Puneet Gupt Appointed Chairperson of DNPA, Signaling New Phase for India’s Digital Publishing Industry

Puneet Gupt becomes DNPA Chairperson, marking a key leadership shift as digital publishers navigate AI disruption, policy challenges, and the evolving future of news media.

on Mar 25, 2026

Puneet Gupt Appointed Chairperson of DNPA, Signaling New Phase for India’s Digital Publishing Industry

In what is viewed as a significant change in leadership in India's digital media, Puneet Gupt has been named chairman of the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA). This announcement follows a recent meeting of the DNPA Board to reflect on this pivotal moment within the marketplace, as well as to discuss the rapid transformation of the digital publishing ecosystem.Puneet Gupt currently holds the position of Chief Operating Officer for Times Internet; he succeeds Mariam Mammen Mathew, who has officially completed her two-year term with the DNPA as chairperson of the association. Prior to serving as DNPA chairman, Puneet held the position of vice-chairman, giving him considerable experience and a thorough knowledge of DNPA's current initiatives and challenges.

As part of this leadership transition, Anant Goenka has been appointed Vice-Chairman of the DNPA, while Dhruba Mukherjee will remain in his role as Treasurer. With these moves, the DNPA will have a significantly more effective leadership team in place to guide it through this transition.

The timing of this transition could not be more important, as digital news publishers face the continuing challenges of content monetisation, shifting distribution, and the influence of artificial intelligence. Gupt explains that we are currently experiencing one of history's greatest transitions, as advances in technology redefine how content is discovered and what consumers will pay for content.

He emphasized that DNPA as the collective voice of digital publishers, has never been more important than now. Under his direction, the emphasis will be on proactively shaping policy frameworks and ensuring fair practices for publishers in an AI enhanced world rather than just coping with these changes.

Meeting the collective needs of all the members involved in digital publishing, all the chairs reiterated, is the most effective way to tap into new opportunities and respond to the emerging challenges facing the industry.

Industry leaders interpreted the leadership transition as a collaborative strategy to strengthen DNPA’s ability to influence policy development, conduct commercial negotiations, and the larger digital ecosystem of which DNPA is a part of. The DNPA continues to be a tireless advocate for sustainable growth, fair monetisation models, and increased representation of its members’ interests in the evolving media landscape.

With the continued intersection of digital publishing, technology, regulation and global platforms, this new leadership team is well positioned to have a significant impact on the future of online news in India.