The event also honoured institutions supporting Indian students, with IDP Education receiving the inaugural Agent of the Year Award and the University of Roehampton Desi Society being named Best Student Society
Outstanding Indians educated in British universities were honoured in London as the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK honoured the achievements of graduates making a global impact. The annual Achievers Honours event recognised leaders across politics, science, business and culture.
The ceremony highlighted 42 prominent individuals as part of the India-UK Achievers Class of 2026. Among them, seven exceptional achievers were selected for special recognition during a gala event held in central London.
The honoured group included India’s minister of state for skill development and education Jayant Chaudhary, entrepreneur and healthcare innovator Shuchin Bajaj, and chef-restaurateur Karan Gokani. Also recognised were author and global policy expert Rajesh Talwar, executive adviser Niti Paul, pioneering robotic surgeon Arun Prasad, and disability rights advocate and author Aditya Tiwari.
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The awards formed part of a wider three-day programme organised by NISAU UK in collaboration with Universities UK International and the UK government
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The programme included the India-UK Education Conference, where policymakers, academic leaders, investors and student representatives from both countries gathered to discuss the future of international education partnerships
British universities minister Jacqui Smith emphasised the importance of Indian students to the UK’s higher education sector. She noted that international students contribute significantly to academic research, economic growth and cultural exchange in Britain.
Smith added that graduates who return to leadership roles across the world become ambassadors for the UK’s education system, strengthening long-term partnerships between countries.
Sanam Arora, chair of NISAU UK and founder of the Achievers Honours programme, said the initiative highlights the growing influence of UK-educated Indians in global leadership.
She explained that graduates from British universities are playing major roles in politics, entrepreneurship, technology and the arts, demonstrating the powerful connection between the two nations.
According to Arora, the success stories celebrated through the programme symbolise the “living bridge” between India and the United Kingdom, showing how education continues to strengthen ties between the two countries.
