MUMBAI: Sudarshan TV has been granted the go ahead by the Information and Broadcasting ministry to launch its 24 hour news and current affairs channel.

In 2006, Sudarshan TV was granted permission to air its news channel. Since certain provisional regulations were yet to be completed the channel roped in an international satellite 3 Thaicom for its distribution and telecast. The channel was launched on a relatively small scale.

An official statement claims that despite the limited base, the channel has managed to set up a strong network of journalists and bureaus across the country. The channel has also set up a few international bureaus.

The Information and Broadcasting ministry on 8 February took into account the progress of the channel and has now permitted it to telecast 24 / 7. The medium of communication is Hindi and the official Sudarshan TV website claims that it is India's first 'social-patriotic Hindi Satellite TV channel with the prime aim of covering the Deo, Desh, and Dharma (God, country and religion).The emphasis of the channel is clearly on projecting India as a art, cultural ,historical and socio-religious destination.

The channel is now available through the Indian government's ISRO INSAT 4A satellite. Currently the channel is free to air.