NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 Concludes With Focus On India's Growth, AI And Next-Gen Leadership
The awards recognise leadership across India's corporate sector after a two-stage selection process combining financial screening and evaluation by an independent jury.
The NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 concluded with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman outlining the government's vision for sustained economic growth, youth empowerment, startups and artificial intelligence, while business leaders highlighted India's expanding consumption story and technology ambitions. The evening also recognised industry leaders across sectors, with Dilip Shanghvi, Anish Shah, Falguni Nayar, Vivek Raghavan, Sahil Barua, C.S. Setty and others honoured for their contributions to India's corporate and economic landscape.
Winners At A Glance
The NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 honoured leaders across business, finance, technology, sustainability and philanthropy. Here's the full list of winners:
- India Business Icon: Dilip Shanghvi, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries
- Business Leader of the Year: Anish Shah, Mahindra & Mahindra
- Financial Powerhouse of the Year (PSU): C.S. Setty, State Bank of India
- India's Atmanirbharta Champion: Dr. Randhir Thakur, Tata Electronics
- Business Leader of the Year (PSU): Captain Jagmohan, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
- Green Champion of the Year: Nadir Godrej
- Philanthropist of the Year: Kiran and Shiv Nadar
- Trailblazer of the Year: Falguni Nayar, Nykaa
- Financial Powerhouse of the Year (Non-PSU): Parag Sharma, Shriram Finance
- Wealth Creator of the Year: S. Ramamurthy, BSE
- New Economy Leader of the Year: Sahil Barua, Delhivery
- AI Leader of the Year: Vivek Raghavan, Sarvam AI
India Business Icon: Dilip Shanghvi - Sun Pharmaceutical
Dilip Shanghvi, Chairman and Managing Director of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, received the India Business Icon award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Rekha Krishnaswamy, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Ramesh Damani and Noel Tata.
Financial Powerhouse Of The Year (PSU): CS Setty
CS Setty, Chairman of State Bank of India, received the Financial Powerhouse of the Year (PSU) award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026.
India's Atmanirbharta Champion: Dr Randhir Thakur, CEO At Tata Electronics
Dr Randhir Thakur, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Tata Electronics, received the India's Atmanirbharta Champion award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Tamanna Inamdar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Jayant Sinha.
Business Leader Of The Year (PSU): Captain Jagmohan, Chairman At Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
Captain Jagmohan, Chairman and Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd., received the Business Leader of the Year (PSU) award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Tamanna Inamdar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Sanjay Agarwal.
Green Champion Of The Year
Nadir Godrej, Chairperson of Godrej Industries, received the Green Champion of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Tamanna Inamdar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Sanjay Agarwal.
Philanthropist Of The Year: Kiran Nadar And Shiv Nadar
Kiran Nadar and Shiv Nadar received the Philanthropist of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026.
Finance Minister On Nykaa
Speaking at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the rise of startups in India "cannot be better portrayed than Nykaa", citing the company as an example of how Indian startups are scaling to new heights.
Speaking after receiving the Trailblazer of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Nykaa Founder and Chief Executive Officer Falguni Nayar said India's consumption story continues to strengthen, adding that consumer demand is growing steadily across the country.
Trailblazer Of The Year
Falguni Nayar, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Nykaa, received the Trailblazer of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026.
Financial Powerhouse Of The Year: Parag Sharma, Chief Executive Officer Of Shriram Finance
Financial Powerhouse Of The Year
Parag Sharma, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Shriram Finance, received the Financial Powerhouse of the Year (Non-PSU) award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Indu Shahani.
Wealth Creator Of The Year: BSE
Wealth Creator Of The Year
S Ramamurthy, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of BSE, received the Wealth Creator of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Cyril Shroff.
New Economy Leader Of The Year: Sahil Barua, Delhivery
New Economy Leader Of The Year
Sahil Barua, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Delhivery, received the New Economy Leader of the Year award at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Noel Tata, Cyril Shroff and Prasanna Mohile.
Finance Minister On Sarvam AI
Speaking about Sarvam AI, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the company had approached the government during the Budget preparations with a proposal to make the Budget speech available in all national languages with a delay of less than 30 seconds.
AI Vision
Accepting the award, Sarvam AI co-founder Vivek Raghavan said artificial intelligence will transform everything from businesses to governance. He said India must build capabilities across the AI stack, from the infrastructure layer to the application layer, to remain globally competitive.
AI Leader Of The Year: Vivek Raghavan, Saravam AI
AI Leader Of The Year
Sarvam AI was named AI Leader of the Year at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was received by Vivek Raghavan, Co-founder of Sarvam AI.
Business Leader Of The Year: Anish Shah
Business Leader Of The Year
Anish Shah was named Business Leader of the Year at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The award was presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Noel Tata.
Award Ceremony Begins
The NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 ceremony is now underway, bringing together policymakers, business leaders and industry executives to recognise excellence in corporate leadership and discuss India's economic growth, innovation and policy priorities.
Finance Minister Says Government Must Speak The Language Of Gen Z
Addressing the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said official messaging cannot be too casual as every government statement can be tested in court, adding that clarity must be balanced with legal precision and remain within legal boundaries.
Finance Minister Says Government Never Tried To Stop Student Protests
Addressing the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman defended the government's handling of student protests, saying, "We didn't try at any time to stop the protest at all." She said every generation protests when it is young and added that the government's responsibility was to ensure the re-examination was conducted on time so that students did not lose an academic year.
She also said Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan took a wise call after the re-examination results by offering to resign.
Finance Minister Highlights Expansion Of Higher Education, Calls For Industry Investment In Talent
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the number of universities has increased from 723 in 2014 to 1,340, while colleges have risen from 36,600 to 52,000. She said the country now has more than 2,100 medical colleges, with 1.3 lakh MBBS seats and 85,000 postgraduate medical seats added. She also said the number of AIIMS has increased from eight to 23 over the past 12 years and urged industry to invest boldly in talent.
Finance Minister Highlights Rise In Startups, Entrepreneur Support
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the number of recognised startups has risen from 340 in 2014 to more than 2.2 lakh today. She also said 12 crore new entrepreneurs have received loans under government-backed initiatives.
Finance Minister Highlights Khelo India, Sports Infrastructure Push
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Khelo India programme is identifying sporting talent across villages. She said the National Sports Policy focuses on modern infrastructure, medical support, performance analysis and international exposure. More than 63,000 students have participated through Khelo India, while national sports facilities are providing world-class coaching and early international exposure. She also said Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
Finance Minister Highlights AI Infrastructure, Internship Push
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said AI infrastructure is being built in Tier-II and Tier-III cities. She said 27 AI labs have been established, with approval granted for another 543 labs. She also said the PM Internship Programme is providing young people with exposure to India's top 500 companies.
Finance Minister Highlights Jobs Push, Skill Development Measures
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the government has earmarked Rs 1 lakh crore for the PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana, which aims to create 3.5 crore jobs. She said 1.6 crore young people have received free training under 200 courses, while Rs 60,000 crore has been allocated to modernise 1,000 Industrial Training Institutes.
Finance Minister Says Orange Economy Proposal Came From College Students
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the Budget announcement on the orange economy was based on a suggestion from college students. She also said the government has distributed more than 1.2 million appointment letters as part of its employment initiatives.
Finance Minister Says Government Is Focused On Addressing Youth Challenges
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the challenges faced by young people remain a key concern for the government. She said one of the first steps taken after the Budget was to begin discussions with the youth to better understand their aspirations and concerns.
Finance Minister Says Farmers And Young Indians Have More Opportunities
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Indian farmers now have access to global markets for their produce. She added that young Indians have greater choices and clearer pathways to work and build their futures, while stressing that there has been no reduction in the quality of government expenditure.
Finance Minister Says Regulation Should Enable, Not Hinder, Growth
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said regulation should serve as a guard rail rather than a toll gate. She said India's binding constraints are no longer roads or ports and added that the country has steadily expanded its economic partnerships over the years.
Finance Minister Says Economy Has Stayed Resilient Despite Global Headwinds
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India's growth momentum has remained resilient despite global headwinds. She added that the government has also extended the validity of licences and certificates as part of its efforts to improve ease of doing business.
Finance Minister Says GST, PMI And Vehicle Sales Reflect Economic Strength
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said recent GST collections and PMI readings remain healthy. She added that vehicle sales data also point to continued strength in economic activity.
Finance Minister Says India Remains The Fastest-Growing Major Economy
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India has entered the second half of the year as the world's fastest-growing major economy. She said the country's growth momentum remains broad-based, reflecting strength across multiple sectors of the economy.
Finance Minister Says India's Growth Story Is Built On Resilience And Agile Policymaking
Addressing the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said India's growth story is one of resilience and agile policymaking. She said the country's ability to adapt to changing economic conditions has helped shape its growth trajectory.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman Begins Keynote Address
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has taken the stage at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 to deliver the keynote address. Stay with us as we bring you the key announcements and highlights from her speech in real time.
Vijay Kedia Says India Should Prepare For Rising Competition, Backs Renewables And Data Centres
Speaking at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, investor Vijay Kedia said India should prepare for rising global competitiveness. He said renewable energy has emerged as his preferred sector and added that he remains bullish on data centres and the cables industry.
Raamdeo Agrawal Says Global Companies, Startups And Quick Commerce Offer Growth Opportunities
Speaking at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026, Motilal Oswal Financial Services Chairman Raamdeo Agrawal said currency movements remain a key risk for investors to monitor. He said he is looking at private companies with a global outlook and described this as an exciting period for startups and quick commerce. Agrawal added that the expansion of quick commerce is likely to support consumption.
Sanjay Agarwal Says AU SFB's Balance Sheet Has Expanded 20-Fold In A Decade
AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the lender's balance sheet has grown 20-fold over the past 10 years. He added that the first quarter of FY27 has been one of the bank's strongest in the past decade, while cautioning that the crisis in West Asia could affect some sectors of the economy.
If he wasn’t a stock market investor, what would Ramesh Damani be? Here’s his answer.
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Sanjay Agarwal Says India Needs More Banks Like HDFC Bank
Sanjay Agarwal said India needs more banks like HDFC Bank. He made the remark while discussing the country's banking landscape and the role of strong institutions in supporting long-term economic growth.
Sanjay Agarwal Says AU SFB Wants To Build A Lasting Institution
AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal said the goal is to build a bank that endures over the long term, adding that private enterprises should be built with efficiency and that leaders must think beyond personal gains.
Sanjay Agarwal Says AU SFB Aims To Be Among India's Top Three Private Banks By 2047
AU Small Finance Bank MD and CEO Sanjay Agarwal outlined the lender's long-term ambition, saying it aims to be among India's top three private sector banks by 2047.
Sanjay Agarwal Says Trust And Accountability Are Key To Building A Business
Speaking during the fireside chat, AU Small Finance Bank CEO and MD Sanjay Agarwal said building a business in India requires capable leadership backed by accountability and honesty. He said these values remain essential for creating and sustaining a successful enterprise.
AU Small Finance Bank CEO Traces Lender's Journey From NBFC To India's Largest SFB
Speaking during the fireside chat, AU Small Finance Bank CEO and MD Sanjay Agarwal said the institution began as a non-banking financial company in 2008 and has since grown into India's largest small finance bank. He outlined the lender's growth journey as the conversation with NDTV Profit Managing Editor Tamanna Inamdar got underway.
Sanjay Agarwal Joins Tamanna Inamdar For Fireside Conversation
Tamanna Inamdar, Managing Editor of NDTV Profit, is in conversation with Sanjay Agarwal, CEO and MD of AU Small Finance Bank, to discuss leadership, banking and the evolving financial services landscape.
Ramesh Damani Urges Investors To Stay Invested For Long-Term Returns
Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani urged investors to remain bullish and stay invested for the long term. He said the power of compounding is one of the biggest advantages of long-term investing and described the longevity of returns as an extraordinary driver of wealth creation.
Ramesh Damani Says Economic Centre Of Gravity Is Shifting Towards Asia
‘Dow is at its peak…rest of the world will start taking leadership from America… economic gravity is shifting to Asia,’ says ace investor Ramesh Damani at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026.#NDTVProfitBLA2026 #BusinessLeadershipAwards @TamannaInamdar pic.twitter.com/5uo7Atle6A
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For the long term view, this is the right time to invest says Ramesh Damani, Veteran Investor & Member at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 #NDTVProfitBLA2026 #BusinessLeadershipAwards @TamannaInamdar pic.twitter.com/TCVaG5rLow
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Jayant Sinha Says India Invests About $5 Billion A Year In AI
Jayant Sinha said India is investing about $5 billion annually in artificial intelligence. He said continued investment in AI will be important as the country builds capabilities in emerging technologies and strengthens its long-term growth prospects.
Jayant Sinha Says India Should Raise Investment To 40% Of GDP
Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Jayant Sinha said India should aim to increase investment to 40% of its gross domestic product to support long-term economic growth. He said higher investment would be important as the country positions itself alongside major global economic and investment trends.
Ramesh Damani Says India Needs Foreign Investment To Sustain High Growth
Market expert Ramesh Damani said India cannot achieve an 8% growth rate without sustained foreign investment. He said foreign direct investment is increasingly flowing into sectors such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence. Damani also said the US market appears to be nearing its peak, while noting that China continues to remain ahead of India in several areas.
Jayant Sinha Urges India To Align With Long-Term Global Investment Trends
Jayant Sinha said India should position itself alongside long-term global trends in an age of disruption. He said the country must reduce its dependence on fossil fuels and China, while remaining focused on major investment themes that will shape future economic growth.
Ramesh Damani Says India's Demographics Support Long-Term Growth, Sees Opportunity Beyond AI
Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani said India's demographic profile and economic fundamentals remain supportive of long-term growth. He added that sectors less exposed to artificial intelligence could perform well in the years ahead.
Anish Shah Says Indian Companies Have Responded Well To Disruptions
Mahindra Group CEO and MD Anish Shah said organisations should foster a culture of empowerment to navigate change. He said markets have been demanding on companies, but corporates have responded well to successive disruptions. Shah added that India remains well placed despite the evolving global environment.
Jayant Sinha Says Investors Should Back Long-Term Trends In An Era Of Disruption
Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Jayant Sinha said businesses and investors are operating in an age of disruption as major market forces continue to shift. He said macroeconomic trends are driving investment decisions and stressed the importance of being on the right side of these long-term forces. Sinha added that investors should remain mindful of broad investment trends, describing them as largely predictable over time.
Ramesh Damani Says Long-Term Investors Should Look Beyond Market Volatility
During the Leadership Dialogue, investor Ramesh Damani said this is the right time to invest for those with a long-term perspective. Calling the market "a volatile beast", he said investors need the right temperament to navigate fluctuations and stay focused on long-term wealth creation.
Anish Shah Says Strategy, Resilience And Empowerment Are Key To Leadership
Speaking during the Leadership Dialogue, Mahindra Group CEO and MD Anish Shah said clarity of strategy helps organisations navigate periods of volatility. He said resilience is built by steering businesses through challenging times and stressed the need to foster a culture of empowerment.
Leadership Dialogue Begins With Focus On Growth, Capital And India's Next Phase
The Leadership Dialogue is now underway at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. Moderated by Nisha Poddar, the panel brings together Ramesh Damani, Anish Shah, Vivek Prasad and Jayant Sinha to discuss India's economic outlook, investment opportunities, corporate leadership and the factors shaping the country's next phase of growth. Stay with us for the key takeaways from the discussion.
Pernod Ricard Calls India Its Largest Market By Volume, Bets On Premiumisation And Local Innovation
Prasanna Mohile of Pernod Ricard says India has become the company's largest market by volume and its second largest by value, underscoring the country's growing importance to its global business. He says India's resilient domestic demand, favourable demographics and improving ease of doing business continue to support long-term growth. Mohile adds that the consumer story has moved beyond aspiration, with greater focus on value and premium products.
He says Pernod Ricard is investing in local innovation, strengthening manufacturing capabilities and aligning its strategy with the government's Make in India initiative.
Opening Remarks: Pernod Ricard Opens Event With Vote Of Confidence In India's Growth Story
The opening remarks are underway at the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. Pernod Ricard says India continues to stand out amid global economic uncertainty, supported by resilient domestic demand and an improving business environment. Ricard also points to the emergence of new consumption categories and says its own journey in the country has been closely linked to India's economic growth. Stay with us for more updates as the ceremony gets underway.
Countdown
The ceremony is set to begin shortly. Stay with NDTV Profit for live updates, key moments, speeches and the complete list of winners as they are announced.
Wealth Creator Watch
Companies that have delivered sustained value to shareholders are in contention for the Wealth Creator of the Year award. The category includes businesses from financial markets, manufacturing and specialty chemicals.
AI In Focus
Artificial intelligence is among the key themes at this year's awards. Companies working in AI have been shortlisted for the AI Champion category, reflecting the growing role of the technology across industries.
Award Watch
The ceremony will present honours across categories including Business Leader of the Year, New Economy Leader, Financial Powerhouse, Wealth Creator, AI Champion and Green Champion.
How Winners Were Chosen
The awards follow a two-stage selection process. Eligible companies were first shortlisted using financial and business performance metrics before the independent jury made the final selections.
Jury Watch
The winners were selected by an independent jury chaired by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises. The panel includes leaders from business, finance, law and public policy.
From The Venue
The venue is preparing to welcome nominees, jury members and industry leaders. The awards ceremony is expected to begin shortly, with winners to be announced across multiple categories through the evening.
Setting The Stage
India's business leaders, entrepreneurs and policymakers are gathering for the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026. The ceremony will recognise companies and executives across sectors after an evaluation process led by an independent jury.
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