India's Premier Sustainability Honour

Bharat
ESG Awards

Inaugural Edition  ·  2025  ·  New Delhi

Recognising India's most transformative organisations, leaders and initiatives advancing Environmental stewardship, Social equity, and Governance excellence — for a Viksit Bharat.

Submit Nomination Explore Categories
32
Award Categories
3
ESG Pillars
500+
Expected Nominees
2025
Inaugural Year
About the Awards

Setting the Gold Standard for Responsible Business in India

The Bharat ESG Awards is India's most comprehensive recognition platform dedicated to honouring organisations and individuals who are redefining responsible business through measurable Environmental, Social and Governance impact.

Launched in 2025 as the Inaugural Edition, these awards fill a critical gap in India's sustainability landscape — creating a credible, rigorous and independent benchmark to celebrate those building a more equitable, resilient and transparent economy aligned with India's national sustainability ambitions.

From Fortune 500 corporations to grassroots innovators, public sector undertakings to NGOs, startups to academic institutions — the Bharat ESG Awards welcomes excellence from every corner of the nation.

🌿
Environmental
Recognising efforts in climate action, clean energy transition, biodiversity conservation, water stewardship and circular economy practices that measurably reduce environmental footprint.
🤝
Social
Honouring commitments to workforce wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, community upliftment, access to healthcare and education, and equitable value chain practices.
⚖️
Governance
Celebrating exemplary board accountability, transparent reporting, anti-corruption frameworks, stakeholder engagement, and ethical business conduct.
✦
National Recognition
Gain India-wide visibility and credibility as a leader in responsible business.
✦
Rigorous Evaluation
Independent expert jury with multi-criteria, data-driven assessment methodology.
✦
Investor Signals
ESG recognition increasingly influences institutional and impact investment decisions.
✦
Network & Influence
Connect with policymakers, CXOs, investors and sustainability leaders at the Gala Ceremony.
Award Categories

32 Categories Across
Three Pillars

Nominations may be submitted in multiple categories. Each category has specific evaluation criteria.

E
Environmental
11 Award Categories · Climate, Energy, Nature & Circularity
Climate Action & Net Zero Leadership
Awarded to organisations with credible, science-based net-zero commitments, verifiable emissions reductions and documented decarbonisation roadmaps.
Large Enterprise SME PSU
Clean & Renewable Energy Champion
Recognising organisations leading India's energy transition through adoption, development or innovation in solar, wind, green hydrogen and other clean energy sources.
Energy Producer Energy Consumer
Water Stewardship Excellence
For exceptional water conservation, recycling, zero liquid discharge or community water access initiatives with measurable impact on water stress reduction.
Industry Agriculture
Circular Economy & Waste Innovation
Honouring organisations that have fundamentally redesigned products, services or supply chains to eliminate waste and maximise resource value.
Manufacturing FMCG / Retail Startup
Biodiversity & Ecosystem Leadership
Recognising initiatives that protect, restore or enhance natural ecosystems, habitats or species — going beyond regulatory compliance.
Corporate NGO / Foundation
Sustainable Supply Chain Award
For organisations embedding environmental sustainability across their entire value chain — from Scope 3 emissions management to responsible sourcing.
Manufacturing Retail Technology
Green Building & Infrastructure
Recognising leadership in designing, constructing or operating buildings and infrastructure to the highest environmental performance standards.
Commercial Real Estate Infrastructure
Air Quality & Pollution Control
For significant reductions in air pollutants and particulate emissions beyond regulatory mandates, contributing to cleaner air in communities.
Heavy Industry Logistics
Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems
Honouring innovation in regenerative farming, sustainable food production and climate-resilient agricultural practices in the Indian context.
Corporate Agri FPO / Cooperative
E-Waste & Responsible Electronics
Recognising organisations with best-in-class electronic product take-back, recycling and extended producer responsibility programmes.
OEM / Brand Recycler
Climate-Resilient Urban Development
For municipalities, urban local bodies or developers demonstrating exceptional climate adaptation and urban heat island mitigation strategies.
Municipal Developer
S
Social
12 Award Categories · People, Community & Inclusion
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Champion
For organisations demonstrating measurable progress in gender, caste, disability, LGBTQ+ and ethnic diversity across all levels of leadership and workforce.
Large Enterprise SME
Employee Wellbeing & Occupational Safety
Recognising holistic employee health, mental wellbeing, zero-harm workplace practices and inclusive people-first policies that set benchmarks for the industry.
Manufacturing Services
Community Development & Social Impact
Honouring strategic, long-term community investment programmes that measurably uplift livelihoods, skills and quality of life in surrounding communities.
Corporate CSR Foundation
Education & Skill Development Initiative
For impactful programmes expanding access to quality education, digital literacy, vocational training or higher education for underserved populations.
NGO Corporate Government
Healthcare Access & Public Health
Recognising organisations expanding healthcare access, reducing maternal and child mortality, or innovating affordable health solutions for Bharat.
Hospital / Clinic Pharma HealthTech
Women Empowerment & Gender Equity
For programmes that meaningfully advance women's economic participation, safety, leadership representation and financial inclusion across India.
Corporate NGO SHG / Cooperative
Responsible & Ethical Supply Chain
Recognising organisations ensuring fair labour, safe working conditions, living wages and human rights protections across their supply chains.
Apparel / Textile FMCG Technology
Financial Inclusion & Impact
For innovations and programmes that expand access to formal financial services — credit, insurance, savings — for India's underbanked population.
BFSI Fintech MFI
Digital Inclusion & Rural Connectivity
Recognising efforts to bridge the digital divide — bringing internet access, devices and digital literacy to rural, tribal and marginalised populations.
Telecom Nonprofit Government
Customer & Consumer Protection
For organisations with exemplary practices in product safety, ethical marketing, data privacy and transparent consumer grievance redressal.
B2C Brands E-Commerce
Persons with Disabilities Inclusion
Honouring organisations creating accessible workplaces, inclusive hiring and barrier-free products and services for differently-abled individuals.
Workplace Product Design
Tribal & Marginalised Community Impact
For initiatives specifically addressing the livelihoods, culture and rights of tribal, Dalit and other historically marginalised communities in India.
Corporate NGO Government
G
Governance
9 Award Categories · Ethics, Transparency & Leadership
Best ESG Strategy & Integration
For organisations that have most effectively embedded ESG considerations into core business strategy, capital allocation and performance management systems.
Listed Company Unlisted
Corporate Governance Excellence
Recognising listed companies with exemplary board composition, independence, accountability, audit quality and minority shareholder protection practices.
Large Cap Mid Cap Small Cap
ESG Reporting & Transparency Award
For the most comprehensive, credible and decision-useful ESG/BRSR disclosures demonstrating transparency, materiality and comparability.
Listed Entity Voluntary Discloser
Anti-Corruption & Business Ethics
Honouring organisations with zero-tolerance policies, robust whistleblower protection, ethical procurement and measurable anti-bribery frameworks.
Private Sector PSU
Sustainable Finance & ESG Investing
For financial institutions, funds and investors integrating ESG into investment mandates, product innovation or climate finance solutions for India.
Bank / NBFC Asset Manager PE / VC
Board-Level ESG Oversight
Recognising boards that have demonstrated meaningful ESG oversight — linking executive compensation to sustainability metrics and integrating ESG risk management.
Listed Company
Data Privacy & Cybersecurity Governance
For organisations with best-in-class frameworks for protecting customer data, ensuring cybersecurity resilience and transparent breach response practices.
Tech / Digital BFSI Healthcare
Stakeholder Engagement Excellence
Recognising organisations with outstanding practices in proactive, inclusive and two-way engagement with communities, employees, investors and regulators.
All Sectors
ESG Innovation by a Startup
For early-stage companies (under 8 years) building technology, products or services that directly advance an Environmental, Social or Governance outcome at scale.
CleanTech AgriTech GovTech FinTech
Special Recognition

Lifetime & Special Honours

🏆
ESG Champion of the Year
The highest individual honour — awarded to a CXO or Board member who has demonstrably transformed their organisation's ESG trajectory and inspired industry-wide change.
🌟
Lifetime Achievement in Sustainability
A rare honour bestowed upon an individual whose lifelong commitment and contributions have left an enduring legacy on India's sustainability landscape.
🚀
Rising Star in ESG
Recognising an emerging leader (under 40) who is charting a bold, impactful path in sustainability and inspiring the next generation of ESG practitioners in India.
🏛️
Best ESG Public Sector Organisation
Honouring the government body, PSU or urban local body that has most effectively embedded ESG principles into public service delivery and infrastructure.
🎓
ESG Research & Academic Excellence
For academic institutions, think tanks or research bodies producing high-impact ESG research that shapes policy and business practice in India.
🤲
Best ESG NGO / Non-Profit
Celebrating civil society organisations that are delivering the most transformative social or environmental outcomes through innovation, scale and partnerships.
Who Can Apply

Eligibility & Criteria

The Bharat ESG Awards is open to a wide spectrum of organisations and individuals committed to sustainability excellence in India.

Eligible Applicants
  • Listed and unlisted corporates operating in India
  • Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and Government Departments
  • Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and Foundations
  • Startups (registered for up to 8 years)
  • Academic and research institutions
  • Industry associations and multilateral bodies
  • Individual professionals and leaders
  • Foreign companies with significant India operations
Evaluation Criteria
  • Impact & Measurability — Quantifiable ESG outcomes with documented evidence
  • Scale & Ambition — Scope of initiative relative to organisation size
  • Innovation & Approach — Novel methodologies or solutions deployed
  • Strategy Integration — Depth of ESG embedding in business model
  • Stakeholder Engagement — Quality of consultation and co-creation
  • Reporting & Transparency — Disclosure quality and third-party verification
  • Sustainability of Outcomes — Long-term commitment and roadmap clarity
  • Alignment with National Goals — Contribution to India's NDCs, SDGs and BRSR framework
Key Dates

Awards Timeline

1 August 2025
Nominations Open
Online portal goes live for all category submissions
15 September 2025
Early Bird Deadline
Reduced submission fee for early nominations
15 October 2025
Nominations Close
Final deadline — no extensions will be granted
November 2025
Jury Evaluation
Independent expert jury deliberates; shortlist announced mid-month
December 2025
Shortlist Announced
Finalists notified and published — a recognition in itself
January 2026
Grand Awards Gala
Black-tie ceremony in New Delhi — Winners announced and honoured
The Jury

Our Distinguished Panel

The Bharat ESG Awards jury comprises India's most respected sustainability practitioners, policy architects, institutional investors and business leaders — ensuring rigorous, independent and credible evaluation.

A
Jury Chair
Chairperson
Former IAS Officer & Sustainability Policy Expert
B
ESG Expert
Sustainability Director
Fortune 500 Indian Conglomerate
C
Finance Lens
Chief Investment Officer
Leading ESG-Focused Fund
D
Civil Society
Founder & CEO
National Environmental NGO
E
Industry Voice
Secretary General
Industry Chamber of Commerce
F
Academia
Professor of Sustainability
IIM / IIT Faculty
G
Governance Expert
Partner
Big Four Governance Practice
H
Social Impact
Executive Director
Development Finance Institution

Full jury panel to be announced. Nominations open for jury membership. Express interest →

Submit Your Nomination

Nominate for Bharat ESG Awards

Complete the nomination form below. All submissions are treated with strict confidentiality. A confirmation will be sent to your registered email within 48 hours.

Nominator Information
Details of the person submitting this nomination
Organisation Details
Information about the entity being nominated
Award Category Selection
Select all categories you wish to be considered for (separate nomination fee per category)
Nomination Submission
Provide details to support your nomination — the stronger the evidence, the higher your chances

I confirm that the information provided is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge. I consent to the Bharat ESG Awards team contacting me for submission clarifications. I agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy of the Bharat ESG Awards 2025.

You will receive an acknowledgement email within 48 hours. For queries, write to nominations@bharatesgawards.in

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