businessline’s 8th Changemaker Awards ready for kick-off

The eighth annual Changemaker Awards, organized by The Hindu Business Line, are set to commence in New Delhi on September 22, 2026. The prestigious event, which recognizes individuals and organizations making significant societal transformations, will be graced by Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as the chief guest for the third time in seven years.

The conference, presented by Sastra Deemed University and backed by City Union Bank, boasts an impressive lineup of associate partners including State Bank of India, Life Insurance Corporation of India, and various government bodies.

A total of 1,600 nominations were received across five categories, with businessline journalists and knowledge partners Ashoka Foundation and Deloitte also nominating potential candidates. The entries underwent rigorous screening rounds before the awards categories - Social, Digital, and Financial Transformation, Young Changemaker, and Iconic Changemaker - were announced. The Iconic Changemaker nominees were selected by the businessline editorial team and knowledge partners.

Established in 2018, the awards have held seven editions thus far, with the 2021 event cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The jury for the 2026 edition includes esteemed members such as Justice (Retired) Prabha Sridevan and prominent leaders Suresh Narayanan, Safeena Hussain, and others. The awards span six categories: Changemaker: Financial Transformation; Changemaker: Digital Transformation; Changemaker: Social Transformation, Young Changemaker, Changemaker of the Year, and Iconic Changemaker.

In 2025, DRDO took home the Changemaker of the Year award, while the Azim Premji Foundation was named Iconic Changemaker. Other recipients included Araku Valley Coffee for Financial Transformation, Bhashini for Digital Transformation, Impulse NGO Network for Social Transformation, and Kalyani Shinde and the Young Tinker Foundation for Young Changemaker. The awards ceremony for 2025 was presided over by Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri.