NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 to bring together leaders across business, sport, and culture

The event recognizes people and institutions whose work has genuinely shaped the country, not just made headlines. This year's edition, themed 'Ideas. Inspiration. Impact', happens December 19 in New Delhi, and the guest list reflects the kind of gathering that doesn't happen often.

Hon'ble Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant, will be there, which underlines the stature of the evening. His presence isn't just ceremonial either, it is a testament to the event’s stature. The attendee list spans business, governance, sport, science, and culture. Sridhar Vembu, who built Zoho into a global software company while staying rooted in India, will be present. So will Sunil Vachani, whose Dixon Technologies has become central to India's push into electronics manufacturing at scale. Jay Shah, now chairing the International Cricket Council, represents India's growing influence in global sports administration. Shubhanshu Shukla, India's astronaut pushing the country's space ambitions forward, adds another dimension to the evening.

Indian women's cricket gets significant representation as well. Harmanpreet Kaur, who captained the team to ICC ODI World Cup victory, will be there alongside teammates Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma. Amol Muzumdar, Head Coach of the Indian Women's Cricket Team, rounds out the group. Together, they represent a shift in how the country thinks about women's sport—not as a side story but as a central narrative.

Cinema and popular culture bring another layer. Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor, Aryan Khan, and Ahaan Panday represent the evolving face of Indian entertainment. Their inclusion reflects how cultural influence now operates across platforms, generations, and formats that didn't exist when this award started.

This year's edition covers 14 categories spanning business leadership, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sports, entertainment, culture, and science. That breadth matters. It's not just about celebrating one type of achievement but recognizing that impact comes from multiple directions.

Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief at NDTV, framed it clearly: "NDTV Indian of the Year has always been about recognising those who move India forward—through ideas, conviction, and the courage to lead. As India steps into a defining decade, this edition reflects the energy of a renewed NDTV and celebrates individuals and institutions shaping the possibilities of a new India."

The 2025 edition honors people whose work reflects conviction, purpose, and the ability to influence how things change. In a year when India's positioning itself for the next decade of growth and global presence, that focus feels particularly timely. December 19 will be one of those rare evenings when many of the people shaping that trajectory are in the same room.