Union Minister of State for Skill Development, Entrepreneurship and Education, Jayant Chaudhary, along with a new generation of Indian leaders in politics, science, entrepreneurship, and global policy, was honoured in London as part of the India UK Achievers Class of 2026. This recognition celebrates Indian students and alumni from UK institutions making a significant impact globally. The Achievers Honours represent the highest accolade that can be awarded to an Indian who has studied in the United Kingdom.
The Class of 2026 features 42 individual achievers, with 7 individuals distinguished as Outstanding Achievers across key sectors such as government, business, innovation, culture, and public policy. In addition, 14 organisations were recognised under the new categories of ‘Agent of the Year’ and ‘Best Student Society’.
The honourees were announced during a special reception at the UK Parliament, followed by the Outstanding Achievers presentation at the Achievers gala ceremony in London.
These awards were presented as part of a three-day India–UK programme, which also included the annual India UK Education Conference. The conference brought together policymakers, university leaders, investors, employers, and student representatives from both countries.
Outstanding Achievers 2026
Seven individuals were named winners from the wider outstanding achievers, recognising exceptional global impact.
Among them were:
- Jayant Chaudhary – Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and; Education
- Karan Gokani – Cambridge-educated chef, author and co-founder of the internationally acclaimed Hoppers restaurant group
- Rajesh Talwar – global policy author who has worked with the United Nations across three continents
- Dr Shuchin Bajaj – founder of the Ujala Cygnus healthcare network operating 26 hospitals across India
- Niti Paul – executive advisor and founder of MohPra Advisory with global leadership experience across financial institutions
- Dr Arun Prasad – pioneering robotic surgeon credited with performing the world’s first robotic mini gastric bypass
- Aditya Tiwari – author, speaker and disability inclusion advocate recognised for his work advancing social impact and inclusive leadership
Emerging Political Voices
The honours also recognised emerging political voices shaping India’s democratic discourse, including Anish Gawande, National Spokesperson of the Nationalist Congress Party (SP) and a Rhodes Scholar, and Oxford alum Dharanidharan Selvam, National Spokesperson of the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK).
The programme also recognised organisations supporting international student mobility. Global education services provider IDP Education received the inaugural Agent of the Year Award, while the University of Roehampton Desi Society was named Best Student Society.
Lord Krish Raval and Lord Uday Nagaraju addressed the audience during the awards.
Sanam Arora, Chair of NISAU and Founder of the Achievers Honours, said, “The India UK Achievers programme was created to recognise the extraordinary global impact of Indians who have studied in the UK. The Class of 2026 reflects the scale of that influence — from ministers and political leaders to scientists, entrepreneurs and cultural innovators. Their journeys show how education continues to power the Living Bridge between India and the UK and produce leaders who are shaping the future of both nations.”
Aditya Tiwari honoured for journalism work
Indian poet and broadcaster Aditya Tiwari has been honoured with the Outstanding Achiever (Media & Journalism) award at the India–UK Achievers Honours, recognising his contributions to journalism and his efforts to amplify underrepresented voices across India and the UK.
Speaking after receiving the award at the UK Parliament, Tiwari said the recognition held special significance. Growing up in Jabalpur, he described the moment as a testament to how storytelling can transcend borders and bring voices from smaller towns into global conversations.
Tiwari has built a multidisciplinary career spanning poetry, broadcasting, journalism and cultural commentary. His work frequently explores themes of identity, migration, memory and queer visibility, establishing him as a distinctive voice in contemporary Indian and diasporic literature.
