The prestigious awards to be presented on the sidelines of World University of Design’s flagship event, Indian Women in Design.
India’s creative economy is once again set to celebrate its most powerful women changemakers as the SrijanShakti National Awards 2026 open nominations across the country.
Instituted by the World University of Design (WUD), SrijanShakti has quickly become one of India’s most visible and credible platforms recognising women who are redefining design, innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact. Now in its third edition, the awards honour women whose work is shaping how India creates, builds and expresses itself from cutting-edge startups and industry transformation to community empowerment and cultural leadership.
From fashion and architecture to digital design, crafts, sustainability, technology and social innovation, SrijanShakti celebrates women whose ideas are not only creative but also transformative.
The 2026 awards will recognise outstanding women across three national categories:
The Design Entrepreneur of the Year Award honours women who have built high-impact, design-led enterprises and created new markets, platforms and employment through creativity.
Industry Innovation Champion Award recognise women who are driving transformative change across industries through design, technology, systems thinking and creative leadership, and
The Social Impact Catalyst Award celebrate women who have leveraged design and creative practice to address critical social challenges, empower communities and strengthen cultural continuity.
Speaking about the awards, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor, World University of Design, said, “India’s creative future is being written by extraordinary women across studios, startups, industries and communities. SrijanShakti was created to bring these stories to the national stage, to ensure their leadership, courage and imagination receive the recognition they truly deserve.”
The winners will be selected by a distinguished national jury comprising leaders from design, industry, academia and cultural institutions, ensuring that SrijanShakti remains a benchmark of excellence and credibility.
The awards will be presented in March 2026 during Indian Women in Design, WUD’s national platform celebrating women, leadership and the creative economy.
Nominations are now open across India. Individuals, organisations, institutions and industry bodies are invited to nominate outstanding women whose work reflects creative excellence and social impact.
