Nominations open · OGEN Infosystem & Topnotch Foundation
Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026
APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026: the short version.
The APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026, also written as the Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026, is a national recognition programme in memory of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President. Nominations are open for leaders, entrepreneurs and institutions in business, healthcare and education. Awardees will be honoured in New Delhi on Thursday, 17 December 2026.
- Event
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026
- Date
- Thursday, 17 December 2026
- Time
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PMIndian Standard Time
- Venue
- Hotel Shangri-La Eros19 Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi
- Organised by
- Topnotch FoundationIn association with OGEN Infosystem
- Chief guests
- Ms Saina Nehwal & Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary JiMore Ministers will be announced
- Open to
- Business, healthcare & educationFounders, leadership teams and institutions
- How winners are chosen
- Research team reviewNomination, then shortlist, then final list
- Next step
- Send your nominationThe awards desk calls you back
Page reviewed: · Event details as announced by Topnotch Foundation.
How to nominate for the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026.
Three stages take a nomination from this page to the stage in New Delhi.
- 1
Send your nomination
Share your organisation details, achievements and supporting documents with the awards desk.
- 2
Research team review
Your profile is checked for eligibility and compared against the benchmarks for its category.
- 3
Final list and invitation
Final awardees are confirmed and invited to the ceremony on 17 December 2026.
Who can apply
- Businesses and their founders
- Healthcare leaders and institutions
- Education leaders and institutions
- Leadership teams in these sectors
What to keep ready
- Organisation details
- Your main achievements
- Documents that support them
- A good time for the desk to call
Why these awards carry weight.
The awards take their name from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President, and look for the people and institutions in business, healthcare and education whose work moves the country forward.
Topnotch Foundation, a research, ratings and media consultancy active since 2012, runs the programme in association with OGEN Infosystem.
- 01
Research-led selection
A research team reads each nomination against the benchmarks for its category. An award cannot be bought.
- 02
Since 2012
More than ten years of market research, ratings and national awards in India.
- 03
National dignitaries
Earlier presenters include Union Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, MPs and well-known public figures.
- 04
National media reach
Coverage options across TV channels, news portals and magazines.
- 05
Premium venues
Bharat Mandapam and Vigyan Bhawan have hosted earlier editions. The 2026 ceremony is at Hotel Shangri-La Eros.
- 06
Lasting brand value
Awardees keep the trophy and certificate, and can use the logo, photos and films in their marketing.
What happens on the night.
Five parts, three hours: 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM on Thursday, 17 December 2026.
- 01High teaMeet other awardees and invited dignitaries over tea
- 02SpeechesThe chief guests and Ministers speak to the room
- 03Award ceremonyEach awardee is called up and felicitated on stage
- 04Media interviewsShort interviews with media partners at the venue
- 05DinnerThe night closes with a gala dinner
Chief guests for 2026.
Select a portrait to play their video invitation to nominees.
Dignitaries at earlier ceremonies.
Dr. Pramod SawantChief Minister of Goa
Shri Chirag PaswanUnion Cabinet Minister, Food Processing Industries
Shri Arjun Ram Meghwal JiUnion Cabinet Minister, Law & Justice
Shri Giriraj SinghUnion Cabinet Minister, Rural Development
Shri Parshottam RupalaUnion Cabinet Minister, Fisheries & Animal Husbandry
Shri Ramdas AthawaleUnion Minister, Social Justice & Empowerment
Shri Bandaru DattatreyaHon'ble Governor of Haryana
Shri Bhagat Singh KoshyariHon'ble Governor of Maharashtra
Dr. Harsh VardhanFormer Union Health Minister
Smt. Hema MaliniFilm Actress & Member of Parliament
Ms. M C Mary KomOlympic Boxer & Former MP
Mr. Ravi KishanFilm Actor & Member of ParliamentOptional media and participation packages.
based
Packages do not decide who wins. The research-led review comes first. Packages are optional and pay for media coverage, venue, hospitality and promotion.
01Basic Participation & Print MediaEssential · 9 benefits
Pricing on request
- Award presented by Ms Saina Nehwal and one Minister / Politician
- 100+ online news portals, including ANI, Zee, HT, DailyHunt and Outlook
- Posts on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
- Trophy, certificate and the right to use the award logo
- Event photos and videos for your own and third-party channels
- 1-page PPT profile display
- 2 invitation passes
- Event photos and video sent to you after the ceremony
- Your CEO or representative collects the award on stage
02Media TelecastMost chosen · 10 benefits
Pricing on request
- Award presented by Ms Saina Nehwal and two Ministers / Politicians
- Featured in the Top 50 Awardees list
- Telecast / interview on India Today & Aaj Tak International
- Coverage in 100+ online news portals
- Coverage in Lifestyle Magazine & Medgate Today Magazine
- Logo branding on event media backdrops
- 3 invitation passes
- 1-page PPT profile display
- Event photos and video sent to you after the ceremony
- Full rights to promote the award in your branding
03Top 20 Award with Media TelecastPremium · 10 benefits
Pricing on request
- Recognised among the Top 20 Awardees by a Union Minister & Ms Saina Nehwal
- Telecast / interview on India Today UAE & Aaj Tak International
- A speaking slot for your company during the evening
- Screening of your corporate film (1–2 minutes)
- Featured on 150+ online news portals
- Coverage in Lifestyle Magazine & Medgate Today Magazine
- 4 invitation passes
- 2-page PPT profile display
- Event photos and video sent to you after the ceremony
- Promotional use of the award logo, photos and certificate
04Title SponsorExclusive · one partner · 11 benefits
₹10,00,000+ taxes · only one title partner
- "Presented by" title association with the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026
- Logo on the stage backdrop, entry gate, trophies and certificates
- Chairman / CEO keynote address on the main stage (5 minutes)
- On-stage felicitation alongside Ms Saina Nehwal and Union Ministers
- Dedicated telecast / interview on India Today & Aaj Tak International
- Corporate film screening (up to 3 minutes)
- Featured on 150+ online news portals + dedicated press release
- Logo on the event website, emailers, social posts and press kit
- Product display / experience zone at the venue
- 10 invitation passes with front-row seating
- Professional photography & videography with a dedicated highlights film
Films from past editions.
National Leaders in Business, Healthcare & Education Awards 20262026
Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 20252025
Dr. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Memorial Awards 20252025
Sardar Patel Unity Summit 20252025
Atal Samman Samaroh 20242024
Global Leadership Summit & Awards 20242024
Brands associated with Topnotch Foundation.
Questions about nominating.
What are the APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026?
The APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026 are national awards in memory of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, India’s 11th President. They recognise leaders, entrepreneurs and institutions in business, healthcare and education. Topnotch Foundation runs them in association with OGEN Infosystem.
How do I nominate for the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026?
Fill in the form on this page and choose Nomination. The awards desk calls you at the time you pick, explains what to send and takes you through the three stages: nomination, shortlist and final list. Keep your organisation details, achievements and supporting documents ready.
Who can apply for the Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026?
Organisations, founders and leadership teams working in business, healthcare or education. The research team checks each profile for eligibility against its category.
When and where is the 2026 ceremony?
Thursday, 17 December 2026, 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, at Hotel Shangri-La Eros, 19 Ashoka Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi. The night has high tea, speeches, the award ceremony, media interviews and dinner.
Who are the chief guests in 2026?
Ms Saina Nehwal, the Indian badminton player, and Shri Raj Bhushan Choudhary Ji, Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Government of India. More Ministers will be announced.
How are awardees chosen?
A research team reviews each nomination against the benchmarks for its category and prepares a shortlist. Final awardees are then confirmed and invited to the ceremony.
Do I have to pay to receive an award?
No. Awards depend only on the research-led review of your nomination. Packages are optional and pay for media coverage, venue, hospitality and promotion. They play no part in selection.
Is this the same as other Dr. Kalam awards with similar names?
No. Several organisations run awards named after Dr. Kalam. This page covers only the Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Inspiration Awards 2026, run by Topnotch Foundation with OGEN Infosystem on 17 December 2026 at Hotel Shangri-La Eros, New Delhi.
What do the optional packages cost?
Basic Participation & Print Media, Media Telecast and Top 20 Award with Media Telecast are priced on request. The single Title Sponsor package is ₹10,00,000 + taxes. The awards desk shares details on the call.
Start your nomination.
Leave your details. The awards desk calls you at the time you pick, explains the nomination and sends you the next steps.
+91-7428980042 info@ogeninfo.comabhijeet@topnotchfoundation.com