THE LEADERSHIP GAZETTE PRESENTS

Women Leaders Awards India 2027

Recognising women driving business growth, developing people and creating meaningful change across India.

Submit a Nomination
View Award Categories
Independent jury assessment | Published evaluation criteria | Hosted by The Leadership Gazette

3rd February 2027 | Delhi/ NCR | India

About the awards

Women Leaders Awards India celebrates women whose leadership is delivering meaningful results in businesses, institutions and communities across the country. The 2027 edition welcomes entrepreneurs, senior professionals, emerging leaders and changemakers from a wide range of sectors.

The programme brings professional achievements into focus through evidence-based nominations, published judging criteria and an awards evening designed for recognition, conversation and connection.

Credible Recognition

Merit-based, transparent and independent judging

Powerful Connections

Network with established leaders and emerging talent.

Inspiring Conversations

Gain fresh perspectives from industry leaders and changemakers.

Lasting Impact

Celebrate leadership that builds a stronger, more inclusive future.

Why nominate?

1 . Recognise achievement: Put significant leadership decisions, contributions and results before the awards jury.

2 . Share your work: Help make valuable professional experience and leadership lessons more visible.

3 . Build connections: Meet leaders from different sectors at the awards evening.

Who can be nominated?

The awards welcome nominations for women based in India, women working or running a business in India, and women based overseas whose nominated work has delivered substantial impact in India. Nominees may represent businesses, public institutions, startups, family enterprises, educational and healthcare institutions, professional services, nonprofit organisations and social enterprises.

You may nominate yourself or someone else with her permission. Entries should explain the nominee’s individual contribution and include specific examples of results. Achievements should normally relate to the previous three years; sustained career contributions may be considered for Lifetime Achievement. Nominees at earlier career stages should use achievements from their available professional period.

How to nominate

1. Choose the category that best matches the nominee’s achievements.

2. Complete the professional profile and leadership questions.

3. Add relevant evidence or links where available.

4. Review your nomination form.

5. Accept the nomination terms and submit your application before the closing date.

Key dates

Nominations open:

October 2026

Final nomination deadline:

15th January 2027

Eligibility review and judging:

Ongoing

Shortlisted Nominees Notified

25th January

Selected honorees notified

28th January

Awards evening:

3rd February 2027

How judging works

Eligible nominations will be assessed against published criteria covering leadership impact, measurable outcomes, innovation and judgement, influence and inclusion, integrity and resilience, and sustained impact. Jurors will disclose relevant conflicts of interest and step back from affected assessments. Sponsorship, advertising and other commercial relationships will not influence jury scoring.

  • 1. Eligibility review
  • 2. Jury assessment
  • 3. Moderation and final verification
  • 4. Selected recipients notified

Awards Evening

The Women Leaders Awards India evening will bring together award recipients, jurors and professionals for leadership conversations, networking, the awards presentation and gala dinner. Full venue and programme details will be published once confirmed.

6:00 PM

Registration, Networking and Photographs

6:45 PM

Welcome Remarks

7:00 PM

Women in Leadership Conversation – Panel Discussion

7:30 PM

Awards Presentation

9:00 PM

Networking Dinner and Photographs

10:30 PM

Event Closes

Women Leaders India community

Beyond the awards evening, The Leadership Gazette aims to connect women leaders across India through interviews, professional conversations and selected networking opportunities.

Register your interest to receive updates as community activities are announced.
Join the Women Leaders India Community

Award categories

Overall cross-sector leadership distinction. 

Leaders accountable for business performance,
strategy and organisational results; 

Leadership of a scalable enterprise with evidence of growth resilience and responsible business practice.

At least 3 years experience at a management position.

Leadership in technology delivery, products, digital innovation or technology organisations.

Leadership in finance, financial services or
financial management

Leadership in healthcare delivery, administration, innovation or access.
Leadership improving education, learning, institutional practice or access.

Public-service leadership with demonstrable
outcomes

Leadership producing evidenced social or community outcomes.
Leadership in workforce development, culture, inclusion or people practices.

Leading a startup at any stage with tangible results.

Leadership in property, construction, infrastructure or related delivery.
Leadership in retail operations, consumer experience or online commerce.
Leadership in engineering, manufacturing, operations or industrial innovation.

Leadership in media, journalism, communications
or related organisations.

Leadership in legal practice, legal teams, justice initiatives or legal innovation.

Leadership in hospitality, tourism or travel. 

Leadership with evidenced environmental, social or governance outcomes.
Leadership in brand strategy, marketing effectiveness or customer engagement.
Board/governance contribution; require evidence of oversight and strategic influence.
Leadership in a family enterprise, including transformation, professionalisation or succession.

maximum 40 years of age with at least 5 years of experience.

Sustained Career Contribution

JURY PANEL

Mona Cheriyan

Industry Leader

Neelu Khatri

Industry Leader

Shalini Rajan

Cozmo Travel (Chief Commercial Officer) Air Arabia (Manager- U.A.E)

rama paul

Co - Founder (Ninered) ABP Network(Vice President Marketing Strategy)

Milee Ashwarya

Publisher and Group Senior Vice President, Penguin Random House India

How entries are evaluated

The Leadership Gazette will administer the nomination process and provide eligible entries to an independent jury. Jurors will assess nominations using a common scorecard and will disclose conflicts of interest. Close or high-scoring entries may be discussed during a moderated deliberation.

0
%
Scope of responsibility quality of decisions and influence on people organisations or institutions.
0
%
Evidence of business organisational public or social results.
0
%

Originality problem solving and sound decision-making in complex circumstances.

0
%
Influence and inclusion 15 percent Contribution to opportunity culture mentorship or wider sector progress.
0
%
Ethical conduct accountability and leadership through challenge.
0
%
Potential for sustained impact and relevance beyond the immediate achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Self-nominations and nominations submitted by employers, colleagues, clients, professional associations or other individuals are welcome. If you nominate someone else, please obtain her permission before submitting her information.
The awards welcome women whose leadership has made a meaningful contribution to businesses, institutions, industries or communities in India. Nominees may include entrepreneurs, corporate leaders, independent professionals, public-service leaders and women working in education, healthcare or the social sector. Each nomination must meet the eligibility requirements of the selected category.
Yes. Women from across India may be nominated, subject to the published eligibility criteria. Eligibility is not restricted to the city hosting the awards evening.
Women based overseas may be considered where their nominated work demonstrates a substantial professional, business or social impact in India. The submission should explain that connection and provide relevant evidence.
Yes. An organisation may nominate multiple women. Each nominee requires a separate application describing her individual responsibilities, achievements and contribution.
Select the category that most closely reflects the nominee’s work and achievements. Read the category description and eligibility criteria before applying. If you are unsure which category is suitable, contact the awards team before submitting or making payment.
Yes, a nominee may enter multiple relevant categories. Each category requires a separate submission and a separate nomination fee. Answers and supporting evidence should address the criteria of each category selected.
Include the nominee’s professional background, current responsibilities and specific examples of leadership achievements. Explain her personal contribution, the decisions she made and the results achieved. Supporting documents, project summaries, testimonials and relevant links can strengthen the submission. Please remove confidential or sensitive information before uploading evidence.
Nominations should normally focus on achievements from the previous three years. Nominees with a shorter professional history may submit achievements from that period. For Lifetime Achievement, sustained contributions across the nominee’s career may be considered.
The nomination fee is INR 25000 + GST.
No. GST is additional to the nomination fee. The applicable GST and total payable will be shown separately before payment.

 A personalised award plaque.
 An official certificate of recognition.

 one pass to the awards evening and gala dinner.
 An official winner announcement on The Leadership Gazette’s channels.
 A digital winner badge for approved professional use.
Any additional editorial opportunities are subject to editorial approval and consent.

The nomination fee, once paid, is non-refundable, including if the nominee is not selected or the nomination is withdrawn, subject to applicable law and the published event cancellation and postponement terms. Please review the eligibility criteria, category requirements and nomination terms before making payment.
The final nomination and payment deadline is 15 January 2027.
No. Paying the nomination fee does not guarantee shortlisting or selection. Nominations are assessed against the published award criteria.
The Leadership Gazette administers the nomination process and reviews entries for completeness and eligibility. Eligible nominations are assessed by an independent jury against published criteria. Assessment considers leadership impact, measurable outcomes, innovation and judgement, influence and inclusion, integrity and resilience, and sustained impact. The emphasis is on the nominee’s contribution and the evidence supporting it.
No. Sponsorship, advertising and other commercial relationships must not influence jury scoring or selection.
Jurors must disclose relevant personal, professional or commercial connections. Where a conflict could affect impartiality, the juror will step back from assessing the affected nomination.
An award may be withheld if the jury determines that no nomination meets the required standard. Submitting entries in a category does not automatically mean an award will be presented.
The confirmed date, host city and venue will be published on the official event page. National nomination eligibility is separate from the ceremony’s physical location. Travel and accommodation arrangements are the responsibility of attendees.
Selected recipients will receive formal notification using the contact details provided in their nomination. The awards team will explain the next steps, verify publication details and request the relevant permissions before an official announcement.
Nomination responses and supporting materials are used for awards administration, verification and assessment, with access limited to authorised personnel and relevant reviewers. Approved biographies, photographs and award-related details will be published only with the appropriate permission. Please review the privacy notice for further information.
A nomination does not automatically enrol you in a community mailing list or grant membership benefits. You may separately register your interest in Women Leaders India Community updates through the website.
Any postponement or cancellation will be communicated through the official event channels and to affected applicants or attendees. Fees and participation arrangements will be handled according to the published event terms and applicable law.
Contact the awards team through the official contact details on the event page for assistance with eligibility, category selection, submission requirements or payment queries.

Ready to share a leadership story that deserves recognition? Nominate yourself or a woman whose work is making a difference.

Celebrate inspiring leadership, meaningful impact, and women creating positive change across communities.

Start Your Nomination
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