At the India Today Conclave 2026, a significant live news meeting showcased discussions among veteran editors from the India Today Group regarding the next issue's cover story. The meeting, hosted by senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai, began with a question directed at Arun Puri, the chairman of India Today Group, asking about the fundamental tenets he uses for selecting cover stories. Puri highlighted three critical considerations: the relevance of the topic at the moment, its significance to the audience, and the potential future developments related to the story.

Participating in the meeting were other prominent figures including Raj Chengappa, the news director (publishing), and seasoned journalists such as TN Nainan, Prabhu Chawla, Shekhar Gupta, Swapan Dasgupta, and Kaveree Bamzai. Each editor contributed their ideas for potential cover stories, which were evaluated and discussed collectively. Among the proposed concepts, four main ideas emerged as the most favored options for the upcoming issue, including "The High Price of War," "The LPG Crisis," and others that were indicative of urgent national and global issues.

This brainstorming session exemplified the editorial process at India Today and its commitment to addressing significant themes relevant to current events. By engaging established editors in the discussion, the conclave aimed to not only enhance the quality of journalism but also ensure that the reported stories resonate with the public's concerns and the broader socio-political context.