The Economic Times 40 Under Forty awards are returning for their 12th annual edition to spotlight the next generation of business leaders and young trailblazers shaping India’s corporate landscape.
A high-powered, 11-member jury panel is convening to evaluate and select the final 40 honorees. The selection process is highly competitive: this year’s elite panel must narrow down a shortlist of 113 finalists, who were chosen from an initial pool of more than 650 formidable nominations across multiple business sectors.
The 2026 Jury Panel
Headed by Jury Chair Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw (Founder and Executive Chairperson of Biocon Ltd), the panel features some of India’s most prominent business leaders, executives, and industry veterans:
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Harsh Goenka – Chairman, RPG Enterprises
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Zia Mody – Cofounder and Managing Partner, AZB & Partners
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Niraj Bajaj – Chairman, Bajaj Auto
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Parth Jindal – Managing Director, JSW Cement and JSW Paints
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Saugata Gupta – Managing Director and CEO, Marico
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Sumant Sinha – Founder, Chairman, and CEO, ReNew
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Manish Kejriwal – Founder and Managing Partner, Kedaara Capital
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Sanjeev Krishan – Chairperson, PwC India
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Zahabiya Khorakiwala – Managing Director, Wockhardt Hospitals
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Ajit Isaac – Founder, Triventure Holdings
The final list of 40 under forty will celebrate young innovators and executives demonstrating exceptional leadership, resilience, and vision for tomorrow’s economy.
