The appraisal season has triggered alarm bells within NDTV this year, with the management putting at least 100 employees on performance improvement plans while grading each of them as an “inconsistent performer”.
A notice to these employees signed by NDTV CEO and editor-in-chief Sanjay Pugalia said, “It has been observed that certain aspects of your performance have not met the expected standards. As such, after due consideration and deliberation with your manager and HOD, your performance rating in the FY 24-25 appraisal period is inconsistent performer.”
The letter urged such employees to “schedule a meeting with your manager to discuss a structured improvement plan” that “aligns with both your professional growth and the department's goals”. “If significant improvement is not demonstrated and the same is not formally communicated by your manager to HR, it may become necessary to re-evaluate your services with our company. In such a case, your last working day, inclusive of notice, will be June 30, 2025.”
Among those who have received such notices are an anchor and staffers from editorial, digital, PCR, technical, production, and management teams, Newslaundry has learnt.
While the internal communication signed by Pugalia mentioned a structured improvement plan, several of those who have received such notices are sceptical.
“There is a tussle between the old and the new within NDTV (after the Adani Group takeover)...those who have remained are being fired in this way. I have been associated with NDTV for 15 years. I am available to work for the organisation 18 out of 24 hours. Despite this, I was put in the ‘inconsistent performer’ category…If my work was bad, I would not have worked at one place for so long,” said a staffer who has received the notice.
Another employee claimed that those who had received such notices had already assumed that June 30 “is their last day of work”.
Newslaundry reached out to Pugalia and NDTV Group’s Chief People Officer Purva Misra for comment. This report will be updated if a response is received.
A series of prominent television faces have joined NDTV after its acquisition by Adani. In 2023, Sumit Awasthi and Marya Shakil left ABP News and CNN-News 18, respectively, to take over top editorial roles. This month, there has been speculation that Rahul Kanwal is also set to take up a top editorial role at the channel.
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