Justice Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, the former Chief Justice of India, chaired the Grand Jury that selected the finalists for the Times Now Amazing Indians Awards 2026. The panel, which included former Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi and Padma Shri recipient Dr. Deepa Malik, completed their deliberations following a virtual review of hundreds of nominations. This marks the tenth year of the initiative presented by Adani, which aims to spotlight grassroots changemakers across nine specific social categories.
Ernst & Young LLP, serving as the Process Advisor, managed the pre-jury screening. They conducted background checks and impact evaluations on every entry before the Grand Jury stepped in. Prasoon Joshi, Chairperson of Prasar Bharati and a recurring jury member, emphasized that the selection focused on self-motivated social good rather than visibility. “They are not doing this for an award,” Joshi said, noting the dedication of the nominees to community transformation.
The nine categories span diverse sectors: Animal Welfare, Disability Care, Education, Environment, Women and Child Development, Healthcare, Rural Livelihoods, and Social Innovation Using Technology. The finalists represent a mix of remote community initiatives and technology-led solutions. Each nominee’s journey was weighed for tangible impact on lives, not just the scale of their project.
The celebration is set for September 30, 2026, at The Taj Palace in New Delhi. The evening will feature a live performance by the band Indian Ocean and a special dance segment. Winners will be felicitated by the jury and the evening’s Chief Guest, who will also participate in a discussion on the societal impact of the nominees.