NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 Winners Pictures: Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor & Armed Forces Honored

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NDTV Indian of the Year 2025: Celebrating India's Most Impactful Leaders

The NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 awards were held on December 19, 2025, in New Delhi, celebrating the "Ideas, Inspiration, and Impact" of individuals who have shaped India over the past year. The ceremony was a star-studded affair attended by top politicians, business tycoons, and Bollywood legends.


The Ultimate Honor: Indian of the Year

The highest honor of the evening, Indian of the Year, was conferred upon the Indian Armed Forces. The award recognized the extraordinary bravery and coordination displayed by the Army, Navy, and Air Force during "Operation Sindoor" in May 2025 and their unwavering resolve during the Pahalgam mission. Senior officers and Vir Chakra awardees accepted the trophy on behalf of the forces to a standing ovation.

Picture: Honouring the bravest of the brave, all recognised for their role in Op Sindoor. 6 Vir Chakras, 1 Nao Sena Gallantry Award winner. The Indian soldier was the 2025 NDTV Indian of the Year.

Video: Operation Sindoor War Heroes Speak To NDTV | NDTV Indian Of The Year 2025

Bollywood Highlights and Emotional Moments

The entertainment segment was the highlight of the night, filled with viral speeches and touching tributes.


  • Actor of the Year (Male): 

Vicky Kaushal took home the trophy for his powerhouse performance in Chhaava. In a heartwarming speech, he dedicated the award to his family and his newborn baby boy, mentioning it was his first time away from home since becoming a father.

Vicky Kaushal

Actor of the Year (Female): 

Janhvi Kapoor was honored for her role in the critically acclaimed film Homebound. The evening turned emotional when a 2012 clip of her late mother, Sridevi, winning the same award was played. A tearful Janhvi expressed her gratitude to director Neeraj Ghaywan for "seeing something in me that I often don't see in myself."

Janhvi Kapoor

 

Debutant Director of the Year: 

Aryan Khan won for his satirical Netflix series The Ba*ds of Bollywood. Displaying his father’s wit, he remarked, "Like my dad, I love awards, but this one is for my mom," while thanking Gauri Khan for her constant support.

Aryan Khan
 

Debutant of the Year: 

Ahaan Panday was recognized as the most promising newcomer of 2025.

 

Ahaan Panday

 Videos of NDTV Indian Of The Year 2025


Leaders in Science, Business, and Sports

The awards also spotlighted those driving India’s global and domestic growth:

Category and Winner(s)
  • Science Icon of the Year Group:
Captain Shubhanshu Shukla (First Indian on the ISS) & Prof. G. Madhavi Latha (Chenab Bridge Engineer)
  • Transformational Leader: 
Jay Shah (ICC Chairman) for his impact on global cricket
  • Business Leader of the Year:
Sunil Vachani (Executive Chairman, Dixon Technologies)
  • Sports Performance:
ICC Indian Women’s Cricket Team (Winners of the 2025 ODI World Cup)
  • Climate Impact:
Manvendra Singh Shekhawat for his ecological work with the Dhun Project

Notable Mentions
  • Disruptor of the Year: Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, was recognized for his focus on rural empowerment and tech innovation.
  • Health Leaders: Dr. Ashish and Dr. Kavita Satav of the MAHAN Trust were honored for their life-saving work in tribal regions.
  • Masterstroke Art Awards: NDTV also used the platform to announce a new initiative dedicated to recognizing excellence in Indian art and cultural leadership.
The event concluded with a powerful address by Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who praised the awardees as the "architects of a transformative India."

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