• The evening celebrated the achievements of UK-educated professionals for the four award categories- Science and Sustainability Award, Culture, Creativity and Sport Award, Social Action Award, and Business and Innovation Award
• Senior leaders and distinguished guests from the British Council and UK Government joined the celebration of UK alumni achievements
• Twelfth edition receives over 1,800 applications globally across 120+ countries, including 233 from India – the highest from any country

British Council, the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities, recently hosted the twelfth edition of the prestigious Study UK Alumni Awards 2026 in India. The awards recognised the remarkable work and achievements of alumni of UK higher education institutions across various sectors.

Alumni Awards is a global platform, and India is hosting a national-level Study UK Alumni Awards ceremony, a testament to the significant impact UK alumni have in the country. This year’s awards were attended by Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Higher Education Minister for the Government of Karnataka, Chandru Iyer, British Deputy High Commissioner to Karnataka and Kerala, Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, Janaka Pushpanathan, Director South India, British Council. The audiences enjoyed the amazing music performance by Bindu Subramaniam and Ambi Subramaniam – Bindu is an Alumni of University of London.

This prestigious international award celebrates UK higher education and the achievements of UK alumni all over the world, putting a focus on impact towards their local communities. The award received 233 applications from India – the highest globally – and over 1,800 applications from international UK alumni across more than 120 countries, representing over 140 UK universities.

The evening celebrated the achievements of UK-educated professionals for the four award categories- Science and Sustainability Award, Culture, Creativity and Sport Award, Social Action Award, and Business and Innovation Award.

Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council, remarked, “The twelfth edition of Study UK Alumni Awards celebrated the remarkable journeys of UK alumni who are driving innovation, shaping industries, and creating meaningful impact within their communities and beyond. Each year, these awards highlight the depth of talent and leadership that emerges from the UK’s world-class education system. We are proud to recognise this year’s finalists, whose achievements reflect not only professional excellence but also the enduring strength of the UK-India partnership.”

Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Hon’ble Higher Education Minister for the Government of Karnataka, said, “Karnataka is home to a vibrant ecosystem of innovators, entrepreneurs, and change-makers, many of whom are proud alumni of UK universities. It is truly inspiring to witness the remarkable achievements of the Study UK Alumni Awards winners. Our continued collaboration with the British Council is opening new avenues for young people from India and the UK to connect, collaborate, and learn from one another. Such partnerships play an important role in strengthening our educational ties and creating global opportunities for the next generation.”

The Science and Sustainability Award recognises distinguished alumni in the world of science and sustainability who have demonstrated the impact and scale of their achievements in their profession and beyond. The award was presented to Meghna Singhania, an alumnus of London School of Economics and Warwick Business School. At present, she’s the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Medical Dialogues.

The Culture, Creativity and Sport Award acknowledges alumni who have carved a career for themselves in arts and culture and demonstrated their artistic ingenuity, influence, sport and creativity. The award was presented to Aman Dhall, an alumnus of the Loughborough University and founder of CommsCredible, a global comms-tech venture supporting high-growth businesses across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East.

The Social Action Award honours the work of alumni who have made an exceptional contribution and commitment to creating positive social change and improving the lives of others. The award was presented to Pavan Kumar Sriram, who studied at Swansea University (Prifysgol Abertawe). Pavan is a social entrepreneur and founder of Kohort and The Growth Collective and also advances equitable access to higher education and leadership globally.

The Business and Innovation Award is bestowed upon alumni who are active in initiating and contributing to innovative or creative new ideas, solutions, or business opportunities that have the potential for growth. The award was presented to Richa Roy, an alumnus of University of Oxford. She's a partner at Cyril Amarchand Mangaldas and has also advised on the UK-India Free Trade Agreement.

The winners of the UK Alumni Awards in India will gain enhanced visibility, networking opportunities, and professional growth avenues. The finalists also stand a chance to be selected as global winners, who will be invited to the UK for a special networking visit, engaging with key stakeholders and fellow awardees.

For more information, please visit: https://www.britishcouncil.in/study-uk/alumni-awards.