DDSEA 2026 10th July 2026 · NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai
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10th July 2026  ·  NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai
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Nature  ~  Earth  ~  Environment

प्रकृति  ~  पृथ्वी  ~  पर्यावरण

Dedicated to Harit Yoddhas (Green Warriors) and Prakriti Rakshaks (Nature Guardians)
Nominate Now Explore Categories
Supported By
Media Partner ESG News
Knowledge Partner Whitecanvas
Community Partner Devlopematrix
Impact Partner Nadhi
Media Partner ESG News
Knowledge Partner Whitecanvas
Impact Partner Nadhi
Community Partner Devlopematrix
✦ Inaugural Edition ✦

DesiDhaakad™ Social Impact Awards 2025–26 (DDSIA) co-hosted by NSE Social Stock Exchange on 20th March 2026 at NSE Mumbai - celebrated 17 extraordinary women grassroots changemakers across 11 categories. Honouring pioneers in healthcare, education, gender equality & community development.

Building on this momentum, we proudly launch DDSEA 2026 - India's foremost sustainability excellence awards for women environmental warriors.

Our Story

What is DesiDhaakad™

DesiDhaakad - Women & Nature

DesiDhaakad™ draws from Indian vernacular - 'Desi' meaning rooted in culture and heritage, 'Dhaakad' meaning formidable, gutsy. Together, it celebrates women who embody resilience, courage, and an indomitable spirit while staying grounded in their identity.

This analogy honours trailblazers who shatter stereotypes and forge new paths with grit. It reflects women who are unapologetically bold yet deeply connected to their roots - breaking barriers across industries and society.

DDSEA 2026 is the dedicated green vertical of India's most spirited platform for women‑led initiatives. It shines a national spotlight on Harit Yoddhas (Green Warriors) and Prakriti Rakshaks (Nature Guardians) driving grassroots sustainability - from water conservation and zero‑waste models to climate resilience, green innovation, renewable energy, and biodiversity protection.

"

Not just an award , a declaration.

Be Part of the Movement

"The future of sustainability isn't loud. It's rooted. Resilient. Radiant."

Why It Matters

Women are
India's Climate
Backbone

Across 28 states, millions of women protect forests, conserve water, champion clean energy and build circular economies , often invisibly. DDSEA makes their work visible, validated, and celebrated.

SDG 5 · Gender Equality SDG 13 · Climate Action SDG 15 · Life on Land Viksit Bharat 2047
Why Sustainability Matters
Recognition

Award Categories

Ten prestigious categories honouring every dimension of women's sustainability leadership.

💧
जल रक्षक

Jal Rakshak

Guardians of water , protecting rivers, aquifers and wetlands for future generations.

⚡
ऊर्जा वीर

Urja Veer

Champions of clean and renewable energy transforming communities across India.

🌍
धरती रक्षक

Dharti Rakshak

Stewards of land, soil and biodiversity who protect the earth beneath our feet.

♻️
अपशिष्ट रक्षक

Apashisht Rakshak

Zero-waste visionaries building circular economies from grassroots to scale.

🌿
प्रकृति रक्षक

Prakriti Rakshak

Nature's protectors , conserving forests, flora and the ecological web of life.

🔄
चक्र रक्षक

Chakra Rakshak

Circular economy pioneers closing resource loops and reinventing production systems.

🌾
आजीविका नेतृत्व

Sustainable Livelihood Stewardship

Creating resilient, eco-conscious livelihoods that lift communities sustainably.

💡
विचार नेतृत्व

Thought Leadership

Voices shaping India's sustainability discourse through ideas, research and advocacy.

🏆
धाकड़ सम्मान

Dhaakad Samman

The highest honour , for a lifetime of courageous, transformational sustainability work.

⭐
जूरी विशेष

Jury Special Award

Reserved for extraordinary, category-defying impact chosen by the distinguished jury.

Submit Your Nomination
Our Objectives

What We Stand For

Inspire Future Generations

Creating role models who show young women that sustainability is a calling, not just a career.

Promote Inclusivity

From tribal forests to urban boardrooms , every woman's sustainability contribution counts equally.

Foster Collaboration

Building a national network of changemakers who amplify each other's impact across ecosystems.

Build Global Narrative

Positioning India's women-led sustainability movement on the world stage where it belongs.

Empower Grassroots Women

Giving voice, visibility and validation to women whose work sustains life itself , silently, powerfully.

Program Structure

The Journey to Recognition

01
Phase I

Nominations

Open nominations from across India. Any individual, organisation or institution can nominate a woman sustainability leader in any of the ten categories.

02
Phase II

Screening

A dedicated committee reviews all entries for eligibility, impact metrics and alignment with DDSEA's sustainability criteria.

03
Phase III

Jury Evaluation

Distinguished jury members representing science, policy, business and civil society evaluate shortlisted nominees with rigour and care.

04
Phase IV

Recognition

Winners are announced and featured across national media, digital platforms and DDSEA's storytelling channels , their stories told to the world.

🏆
Grand Finale

Award Ceremony

A breathtaking evening at NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai. Luminaries, changemakers, media and movement builders gather to celebrate India's green women warriors.

10th July 2026 · NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai

Our Chief Guest

Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee

Dr. Bhaskar Chatterjee

  • Former Secretary to Govt. of India, Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
  • Former Director General & CEO, Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, New Delhi
  • Former CEO, Anil Agarwal Foundation, Vedanta Group
  • Currently Senior Adviser, Deloitte India, Dua Consulting and Centre for Responsible Business
Distinguished Panel

Meet the Grand Jury

An esteemed council of leaders guiding India's sustainability recognition process.

Jury Members
Mohan Tanksale

Mohan Tanksale

Former CEO of Indian Banks’ Association, Former CMD, Central Bank of India, Mentor - Rubix Data Sciences, Corpository, Experian, CapitaWorld & McXtra
Dr. Brinda Jagirdar

Dr. Brinda Jagirdar

Independent Director and Business Economist
Sanjeev Rohilla

Sanjeev Rohilla

Chief General Manager, Department of Climate Action and Sustainability (DCAS) NABARD
Dr. Mukund Rajan

Dr. Mukund Rajan

Chairperson ECube Investment Advisors Private Limited
Shrikant Sarda

Shrikant Sarda

Business and Technology Strategic Advisor | Academia Strategic Advisor | Ex-Managing Director - Accenture Technology | Innovator | Mentor | Motivational Speaker
Preselection Panel
Shalini Bharat

Shalini Bharat

Founder, Nadhi – SheforClimate & The Kind Business | Speaker | Advisor
Renjini Liza Varghese

Renjini Liza Varghese

CEO & Founder, Chief News Editor - Write Canvas
Latha Sankanarayan

Latha Sankanarayan

Eco-preneur & Founder - Developmatrix
Management Committee
Sarita Bahl

Sarita Bahl

Independent Board Director CSR | ESG | Corporate Governance
Dr. Anupama Vaidya

Dr. Anupama Vaidya

HC | F.IOD - Business & People Strategist
Jyoti Rai

Jyoti Rai

Founder Etherwire.Ai
Jacinta Dsouza

Jacinta Dsouza

Imapct study | Chief of OPS Etherwire
Sunita Fernandes

Sunita Fernandes

Management Committee
Who Can Apply

Eligibility Criteria

DDSEA 2026 is open to a wide spectrum of individuals and organisations driving sustainability in India.

Check Eligibility & Nominate

Individual Women Leaders

  • Women of any age actively engaged in sustainability work
  • Minimum 2 years of demonstrated impact in chosen category
  • Indian national or working within India
  • Any sector: grassroots, government, corporate, NGO, academia

Organisations & Institutions

  • Organisations with women in founding or leadership roles
  • Demonstrable sustainability impact with measurable outcomes
  • Operational for minimum 2 years
  • Registered entity in India (NGO, Section 8, MSME, startup etc.)

Women-led Initiatives

  • Community-led sustainability programs by women collectives
  • SHGs, cooperatives, and grassroots movements eligible
  • No formal registration required for grassroots groups
  • Documentation of impact through community testimony accepted

Sustainability Requirements

  • Work must align with at least one DDSEA award category
  • Environmental or social sustainability impact is mandatory
  • Nominees should not be involved in legal/ethical violations
  • Self-nominations and peer nominations both accepted
Simple Steps

How to Nominate

01

Nominate

Fill out the online nomination form with the nominee's details, category, and impact statement.

→
02

Pre-Select

Our screening committee reviews nominations for completeness and eligibility criteria.

→
03

Jury Review

Shortlisted nominees are evaluated by our distinguished jury panel across defined impact parameters.

→
04

Award Ceremony

Winners are celebrated at the grand ceremony on 10th July 2026 at NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai.

Our Ecosystem

Partners & Supporters

Join the movement that is redefining India's sustainability landscape.

Media Partner ESG News
Knowledge Partner Whitecanvas
Co‑host Partner NSE ESG
Impact Partner Nadhi
Community Partner Devlopematrix

Shakti Credits 2047 Partners

Open for 2026

Nominate a
Green Warrior

Know a woman who is quietly, powerfully changing India's environmental story? She deserves to be seen. Nominate her today.

Ceremony: NSE Atrium, BKC, Mumbai · 10th July 2026
10 Award Categories Available
Nominate a Green Warrior

BE THE REASON
HER STORY INSPIRES
A NATION.

✧

Celebrate her
environmental impact.