The national radio stations in India have brought about an easy and portable way of entertainment across the country. With the passage of time, radio has become an intimate mode of entertainment and recreation. Almost every household of India is well acquainted with the idea of radio and FM and the national radio stations assure its coverage in almost all the corners of the nation.

The birth of Radio broadcasting in India was started on an experimental basis in the year 1921 when Times of India in collaboration with Post and Telegraph Department started to broadcast a musical programme. Sir George Lloyd put forward this request to those concerned companies. In 1927 private radio clubs multiplied and in the year 1930 radio broadcasting started operating under the Indian Broadcasting Company. However, the company went into insolvency after a span of three years and the Government took the charge of broadcasting at their own expense. On March 1935 a separate office of the Controller of Broadcasting was created .The landmark in the history of broadcasting is the change of the name of the Indian Broadcasting to All India Radio (AIR) in the year 1936. In the same year the Delhi station of AIR was formed.

All India Radio was the first national radio station and till date all the affiliated stations of AIR are considered to be a nationally operating one. The national radio stations like 106.4 FM Radio Gold, AIR FM Rainbow and Gyan Vani are some of the most prominent national radio stations, associated with AIR radio station.

The national radio stations are controlled by the central government and the curriculum revolves around social welfare and national issues. The rural audiences are highly benefited by these national radio stations, which discuss the villagers` problems and solve them through this interactive medium. Radio being the cheapest medium of communication, national radio stations can serve as the best means to reach the poor homes. The national radio stations often cater to the needs of the students by conducting educational programs, relevant to different standards.

Lately, radio has become a vast media in India and private radio channels or FM channels have acquired a national status, owing to their magnanimous coverage area. Big FM, Club FM 94.3, Fever 104 FM, Radio City, Radio Mirchi, Red FM are some among the many national radio stations in India, working successfully.