Indian Express launches Patna Edition

The Indian Express has launched its Patna edition, making it the eleventh edition of the newspaper across the country. The move marks a strategic expansion into Bihar, a state known for its deep political engagement and social awareness, just months ahead of the state’s upcoming assembly elections.

The edition was formally inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at his residence in Patna. Recalling the newspaper’s role during the Emergency in 1975, Kumar said The Indian Express had consistently stood for democratic values and journalistic integrity. “Good journalism empowers the citizen and is fundamental to good governance,” he said.

The Patna launch comes in the year that marks fifty years since the imposition of Emergency, adding historical significance to the occasion.

Speaking at the event, Indian Express Chairman Viveck Goenka called the launch “a homecoming,” noting that Bihar’s political history and civic participation made it a natural place for the newspaper to expand its presence. He said the Patna edition would focus on delivering investigative and explanatory journalism rooted in facts and public interest.

The launch was welcomed across the political spectrum. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary described it as a moment of pride for Bihar. RJD MP Manoj Kumar Jha said The Indian Express had maintained its commitment to serious journalism and editorial rigour. Congress leader Krishna Allavaru said he hoped the new edition would raise the standard for journalism in the region.

The Patna edition joins a network that includes Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Lucknow, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Pune, Nagpur, Chandigarh and Vadodara. The Indian Express stated that the move aligns with its long-standing mission to expand its footprint in regions with strong public engagement and to bring underrepresented voices into the national conversation.