New Delhi, March 18, 2026: The third edition of the SrijanShakti Awards 2026, organised by World University of Design (WUD) at its Sonipat campus, brought together leading voices from academia, policy, industry, and the design community to honour women shaping India’s creative and innovation landscape.
Established as a national platform, the SrijanShakti Awards recognise women whose work is redefining entrepreneurship, industry innovation, and social impact through design. The initiative highlights how creativity can serve as a powerful driver of meaningful change across sectors.
The ceremony was attended by Dr. Shyama Rath, Member Secretary of All India Council for Technical Education, as Chief Guest, and Dr. Ashish Mohan of Confederation of Indian Industry as Guest of Honour.
Winners were selected through a rigorous evaluation process by a distinguished jury comprising Rathi Vinay Jha, founder of National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT); Puneeta Roy, co-founder of Teamwork Arts; Varun Jain; and Sandhya Raman.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vice Chancellor of WUD, said the awards aim to recognise women whose creativity not only produces exceptional work but also transforms industries, builds institutions, and creates opportunities for others.
Award Winners
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Design Entrepreneur of the Year: Kanika Seth – Founder, 2626 Creative Studio and Say It With a Pin
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Creative Innovation Champion: Shivani Mehta – Founder, Daakroom and Creative Director, bioQ and Kabir for Kids
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Social Impact Catalyst: Meghna Joshi – Founder, SWAN Livelihood
The awards celebrate women whose contributions extend beyond creative excellence to influence industries, empower communities, and shape India’s evolving design ecosystem.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Shyama Rath highlighted the growing role of women in innovation-driven sectors and emphasised the importance of platforms that recognise and inspire leadership in design, technology, and entrepreneurship.
The event also featured interactive sessions and talks by awardees and industry experts, offering students and young designers insights into their professional journeys, challenges, and the realities of building successful creative careers.
About WUD:
Founded in 2018 in Sonipat, Haryana, World University of Design is India’s first university dedicated exclusively to creative disciplines. With a QS I-Gauge Platinum rating in Design Education and an A+ grade in Outcome-Based Education, WUD continues to play a key role in advancing India’s creative economy through education, research, and industry engagement.
