<p>Television has remarkably affected our daily lives and is considered as the most versatile, influential and persuasive medium. Television continues to be used the world over as a source of endless entertainment and information and India is no exception. Prior to cable and satellite channels, television in India was represented by Doordarshan. Even today Doordarshan enjoys highest viewership in the country. The paper traces the rise of Indian television from early times when it was started in India for promoting development and the cause of marginalized to the contemporary times.</p>