CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D 2026

ABOUT THE AWARDS

The CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D recognize organizations that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to research and development as a strategic driver of growth, innovation, and global competitiveness.

As India progresses through Amritkaal, industrial R&D plays a pivotal role in strengthening technological self-reliance and translating research into impactful products, processes, and technologies. Instituted by CII as part of its National Mission on Technology, Innovation, and Research, the awards highlight best-in-class R&D practices that deliver measurable business and societal impact.

The Awards seek to:

Benchmark and elevate standards of Industrial R&D excellence
Encourage sustained and strategic investment in research capability
Recognize indigenous technology development and IP creation
Showcase R&D models that deliver measurable economic, industrial, and societal value

AWARD CATEGORIES

Digital, AI (AI/ML, Big Data, Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity, Digital Platforms)

Financial Technologies (, FinTech, Digital Payments, Blockchain, Digital Infrastructure, Telecom etc.)

Life Sciences & Healthcare (Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology, Medical Devices, Diagnostics, Digital health, Clinical research, Healthcare Systems, Genomics, Bioengineering etc.)

Engineering, Manufacturing & Industrial Tech (Capital Goods & Heavy Engineering, Industrial Machinery, Robotics and Automation, Process Engineering, HVAC, Aerospace etc.)

Materials, Chemicals, and Textiles (Specialty Chemicals, Petrochemicals, Advanced Materials Cement & Construction materials etc.)

Mobility & Infrastructure System (Automotive & EVs, Transportation Systems, Railways, Logistics, Construction Technologies, Smart Infrastructure etc)

Energy, Sustainability & Climate (Power Generation, Renewable Energy, Oil & Gas & Refineries, Energy Storage & Batteries, Green Hydrogen, Energy Efficiency & Carbon Capture, Climate Tech, Circular Economy Solutions)

Emerging & Frontier Tech (Quantum Technologies, Next-Gen Computing, Deep Tech, SpaceTech, DefenseTech, Advanced Computing, Semiconductors, Electronics etc)

AgriTech (Agriculture & AgriTech, seeds, crop science, precision farming, bio-based products etc)

Infrastructure systems (Logistics, Construction Technologies, Smart Infrastructure etc)

Special Awards

Outstanding R&D Leadership Award

APPLICATION PROCESS

Registration & Login Creation

Applicants create a login ID and receive
credentials via email.

Online Application Submission

Applicants complete and submit the online application form.

Screening & Shortlisting

Applications are screened by assessors, and shortlisted entries are taken forward for next stage.

Final Jury Assessment

Shortlisted organizations and institutions are evaluated by the jury.

Awards Ceremony

Winners are felicitated with a trophy and
certificate.

ABOUT THE FRAMEWORK

A comprehensive multi-dimensional framework evaluating R&D excellence

R&D Strategy & Governance

Investment & Capital Efficiency

Technology Depth & IP Creation

Commercialization & Industrial Impact

Collaboration & Ecosystem Integration

Talent & Capability Development

Applications will be evaluated on:

R&D vision, strategy, and governance
Investment in R&D and infrastructure
Talent development and capability building
Innovation pipeline and execution

Intellectual property creation and management
Commercialization and business impact
Societal and sustainability impact
Future R&D roadmap

JURY MEMBERS

Prof G. Padmanaban

Former Director
IISc

Mr Suzuki Takashi

Director General
JETRO

Prof Ranjan Bose

Director
IIIT Delhi

Dr Thomas Gfeller

Director
Switzerland Innovation Park

WHO CAN APPLY

Eligible Organizations

Indian companies with in-house R&D centres

Global Corporate Hubs having R&D centers in India

Public sector enterprises with established R&D units

Eligibility Criteria

Minimum 1 year of sustained R&D activity

Demonstrable outcomes such as products, processes, patents, or technologies

Compliance with applicable statutory and ethical standards

BENEFITS OF AWARDS

National Recognition for R&D Leadership

Earn prestigious CII recognition for building a strong, outcome-driven R&D ecosystem.

Structured R&D Maturity Benchmarking

Assess your R&D processes, governance, and outcomes against a structured excellence framework and leading peers.

Expert Evaluation & Strategic Insights

Receive actionable feedback from an eminent jury and domain experts

High-Impact Visibility

Showcase your R&D capabilities to policymakers, industry leaders, academia, and innovation partners.

Actionable Improvement Insights

Gain expert feedback and best practices to strengthen strategy, accelerate commercialization, and improve innovation ROI.

Stronger Brand & Talent Appeal

Position your organization as an R&Dled innovator, enhancing credibility, investor confidence, and talent attraction.

IS YOUR ORGANIZATION
R&D-READY?

Your organisation is well aligned with the CII Awards for Excellence in Industrial R&D if you:

Invest strategically and consistently in industrial R&D across manufacturing or services

Have an institutionalized R&D function with defined leadership, governance structures, and performance metrics

Systematically develop new or significantly improved products, processes, or technologies through structured research programs

Translate research outcomes into measurable business performance, IP creation, or societal impact

Foster industry–academia or technology partnerships that strengthen innovation pipelines

Build and sustain world-class scientific and engineering talent, supported by long-term capability development

If these reflect your organization's R&D journey, the Awards offer a credible platform to benchmark, validate, and showcase your excellence.

Apply for the Awards

APPLICATION FEE

Large Enterprises

Manufacturing / Service

INR 70,000

+ applicable taxes

MSME