A Celebration of Educational Excellence Across India
Date: January 10, 2026
Venue: Bengaluru
Co-hosted with: TII Magazine’s Healthcare Excellence Awards and Conclave 2025
The Academic Insights Education Excellence Awards & Summit 2026 brought together over 200 education leaders, principals, directors, trustees, and academicians from across India to celebrate institutions and individuals redefining excellence in education. This year’s event honored transformational leaders whose life’s work spans technical brilliance, humanitarian vision, and deeply rooted values of equity and inclusivity.
The ceremony opened with a warm welcome to distinguished guests who have dedicated their lives to educational transformation. Their presence embodied the spirit of celebrating excellence while recognizing leaders who build legacies far beyond institutions, creating lasting transformations in lives and communities.
The ceremony was graced by four eminent education and healthcare leaders who participated in the inaugural Lamp Lighting Ceremony:
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Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, Honorary General Secretary, Seshadripuram Educational Trust
A towering figure in Indian education with nearly five decades of transformational leadership and institution-building. Dr. Krishna has overseen the growth of one of India’s most expansive education networks—34 premier institutions across Karnataka serving over 22,000 students from early childhood through doctoral programmes. With credentials as a Chartered Engineer-Arbitrator and Fellow of the Institution of Engineering & Technology (UK), he is a recipient of the prestigious President’s Gold Medal for Red Cross contributions and the Karnataka Rajyotsava Award. Beyond academics, his legacy extends to social service as former Chairman of the Gandhi Peace Foundation and President of the Institution of Engineers (Karnataka). He exemplifies the intersection of technical brilliance, educational innovation, and deeply rooted Gandhian values—a true Renaissance figure in Indian education.
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Dr. Ravi Juniwal, Chancellor, Apex University, Jaipur
A visionary educationist and transformational leader in India’s higher education sector. Under Dr. Juniwal’s strategic leadership, Apex University has expanded into a multi-disciplinary institution recognized for academic excellence, innovative programmes, and industry partnerships. The university spans engineering, management, law, liberal arts, and allied fields—each programme designed with specialisation pathways reflecting contemporary industry demands and evolving student aspirations. His commitment to accessible, quality higher education combined with focus on research, innovation, and student mentorship has positioned Apex as a preferred destination for aspirants across North India. Dr. Juniwal’s vision extends beyond rankings and metrics—he believes in nurturing well-rounded graduates equipped with both technical competence and human values, ready to lead in an increasingly complex world.
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Padma Shri Dr. John Ebnezar
A globally acclaimed medical professional whose contributions to orthopedic surgery have earned him international recognition and respect. Dr. Ebnezar’s career is marked by pioneering surgical techniques, groundbreaking research, and an unwavering commitment to advancing orthopedic care standards. His work has transformed patient outcomes and influenced medical practice and education across institutions worldwide. Beyond his clinical achievements, he is deeply committed to mentoring the next generation of surgeons and advancing surgical innovation through continuous learning and professional excellence.
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Prof. Dr. T. H. Anjanappa
A living legend in Indian surgery and medical education with over 40 years of unparalleled service redefining standards of excellence in the medical field. Beginning his illustrious journey at Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences in 1982, Dr. Anjanappa rose through the ranks as lecturer, professor, and medical superintendent over 31 years, subsequently leading pivotal roles at PES Medical College, Sambhram Medical College, and Sapthagiri Medical College as Dean and Principal. As a renowned surgeon, Dr. Anjanappa has performed over 35,000 surgeries with extraordinary expertise in Surgical Gastroenterology and Laparoscopic Surgery. His remarkable achievements include operating on 10 bullet injury cases in a single night and successfully removing a 23 kg abdominal tumour. Affiliated with prestigious hospitals including Columbia Asia, Fortis, and Suguna Hospital, he represents the gold standard of surgical excellence, patient care, and mentorship.
Institutions of Legacy
The first set of awards were indeed prestigious awards that recognize enduring educational networks that seamlessly blend quality academics with spirituality, social service, and holistic development. These awards were presented by – Dr. Wooday P. Krishna, Honorary General Secretary, Seshadripuram Educational Trust.
Here were the winners:
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Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Educational Society – Ujire, Karnataka
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BGS National Public School – Bengaluru, Karnataka
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Spring Mount Public School – Tirupur, Tamil Nadu
Preschools & Early Childhood Excellence
The next set of awards were dedicated towards excellence in foundational learning through Montessori methodologies, safety standards, and play-based holistic development.
The winners in this segment were:
- Linden Montessori – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Award: India’s Iconic Preschool of the Year 2025 - iSpark Holistic Happiness Studio – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Award: Tamil Nadu’s Outstanding Preschool for Holistic Learning 2025 - Mamas Dela Preschool
Award: Outstanding Preschool of the Year 2025 (Safety, Health & Hygiene Standards) - Feats Of Wonder – Hyderabad, Telangana
Award: Top Preschool in Hyderabad 2025 - Little Elly – Pallavaram – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Award: Top Preschool in Chennai 2025
Schools: CBSE, ICSE, IB & International Excellence
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CBSE Schools
- Kola Perumal Chetty Vaishnav Senior Secondary School – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Academic Excellence & Learning Outcomes) - Sunbeam English School – Bhagwanpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Innovative Teaching & 21st Century Pedagogy) - Queens Valley School – New Delhi
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Best-in-Class Student Safety) - Neerja Modi School – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Holistic Excellence) - National Public School, OMR – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Emerging School of the Year 2025 – Excellence in Value-Based Education - Assisi Central School – Derlakatte, Karnataka
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Inclusive Education & Community Service) - Sri Rama Rural Sainik School – Guntur, Andhra Pradesh
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Digital Literacy & Smart Infrastructure) - Srinidhi Public School – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Mission-Driven Leadership) - Bal Bharati Public School – Pitampura, New Delhi
Outstanding CBSE School of the Year 2025 (Academic Innovation) - P. S. Senior Secondary School – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu’s Top Educational Institutes 2025
International & Specialized Schools
- Luxor World School – Dindigul, Tamil Nadu
International School of the Year 2025 (Holistic Value-Based Learning) - Venkateshwar International School – Dwarka, New Delhi
Outstanding School of the Year 2025 (Curriculum Innovation) - New Millennium School – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished ICSE School of the Year 2025 - Nahar International School – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Distinguished IB School of the Year 2025 - St. Johns Public School – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India’s 10 Best Christian Institutions 2025 (Holistic Experiential Learning) - Heartfulness International School, Omega– Nandigama, Telangana
Most Outstanding International Day-School of the Year 2025 - Neerja Modi World School – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Outstanding School of the Year 2025 (Global Academic Excellence)
Boarding & Specialized Excellence
- Redbridge International Academy – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Outstanding School of the Year 2025 (Boarding Pastoral Care) - The Sagar School – Tijara-NCR, Rajasthan
Best Boarding School of the Year 2025
Outstanding Schools
- Mahatma Gandhi International School – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Outstanding School of the Year 2025 - Drona Public School – Gurgaon, Haryana
Distinguished School of the Year 2025 (Academic Results & Discipline)
K-12 Individual Leaders
- Mrs. Shyamashree Chatterjee – BGS International Residential School, Bengaluru
Most Pragmatic Woman Leader in K12 Education 2025 - Dr. D. K. Bhosale – SNBP International School, Pune, Maharashtra
Inspiring K12 Education Leader 2025 - Mrs. Sumangala Birla – Sushila Birla Girls School, Kolkata, West Bengal
India’s Most Inspiring K-12 Education Leader 2025 - Dr. Niyati Chitkara – Chitkara International School, Chandigarh, Punjab
Most Inspiring K12 Educator of the Year 2025
Panel Discussion: Redefining the 21st-Century Degree
Before the higher education awards were announced, it was time for a panel discussion tackling a critical question in modern higher education: “Attendance, Internships, Online Learning & Real Skills: What Should a 21st-Century Degree Look Like?” Esteemed panelists debated balancing traditional metrics with future-ready competencies amid digital transformation and employability demands.
Distinguished Panelists:
- Mrs. Vandana Arora, Principal, Nahar International School
Pioneered IB and Cambridge curricula emphasizing inquiry-based learning, global citizenship, and seamless school-to-university transitions with experiential and digital fluency. - Dr. Purushottam Bung, Professor and Director, R.V. Institute of Management, Bangalore
Drives industry-aligned management education in analytics, entrepreneurship, and leadership, prioritizing internships, live projects, and skill outcomes over attendance. - Mr. Sagar Shah, Director, Le Mark Institute
Leads India’s premier soft skills school, training 50,000+ professionals across 500+ institutions, advocating real skills like communication, resilience, and collaboration via internships and certifications. - Dr. B M Satish, Principal, Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering
Champions engineering education blending technical cores with industry internships, research, online-blended learning, and outcome-based assessments.
Dr. Jones Mathew, Principal & Head of Institution, Great Lakes Institute of Management, Gurgaon
Heads the PG Program in Business Analytics, integrating data science, enterprise internships, and Fortune 500 placements for Industry 4.0 readiness.
Higher Education: Universities & Distinguished Leaders
University Leadership & Inspiration
- Prof. (Dr.) Samit Ray – Adamas University, Kolkata, West Bengal
India’s Most Inspiring Education Leader 2025 - Prof. Javed Musarrat – Integral University, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
India’s Most Inspiring Education Leader 2025 - Dr. Amit Saxena – Sparsh Group
India’s Most Inspiring Education Leader 2025 - Shri Mahbubul Hoque – University of Science & Technology, Meghalya
India’s Most Inspiring Education Leader 2025 - Dr. Anand Jacob Verghese – Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Inspiring Educator of the Year 2025 - Mrs. Suja George – Alpha Group of Institutions, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India’s Most Pragmatic Woman Leader in Higher Education 2025 - Mr. G. H. Nagaraja – Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research
Inspiring Educator of the Year 2025 - Dr. Anirudh Gupta – CEO, DCM Group of Institutions
Visionary Education Leader of the Year 2025
Specialized Higher Education Excellence
Law & Legal Education
- Haldia Law College – Haldia, West Bengal
Distinguished Law College of the Year 2025 - Vinayaka Mission’s Law School (VMLS) – Salem, Tamil Nadu
India’s Most Promising Law School 2025
Engineering Colleges
- Ramco Institute of Technology – Virudhunagar, Tamil Nadu
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Research & Innovation) - Mangalam College of Engineering – Ettumanur, Kerala
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Student Development & Campus Life) - PSCMR College of Engineering & Technology – Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Innovation in Emerging Technologies) - K.B.P. College of Engineering – Satara, Maharashtra
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Placement Performance & Industry Readiness) - Adsul’s Technical Campus – Chas, Maharashtra
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Rural Placement Readiness) - Maharaja Agrasen Institute of Technology (MAIT) – Delhi
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Future-Ready Digital Ecosystem) - Theni Kammavar Sangam College of Technology – Theni, Tamil Nadu
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Industry-Ready Graduate Leadership) - Sri Venkateshwara College of Engineering – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Sustainability & Green Engineering Integration) - Rajarambapu Institute of Technology – Rajaramnagar, Maharashtra
Distinguished Engineering College of the Year 2025 (Research & Innovation Infrastructure)
Business Schools
- St Joseph’s Institute of Management – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Industry Interface & 100% Placement) - International School of Management Excellence – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Top Commerce College in Karnataka 2025 - Regional College of Management – Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Academic Innovation) - IIBS Bangalore – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Tech-Driven Pedagogy) - NSB Bangalore – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Faculty Research) - J K Business School – Gurgaon, Haryana
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Curriculum Innovation & Specializations) - Accurate Institute of Management – Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh
Best Accurate Business School of the Year 2025 - Prestige Institute of Management – Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Student Employability & Training) - Central Institute of Business Management Research & Development – Nagpur, Maharashtra
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Digital Transformation Focus) - Sri Venkateswara College of Computer Applications and Management – Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Placement Consistency) - Seshadripuram Academy for Global Excellence – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Holistic Global Readiness) - RV Institute of Management – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Outcome-Based Education) - Great Lakes Institute of Management – Gurgaon, Haryana
India’s Most Promising Business Analytics Institute 2025 - Shivalik Institute of Management Education & Research – Pune, Maharashtra
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Student ROI & Placement Success) - SASMIRA’s Institute of Management Studies & Research – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Distinguished B-School of the Year 2025 (Industry Management Expertise)
Healthcare & Nursing Education
- Lakshmibai National College of Physical Education – Trivandrum, Kerala
Top Sports Education Institution of the Year 2025 - Institute of Health Management Research – Bengaluru, Karnataka
India’s Top Healthcare Management Institute of the Year 2025 - Bangalore Group of Institutions – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Top Nursing College of the Year 2025 (Placement Support & Industry Connections) - St. Stephens Hospital College of Nursing – Delhi
Top Nursing College of the Year 2025 (Clinical Training & Hospital Integration) - Asian Institute of Nursing Education – Guwahati, Assam
Prof. Dr. Ranju Rani Das – Visionary Woman Leader in Nursing and Healthcare 2025 - Raj Kumar Goel Institute of Technology – Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh
Distinguished Pharmacy College of the Year 2025 (North)
Dental Education
- Al-Azhar Dental College – Thodupuzha, Kerala
Best Dental College of the Year 2025 (Community Outreach) - Mar Baselios Dental College – Kothamangalam, Kerala
Prof. Dr. Byju Paul Kurian – Most Prominent Principal in Higher Education 2025 - Karmaveer Bhausaheb Hiray Dental College & Hospital
India’s Top Dental College of the Year 2025
Media, Design & Creative Fields
- Symbiosis Centre of Media Communication – Pune, Maharashtra
Best Media and Mass Communication Institute of the Year 2025 - Presidency School of Media Studies – Bengaluru, Karnataka
Best Media & Mass Comm Institute 2025 - Le Mark Institute – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Best Design Media Institute 2025 - Reliance Animation Academy
Best Animation VFX Institute of the Year 2025
Women’s & Specialized Education
- SDNB Vaishnav College for Women – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Distinguished Women’s College of the Year 2025
Professional & Life Sciences
- MITS School of Biotechnology – Bhubaneswar, Odisha
Best Professional Institute of the Year 2025 - Shri Gnanambica Degree College – Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh
Top Biotech Institute of the Year 2025
Hotel & Hospitality Management
- Asan School of Hospitality – Chennai, Tamil Nadu
India’s Most Elite Hotel Management College 2025
Architecture & Planning
- Thakur School of Architecture and Planning – Mumbai, Maharashtra
Distinguished Architecture Institute of the Year 2025
International Institutions Serving Indian Students
- Domus Academy – Milan, Italy
Italy’s Best International College for Indian Students 2025 - ISF International School Frankfurt – Frankfurt, Germany
Germany’s Best International School for Indian Students 2025
Distinguished Universities
- Yenepoya University
Distinguished University 2025 - Tilak Maharashtra Vidyapeeth – Pune, Maharashtra
Distinguished University 2025 (Digital Infrastructure & Innovation) - Glocal University – Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Distinguished University of the Year 2025 (Outstanding Mentorship and Student-Faculty Collaboration) - University of Science and Technology Meghalaya – Ri-Bhoi, Meghalaya
Distinguished University of the Year 2025 (Multidisciplinary Education Ecosystem) - Apex University – Jaipur, Rajasthan
Distinguished University of the Year 2025 (Academic Diversity & Specialization) - VIT Bhopal University – Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
Distinguished University of the Year 2025 (Social Impact Through Education)
Reflections & Impact
The Academic Insights Education Excellence Awards & Summit 2026 recognized over 100 institutions and leaders across diverse educational segments, from preschools nurturing foundational learning to universities pioneering research and innovation. The awards celebrated not just institutional metrics but the values of integrity, accessibility, holistic development, and social responsibility that define excellence in Indian education.
The gathering celebrated not just the destination, nor the awards or the accolades, but the journey of these institutions.
