All India Radio

For the electronica band, see All India Radio (band)

All India Radio is a radio broadcaster operated by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India.

Radio broadcasting began in India in 1927, with two privately-owned transmitters at Mumbai and Calcutta. These were nationalized in 1930, and operated under the name Indian Broadcasting Service until 1936 when it was renamed to All India Radio (AIR). Although officially renamed again to Akashvani (आकाशवाणी) in 1957, it is still popularly known as "All India Radio".

All India Radio covers 99.37% of the people of india , the largest democracy in the world. It has approximately 200 broadcasting centres and transmits in 24 different languages. Inspite of the Recent penetration of other media such as Cable TV, all India radio still remains the poor mans means of gaining access to information and entertainment. A low end MW receiver costs less than $2 which is approximately 100 Indian rupees , hence making it possible for the people of all strata to afford one.