India stands at a threshold moment — defined by the imagination of its people and the power of their intent.

Across every field, individuals and enterprises are reimagining what’s possible — building, creating, and leading with purpose. 

It signals a new kind of confidence – so pronounced and visible in a new, resurgent India. It is their collective strength that propels the country into global leadership and inspires an entire generation to think differently, act decisively, and create lasting impact.

They are the ones giving shape to the very idea of India - founders who turn instinct into innovation, scientists who turn discovery into progress, artists who give expression to identity, and visionaries who turn conviction into change.

At the heart of every transformation lies a certain inevitability - an idea that takes root before the world is ready for it, an inspiration that lights the path when certainty holds back, and an act that turns imagination into impact.

The NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 is a reflection of this spirit.

Those we celebrate this year are not defined by their victories alone, but by the questions they dared to ask and the frontiers they chose to cross. 

Continuing its tradition of honouring excellence, NDTV will, through an exhaustive and meticulous selection process, recognise and celebrate outstanding Indians across 14 diverse categories — spanning business leadership, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sports, entertainment, culture, and science.

The celebration will culminate on December 19, 2025, when, in the presence of a distinguished audience, the Indian of the Year honourees will be felicitated for their extraordinary contributions.

Indeed, the story of India is not merely being written — It is being willed into existence by those, whose ideas transcend the limits of imagination and alter the course of change. It is also the spirit that drives NDTV Indian of the Year.

NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 — Ideas. Inspiration. Impact.