The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 recognise products that create measurable value in the Indian market through innovation, customer adoption, and business performance. Spanning enterprise technology, financial services, consumer products, mobility, healthcare and other sectors, the awards aim to spotlight products that demonstrate tangible outcomes beyond launch announcements and marketing claims. The programme evaluates products on their market impact, adoption, innovation and execution quality. Eligible entries are assessed by experienced business leaders, operators and category specialists, with an emphasis on evidence-backed performance and real-world value. Categories across enterprise, commercial and horizontal segments The awards cover products across a wide range of industries, allowing businesses to nominate products in categories that align with their functionality, target audience and market contribution. Also Read More: ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Where product innovation meets broader market impact Live Events Enterprise categories The Enterprise segment recognises software, platforms and solutions that help businesses improve operations, strengthen capabilities and address industry-specific challenges. 1. Enterprise SaaS Recognises software-as-a-service products designed to support large organisations with business-critical operations, workflows and enterprise-wide requirements. 2. FinTech Infrastructure Covers technology platforms that power financial services, including the systems and infrastructure enabling financial institutions to operate and deliver services efficiently. 3. Cybersecurity Recognises products that help organisations protect digital assets, secure networks, manage risks and strengthen their defence against cyber threats. 4. Developer Tools and Platforms Covers tools and platforms that help developers build, test, deploy and manage software more efficiently throughout the development lifecycle. 5. Vertical SaaS Recognises software solutions designed for the specific needs, workflows and operational challenges of particular industries. 6. Data and Cloud Infrastructure Covers products that help businesses manage, store, process and secure data while supporting scalable cloud-based operations. 7. HR and WorkTech Recognises technology that supports workforce management, recruitment, employee engagement, payroll, learning and other human resource functions. 8. MarTech and SalesTech Covers platforms that help businesses improve marketing performance, manage customer relationships, automate sales processes and generate measurable commercial outcomes. 9. Industrial & Engineering Recognises products and technologies that support industrial operations, engineering processes, automation and manufacturing efficiency. 10. Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions Covers products that improve transportation, warehousing, inventory management, fulfilment and supply chain visibility. 11. Business & Professional Services Recognises products and solutions that help businesses and professionals improve service delivery, streamline workflows and manage specialised business requirements. 12. IT & Digital Services Covers digital and technology-led services that help organisations modernise systems, improve technology capabilities and support digital transformation. Also Read More: The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026: Recognising products that have already made their mark Commercial categories The Commercial segment focuses on products serving consumers and individual users across financial services, technology, mobility, healthcare, lifestyle and other everyday needs. 1. Banking Products Recognises banking offerings designed to address customer needs through accessible services, useful features and improved banking experiences. 2. Credit Cards Covers credit card products that offer differentiated benefits, rewards, payment convenience and value for specific customer segments. 3. Payments and Consumer Fintech Recognises products that simplify digital payments, money management and other financial activities for individual consumers. 4. Insurance Covers insurance products that address protection needs through relevant coverage, customer-friendly features and accessible services. 5. Wealth and Investment Platforms Recognises platforms that help users manage investments, access financial information and make informed wealth-related decisions. 6. Smartphones Covers smartphone products that stand out through their features, performance, design, usability and value proposition. 7. Consumer Electronics Recognises electronic products designed to improve everyday convenience, connectivity, entertainment and productivity. 8. Home and Kitchen Appliances Covers appliances that support household tasks, improve convenience and offer practical solutions for modern homes. 9. Wearables and Hearables Recognises wearable devices and audio products that enhance connectivity, personal tracking, health monitoring and everyday listening experiences. 10. Consumer Apps Covers applications that address consumer needs through useful functionality, accessible design, engagement and a strong user experience. 11. Quick Commerce and Retail Recognises products and platforms that improve shopping convenience, product discovery, purchasing and fulfilment for consumers. 12. Electric Vehicles Covers electric mobility products that offer alternatives to conventional vehicles through their technology, usability, performance and ownership proposition. 13. Food and Beverage Recognises food and beverage products that differentiate themselves through product quality, taste, convenience, formulation or consumer appeal. 14. Beauty and Personal Care Covers products designed for skincare, haircare, grooming and personal hygiene, with an emphasis on consumer needs and product differentiation. 15. D2C Products Recognises direct-to-consumer products that build their market presence through distinctive offerings, customer engagement and direct distribution models. 16. Healthcare and MedTech Covers healthcare products and medical technologies that support diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, care delivery or improved patient outcomes. 17. Wellness and Fitness Recognises products that support physical activity, fitness routines, personal wellbeing and healthier everyday habits. 18. Education & EdTech Covers educational products and technology-enabled learning solutions that improve access to learning, teaching, skill development or educational outcomes. 19. Astrology & Spirituality Recognises products and platforms that serve astrology, spiritual practices and related consumer interests through accessible services and experiences. Horizontal Awards In addition to the main categories, the awards include horizontal categories that recognise products for specific attributes or broader contributions. 1. Make in India Product of the Year Recognises products that demonstrate the contribution of Indian product development, innovation and capabilities to the market. 2. Sustainable Product of the Year Recognises products that demonstrate meaningful environmental impact through their design, materials, production, use or other sustainability outcomes. Product eligibility and nomination criteria Products must be available in India and qualify as live software, hardware, vehicles, financial products or consumer products. They must have been launched or significantly upgraded between 1 January 2025 and 30 September 2026. Entrants must be able to provide evidence of adoption, growth, usage or commercial results. Nominations must be submitted by the product owner, operating company or official India entity. Products incorporating AI as one of their features may be considered under the relevant category, while AI-first products should be considered for the separate ET AI Product Awards. How are products evaluated? The awards assess entries across four key areas: Market impact: The value created by the product in its market and the outcomes it delivers. Adoption: Customer numbers, usage, growth, retention, distribution and market reach. Innovation: The product's differentiating features and the value they offer users. Execution quality: Reliability, user experience, delivery and the ability to perform at scale. The evaluation process emphasises measurable outcomes and supporting evidence rather than promotional claims alone. Why nominate a product? Participating in the ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 allows businesses to benchmark their products against other offerings in the market and receive an independent assessment. Recognition can help strengthen credibility with customers, investors and business partners while bringing attention to the product's capabilities and achievements. The awards also provide a platform for businesses to demonstrate how their products address real-world challenges, improve customer experiences and deliver measurable value. Visibility through The Economic Times' ecosystem can help product teams share their stories with industry leaders, decision-makers and wider audiences. Companies can nominate multiple products, with each product evaluated separately. A product may also be entered in multiple eligible categories, with each nomination assessed independently. Nomination fees do not influence the selection of winners, and submitted information is treated as confidential subject to the programme's terms. Put your product forward The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 offer businesses across enterprise and consumer markets an opportunity to demonstrate what their products have achieved. By focusing on adoption, innovation, execution, and measurable market outcomes, the awards aim to recognise products delivering tangible value to customers and making a mark in their respective sectors. Businesses can explore the categories and submit their nominations through the official ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 website. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
Recognising products driving market impact
The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026 recognise products that create measurable value in the Indian market through innovation, customer adoption, and business performance. Spanning enterprise technology, financial services, consumer products, mobility, healthcare and other sectors, the awards aim to spotlight products that demonstrate tangible outcomes beyond launch announcements and marketing claims. The programme evaluates products on their market impact, adoption, innovation and execution quality. Eligible entries are assessed by experienced business leaders, operators and category specialists, with an emphasis on evidence-backed performance and real-world value. Categories across enterprise, commercial and horizontal segments The awards cover products across a wide range of industries, allowing businesses to nominate products in categories that align with their functionality, target audience and market contribution. Also Read More: ET Product of the Year Awards 2026: Where product innovation meets broader market impact Live Events Enterprise categories The Enterprise segment recognises software, platforms and solutions that help businesses improve operations, strengthen capabilities and address industry-specific challenges. 1. Enterprise SaaS Recognises software-as-a-service products designed to support large organisations with business-critical operations, workflows and enterprise-wide requirements. 2. FinTech Infrastructure Covers technology platforms that power financial services, including the systems and infrastructure enabling financial institutions to operate and deliver services efficiently. 3. Cybersecurity Recognises products that help organisations protect digital assets, secure networks, manage risks and strengthen their defence against cyber threats. 4. Developer Tools and Platforms Covers tools and platforms that help developers build, test, deploy and manage software more efficiently throughout the development lifecycle. 5. Vertical SaaS Recognises software solutions designed for the specific needs, workflows and operational challenges of particular industries. 6. Data and Cloud Infrastructure Covers products that help businesses manage, store, process and secure data while supporting scalable cloud-based operations. 7. HR and WorkTech Recognises technology that supports workforce management, recruitment, employee engagement, payroll, learning and other human resource functions. 8. MarTech and SalesTech Covers platforms that help businesses improve marketing performance, manage customer relationships, automate sales processes and generate measurable commercial outcomes. 9. Industrial & Engineering Recognises products and technologies that support industrial operations, engineering processes, automation and manufacturing efficiency. 10. Logistics & Supply Chain Solutions Covers products that improve transportation, warehousing, inventory management, fulfilment and supply chain visibility. 11. Business & Professional Services Recognises products and solutions that help businesses and professionals improve service delivery, streamline workflows and manage specialised business requirements. 12. IT & Digital Services Covers digital and technology-led services that help organisations modernise systems, improve technology capabilities and support digital transformation. Also Read More: The Economic Times Product of the Year Awards 2026: Recognising products that have already made their mark Commercial categories The Commercial segment focuses on products serving consumers and individual users across financial services, technology, mobility, healthcare, lifestyle and other everyday needs. 1. Banking Products Recognises banking offerings designed to address customer needs through accessible services, useful features and improved banking experiences. 2. Credit Cards Covers credit card products that offer differentiated benefits, rewards, payment convenience and value for specific customer segments. 3. Payments and Consumer Fintech Recognises products that simplify digital payments, money management and other financial activities for individual consumers. 4. Insurance Covers insurance products that address protection needs through relevant coverage, customer-friendly features and accessible services. 5. Wealth and Investment Platforms Recognises platforms that help users manage investments, access financial information and make informed wealth-related decisions. 6. Smartphones Covers smartphone products that stand out through their features, performance, design, usability and value proposition. 7. Consumer Electronics Recognises electronic products designed to improve everyday convenience, connectivity, entertainment and productivity. 8. Home and Kitchen Appliances Covers appliances that support household tasks, improve convenience and offer practical solutions for modern homes. 9. Wearables and Hearables Recognises wearable devices and audio products that enhance connectivity, personal tracking, health monitoring and everyday listening experiences. 10. Consumer Apps Covers applications that address consumer needs through useful functionality, accessible design, engagement and a strong user experience. 11. Quick Commerce and Retail Recognises products and platforms that improve shopping convenience, product discovery, purchasing and fulfilment for consumers. 12. Electric Vehicles Covers electric mobility products that offer alternatives to conventional vehicles through their technology, usability, performance and ownership proposition. 13. Food and Beverage Recognises food and beverage products that differentiate themselves through product quality, taste, convenience, formulation or consumer appeal. 14. Beauty and Personal Care Covers products designed for skincare, haircare, grooming and personal hygiene, with an emphasis on consumer needs and product differentiation. 15. D2C Products Recognises direct-to-consumer products that build their market presence through distinctive offerings, customer engagement and direct distribution models. 16. Healthcare and MedTech Covers healthcare products and medical technologies that support diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, care delivery or improved patient outcomes. 17. Wellness and Fitness Recognises products that support physical activity, fitness routines, personal wellbeing and healthier everyday habits. 18. Education & EdTech Covers educational products and technology-enabled learning solutions that improve access to learning, teaching, skill development or educational outcomes. 19. Astrology & Spirituality Recognises products and platforms that serve astrology, spiritual practices and related consumer interests through accessible services and experiences. Horizontal Awards In addition to the main categories, the awards include horizontal categories that recognise products for specific attributes or broader contributions. 1. Make in India Product of the Year Recognises products that demonstrate the contribution of Indian product development, innovation and capabilities to the market. 2. Sustainable Product of the Year Recognises products that demonstrate meaningful environmental impact through their design, materials, production, use or other sustainability outcomes. Product eligibility and nomination criteria Products must be available in India and qualify as live software, hardware, vehicles, financial products or consumer products. They must have been launched or significantly upgraded between 1 January 2025 and 30 September 2026. Entrants must be able to provide evidence of adoption, growth, usage or commercial results. Nominations must be submitted by the product owner, operating company or official India entity. Products incorporating AI as one of their features may be considered under the relevant category, while AI-first products should be considered for the separate ET AI Product Awards. How are products evaluated? The awards assess entries across four key areas: Market impact: The value created by the product in its market and the outcomes it delivers. Adoption: Customer numbers, usage, growth, retention, distribution and market reach. Innovation: The product's differentiating features and the value they offer users. Execution quality: Reliability, user experience, delivery and the ability to perform at scale. The evaluation process emphasises measurable outcomes and supporting evidence rather than promotional claims alone. Why nominate a product? Participating in the ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 allows businesses to benchmark their products against other offerings in the market and receive an independent assessment. Recognition can help strengthen credibility with customers, investors and business partners while bringing attention to the product's capabilities and achievements. The awards also provide a platform for businesses to demonstrate how their products address real-world challenges, improve customer experiences and deliver measurable value. Visibility through The Economic Times' ecosystem can help product teams share their stories with industry leaders, decision-makers and wider audiences. Companies can nominate multiple products, with each product evaluated separately. A product may also be entered in multiple eligible categories, with each nomination assessed independently. Nomination fees do not influence the selection of winners, and submitted information is treated as confidential subject to the programme's terms. Put your product forward The ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 offer businesses across enterprise and consumer markets an opportunity to demonstrate what their products have achieved. By focusing on adoption, innovation, execution, and measurable market outcomes, the awards aim to recognise products delivering tangible value to customers and making a mark in their respective sectors. Businesses can explore the categories and submit their nominations through the official ET Product of the Year Awards 2026 website. Add as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel)
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