Applications Invited for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, India 2026

Applications Open for 17th Annual SEOY Award; Last Date to Apply is April 5, 2026

NOIDA (India CSR): Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, working in partnership with the World Economic Forum, have announced the opening of applications for the 17th edition of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award (SEOY), India 2026.

The prestigious award recognises outstanding social entrepreneurs who develop innovative and scalable solutions to address critical societal challenges. Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official website of the foundation.

Nominated individuals and organisations will be evaluated on the key parameters including Market-Based Approach, Technology Enablement, Sustainability, Direct Social Impact, Reach, Scope, and Replicability.

The finalists will be determined following an extensive search and selection process, which includes expert reviews, interviews, and site visits. A jury of eminent leaders and professionals from government, business, media, and civil society selects the winner.

The Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Award, India recognises, promotes, and celebrates leading social entrepreneurs and their innovative solutions that address societal challenges in India and beyond.

A Legacy of Promoting Social Entrepreneurship

In 2010, the Jubilant Bhartia Foundation partnered with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship to promote social innovation in India through the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Over the years, the initiative has helped strengthen India’s social innovation ecosystem by recognising leaders who develop solutions across sectors such as:

• Healthcare
• Education
• Employment generation
• Water and sanitation
• Clean energy
• Identity and entitlements
• Financial literacy
• Access to technology and information

In 2026, the award celebrates its 17th anniversary, reinforcing its position as one of India’s most respected recognitions for social entrepreneurs.

In 2010, Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship came together to promote social innovation in India through the Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Award, India and they have since acknowledged and supported the growing field of social innovation in India. In 2026, the award celebrates its 17^th anniversary and has established itself as one of the most respected awards for social entrepreneurs in India.

The award recognises individuals and organisations that implement innovative, sustainable and scalable solutions that address pressing challenges faced by underserved communities, contributing to inclusive growth in India. They work in diverse areas such as health, education, employment, water, clean energy, identity and entitlements, financial literacy, and access to information and technology.

Key Highlights of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2026

Who can participate:
Accomplished social change leaders working across diverse large-scale system change initiatives and social innovation models in society.

How to participate:
Submit the application form available at www.jubilantbhartiafoundation.com.

Last Date:
April 05, 2026

Evaluation Parameters:
Market-based approach, Technology enablement, Sustainability, Direct social impact, Reach and scope, and Replicability.

Benefits for Winners and Finalists:

• Join India’s leading community of social entrepreneurs
• Showcase solutions to influential decision-makers
• Build leadership capacity through executive education programmes at leading universities
• Participate in peer learning journeys and mentoring platforms

The winner of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award India 2026 will be announced on August 21, 2026, in New Delhi.

PAST WINNERS

2025 Winner: Piyush Tewari, SaveLIFE Foundation

Award presented by Suresh Prabhu, Former Union Minister and India’s Sherpa to the G7 & G20

Piyush Tewari, Founder of the SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), has emerged as one of India’s most influential public health innovators by confronting the country’s road safety crisis head‑on. Sparked by a personal tragedy and the widespread fear that prevents bystanders from helping accident victims, he built SLF into a pioneering organisation that has reshaped national policy and on‑ground emergency response. His relentless advocacy led to the creation of India’s landmark Good Samaritan Law, offering legal protection to citizens who assist road crash victims. Under his leadership, SLF developed the Zero Fatality Solutions (ZFS) model—a data‑driven, systemic intervention that has reduced crash deaths by up to 67% on some of India’s most dangerous highways, transforming high‑risk corridors into safer mobility zones.

Beyond life‑saving interventions, Piyush has demonstrated how policy reform, rigorous evidence and institutional partnerships can unlock impact at scale. SLF’s holistic approach—integrating safer road design, better enforcement, trauma response, and community engagement—has set new national benchmarks for public health and safety. Every ₹1 invested by the organisation catalyses up to ₹350 in public funding, enabling exponential reach and systemic change. Today, vulnerable road users, including pedestrians, two‑wheeler riders and low‑income commuters, are significantly safer because of SLF’s work. As the winner of the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award,India2025, Piyush Tewari exemplifies how personal loss can be transformed into a national movement that saves countless lives and redefines road safety as a fundamental right for all.

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship

In partnership with the World Economic Forum, the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship is the foremost global community of pioneering social entrepreneurs and innovators driving systemic change. Since 1998, it has served as a platform to advance leading models of social innovation and now encompasses more than 500 impact leaders across 190 countries. It was co-founded by Professor Klaus Schwab, Founder of the World Economic Forum, and Hilde Schwab, Co-Founder and Chairperson, Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship.

(India CSR)