Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and Schwab Foundation Invite Applications for the Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award, India 2026

Noida, Mar 12: Jubilant Bhartia Foundation and the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, a foundation working in partnership with the World Economic Forum, are pleased to announce the opening of the application round for the 17th annual Social Entrepreneur of the Year, Award, India –2026 (SEOY). Interested candidates may apply via the application form available at jubilant bhartia foundation.com by April 5, 2026.

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

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. The winner is selected by a jury of eminent leaders and professionals from government, business, media, and civil society.

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.

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 17th 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.

Past winners:

2025 Winner: Piyush Tewari, SaveLIFE Foundation

Award presented by Shri 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.