Mumbai, 5th February 2026: Product of the Year (POY) India, the world’s largest consumer-voted award for product innovation, today announced its official relaunch in India with a new logo, refreshed positioning, and renewed focus on recognising meaningful innovation that wins with consumers.
Globally and in India, the POY mark has been earned by some of the world’s most respected and innovation-led companies, including Hindustan Unilever, P&G, Nestlé, ITC, Marico, Godrej, L’Oréal, Samsung, Philips, Havells, Haier, ICICI Prudential Life, Axis Max Life, Tata AIA Life Insurance, among many others —underscoring the credibility and commercial relevance of the recognition.
Reintroduced for a fast-evolving Indian market, the relaunched POY India is the premier global recognition of innovation, not just an award—backed by independent consumer research and part of a platform that operates across more than 40 countries worldwide.
Emphasising the global strength behind the relaunch, Mike Nolan, Global CEO of Product of the Year, said: “Product of the Year is built on a simple but powerful principle — innovation should be validated by the people it is designed for consumers. Across markets worldwide, the POY mark helps shoppers make confident choices in crowded categories, while giving brands a proven platform to accelerate trust, trial and growth. India is one of the most dynamic innovation markets in the world today, and we are excited to see the program relaunch with a renewed focus on credibility, independence and real consumer voice.”
At a time when innovation is a national priority in India, across FMCG, technology, startups, and manufacturing, Product of the Year aims to become the definitive benchmark for consumer-validated innovation, helping brands move from self-claims to proof. The POY mark has proven to be a powerful signal of trust at shelf, on screen, and at scale—helping brands accelerate trial, strengthen launch and renovation narratives, and support premiumisation and trade conversations.
The renewed Product of the Year India brings together a new, modern logo that reflects credibility, momentum, and global relevance, alongside a sharper positioning anchored in consumer trust and
evidence-based innovation. Backed by NielsenIQ as its exclusive research partner, POY ensures rigorous, independent consumer validation while leveraging a stronger global connect that enables Indian innovations to gain international recognition. Unlike traditional awards driven by jury opinions only, POY winners are chosen by real consumers evaluating real innovation—making the POY mark a powerful signal of trust at shelf, screen, and scale. POY is evolving from an award into a brand-building and marketing validation platform, enabling winning brands to amplify their innovation story across media, retail, digital campaigns, and consumer touchpoints.
Commenting on the relaunch, Raj Arora, CEO, Product of the Year India, said: “India is entering a defining decade of innovation and we see it across large global brands as well as home grown brands that have achieved success and scale. Brands are investing more than ever in R&D, product development, and consumer-centric solutions—but innovation today needs proof, not just promotion. The relaunched Product of the Year India is designed to be that proof: a credible, consumer-validated certification that brands, leadership teams, and consumers can trust. With a new identity, NielsenIQ backed research, and a global platform, POY is ready to reclaim its relevance and raise the bar for innovation recognition in India.”
Product of the Year matters now more than ever as consumers become increasingly discerning, categories grow crowded with “new” and “improved” claims, and brand managers are under pressure to deliver defensible credibility—not just visibility. The POY recognition helps brands build faster consumer trust, strengthen launch and renovation narratives, support premiumisation and trade conversations, and signal innovation maturity to leadership teams and global stakeholders.
Product of the Year India has officially opened entries for the upcoming edition, inviting brands across categories to submit their most innovative products and services.
Eligible entries will be evaluated through independent consumer research conducted by NielsenIQ, with winners earning the right to carry the globally recognised POY recognition mark.
For entry details and submission guidelines, visit: www.productoftheyear.in
