The 14th edition of the prestigious CNN-News18 Indian of the Year (IOTY) awards has been announced, recognizing Indians whose exceptional achievements have inspired the nation and beyond. Over the years, this flagship event has honored iconic figures like Shah Rukh Khan, Neeraj Chopra, and Virat Kohli, cementing its reputation as a premier platform for celebrating excellence.

The 2024 edition of IOTY will celebrate achievers in seven categories:
• Entertainment
• Sports
• Rising Sports Star
• Youth Icon
• Business
• Climate Warrior
• Social Change
Each category will feature five nominees whose contributions have significantly impacted their respective fields over the past year.
Highlights from the Nominee List
• Sports: Olympic medalists Manu Bhaker and PR Sreejesh, and cricketing stars Jasprit Bumrah and Smriti Mandhana.
• Entertainment: Celebrated actors Shraddha Kapoor, Vijay Sethupathi, Pankaj Tripathi, and Fahadh Faasil.
• Business: Visionaries like Deepinder Goyal (Zomato CEO), Bhavish Aggarwal (Ola CEO), and Rajiv Bajaj (Bajaj Auto MD).
• Climate Warrior: Activists including Vinisha Umashankar, Hina Saifi, and Kriti Tula.
• Social Change: Changemakers such as the Women in Cinema Collective, singer and philanthropist Palak Muchhal, and social activists Tatwashil Kamble & Ashok Tangade.

The winners will be decided through a mix of jury evaluation and public voting, with each contributing 50 percent to the decision-making process. The esteemed jury includes environmentalist Afroze Shah, legal luminary Harish Salve, and former Supreme Court Judge Indu Malhotra.
The 2024 edition is presented by the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group and supported by Reliance Industries.

Speaking about the event, Smriti Mehra, CEO – English & Business News, Network18, stated, “CNN-News18 Indian of the Year is a marquee recognition platform that inspires audiences and delivers unmatched value to associated brands.”

Adding to this, Zakka Jacob, Managing Editor, CNN-News18, remarked, “Built on the success of its past editions, IOTY continues to honor icons who define India’s spirit, promising stories that inspire and unite.”

The grand finale, a celebration of triumph and inspiration, will unveil the winners of the CNN-News18 Indian of the Year 2024.