CNBC-TV18 hosted the 21st edition of the India Business Leader Awards in Mumbai on March 18, bringing together influential voices from business, government, sports and public policy to celebrate leadership driving India’s economic growth and global standing.

The evening saw the presence of key dignitaries including Piyush Goyal, Union Minister for Commerce and Industry; Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council (ICC); Gautam Gambhir, Head Coach of the India Men’s Cricket Team; and Suryakumar Yadav, alongside global and Indian business leaders such as Benedetto Vigna, CEO of Ferrari, Kumar Mangalam Birla of Aditya Birla Group, Anand Mahindra of Mahindra Group and Anand Deshpande of Persistent Systems, the news network said in a press release.

Over the past two decades, IBLA has evolved into a benchmark platform recognising leadership, innovation and resilience across sectors. The 21st edition continued this legacy by honouring individuals and organisations across technology, manufacturing, finance, entrepreneurship and social impact.

Speaking at the ceremony, Piyush Goyal underlined the importance of platforms like CNBC-TV18 in recognising excellence across industries. He also highlighted India’s strategic efforts to diversify energy sourcing, noting that imports of crude oil, LPG and LNG have expanded across partners such as the United States, Russia and Canada to ensure supply security and resilience.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Anand Deshpande, recognising his contribution to India’s technology and IT services sector spanning more than three decades. Reflecting on the honour, he credited his journey to teamwork and long-term vision.

Kumar Mangalam Birla was named Entrepreneur of the Decade, emphasising that enduring success is rooted in values such as integrity, trusteeship and a commitment to societal impact. He noted that despite global uncertainties, India continues to demonstrate strong economic resilience backed by robust domestic fundamentals.

In the entertainment category, Rishab Shetty was honoured as Entertainment Leader of the Year for his contribution to Indian cinema and regional storytelling. In sports, Jay Shah received the award for Outstanding Contribution to Sports, highlighting India’s strong performance in global cricket and a long-term roadmap extending beyond 2030.

Suryakumar Yadav was named Sports Leader of the Year, recognising his impact on modern cricket and his leadership approach within the team environment. Gautam Gambhir was honoured for Excellence in Sports for his role as head coach of the national team.

Among corporate winners, Torrent Power was recognised as Most Promising Company of the Year, while Mahindra & Mahindra won Outstanding Company of the Year. Sunil Bharti Mittal was named Outstanding Business Leader of the Year, and Zepto took home the Young Turk Startup of the Year award.

Other honours included Hall of Fame recognitions for Piyush Pandey and T. T. Jagannathan, while Vivek Chaand Sehgal was awarded for Outstanding Contribution to Brand India. Smart Joules was recognised for its contribution to climate consciousness, and Rare Rabbit was named Breakout Brand of the Year.

With a 21-year legacy, the India Business Leader Awards continue to spotlight leaders and organisations shaping India’s growth story, reinforcing their role in driving innovation, resilience and global competitiveness.