Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on 28 July 2026 presented the NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards 2026 in New Delhi, recognising corporate leaders and institutions whose decisions are shaping India's economic trajectory. The winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process by a jury chaired by Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises.

Finance Minister's Address

Sitharaman, the chief guest, situated the evening's celebrations within the broader pressures confronting India and the global economy. She spoke at length about the impact of the conflict in West Asia on energy prices, trade flows, and supply chains, as well as the risks posed by El Niño and erratic rainfall patterns across the country.

She highlighted the resilience of Indian industry through cycles of geopolitical tension, volatile commodity prices, and global uncertainty, noting that businesses had continued to invest, manufacture, innovate, and create employment despite difficult conditions. Sitharaman also referenced the government's response to student concerns following the Gen Z protests in New Delhi, stressing the importance of listening when young people raise their voices collectively and responding through dialogue and timely action.

Key Award Winners

Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman of Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., was honoured as India Business Icon. Anish Shah, Group CEO and Managing Director of Mahindra Group, was named Business Leader of the Year.

Capt Jagmohan, IN (Retd.), Chairman and Managing Director of Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, received the Business Leader of the Year – PSU award. The Financial Powerhouse of the Year – PSU honour went to State Bank of India (SBI), accepted by Chairman CS Setty.

Godrej Properties, represented by Nadir Godrej, Chairperson of Godrej Industries Group, was named Green Champion of the Year. Falguni Nayar, Founder and CEO of Nykaa, was recognised as Trailblazer of the Year.

The Wealth Creator of the Year award went to BSE, represented by Managing Director and CEO S. Ramamurthy. Tata Electronics, led by CEO and Managing Director Dr. Randhir Thakur, was recognised as India's Atmanirbharta Champion.

The Philanthropist of the Year honour recognised the contributions of Kiran Nadar and Shiv Nadar, with Kiran Nadar receiving the award. Shriram Finance, represented by Managing Director and CEO Parag Sharma, was named Financial Powerhouse of the Year. Delhivery, represented by CEO and Co-Founder Sahil Barua, received the New Economy Leader of the Year award. The AI Champion of the Year award went to Sarvam AI, represented by Co-Founder Dr. Vivek Raghavan.

What Organisers Said

Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, said: 'The NDTV Profit Business Leadership Awards celebrate leadership that matters — leadership that builds institutions, creates value, strengthens trust and contributes to India's larger growth story.' He added that this year's winners 'reflect a country that is building with greater confidence, competing with greater purpose and developing the capabilities required to shape its own future.'

Significance of the Awards

The awards span sectors from pharmaceuticals and defence shipbuilding to fintech, logistics, and artificial intelligence — a cross-section that mirrors the breadth of India's current economic ambition. Notably, the inclusion of a dedicated AI Champion category signals how rapidly the technology has moved from fringe to mainstream in India's corporate conversation. The event underscores the increasing convergence of public-sector enterprise and private innovation as twin engines of growth.