yes, including the Best News Reader Award (2007) and ENBA Award (2020).
Q6. What is Reyva?
Reyva is her personal fashion brand that focuses on designer sarees.
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