1. Education and Training Excellence Award

This award recognises educational institutions, training academies, and organisations that have demonstrated exceptional commitment to developing women’s talent in print and packaging. The award honours institutions that have gone beyond conventional teaching to create meaningful pathways for women through curriculum innovation, specialised training modules, workshops, seminars, masterclasses, industry exposure, and hands-on learning opportunities.

The Jury will look for evidence of impactful initiatives such as structured certification programmes, partnerships with industry, placement support, mentoring networks, in-house training centres, and efforts that encourage women to pursue technical, production, design, or managerial careers in the sector.

Entries may be submitted by institutions themselves, their faculty or training divisions, or collaborating industry partners who can validate the outcomes.

Parameters and Weightage

• Programme Design and Curriculum Innovation – 25%
  (Relevance, depth, industry alignment, specialised modules for women)
• Industry Integration and Practical Exposure – 20%
  (Live projects, factory exposure, internships, partnerships, masterclasses)
• Women Participation and Progression Outcomes – 25%
  (Enrolments, certifications completed, placements, career transitions)
• Mentorship, Support Systems and Accessibility – 15%
  (Mentors, scholarships, support networks, inclusive access)
• Scalability and Long-term Impact – 15%
  (Sustainability, repeatability, growth potential)

2. Factory Team of the Year

This award recognises organisations that have built exemplary women-led teams driving operational excellence on the shop floor. It celebrates groups of women whose collective skill, discipline, and problem-solving have elevated production efficiency, improved quality, strengthened inter-department coordination, and set new benchmarks in factory performance.

The Jury will look for teams that play a critical role in the day-to-day functioning of the plant — teams whose absence would noticeably disrupt workflow, quality, or output.

Entries should highlight measurable improvements, innovation in processes, collaboration across departments, and the organisation’s commitment to enabling women to thrive in technical and production environments.

Parameters and Weightage

• Operational Excellence and Efficiency Gains – 30%
  (Productivity, output, downtime reduction, quality improvement)
• Process Innovation and Problem-solving – 20%
  (New methods, lean practices, automation, continuous improvement)
• Team Collaboration and Leadership – 20%
  (Coordination, skill-sharing, ownership, women-led leadership)
• Measurable Business Impact – 20%
  (Cost savings, defect reduction, delivery improvements)
• Enablement of Women on the Shop Floor – 10%
  (Training, safety, inclusion in technical roles)

3. R&D Team of the Year

This award recognises women-led R&D teams that have demonstrated outstanding innovation, problem-solving, and technical advancement within the print and packaging ecosystem. It honours groups whose research, experimentation, and breakthrough ideas have elevated product quality, improved materials or processes, driven sustainability, or introduced new technologies to the industry.

The Jury will look for teams that have not only set high standards in research and development but have also pushed boundaries, influenced production outcomes, or shaped strategic decision-making within their organisations.

Entries should highlight measurable impact, originality, cross-functional collaboration, and the organisation’s commitment to empowering women in scientific, technical, and engineering roles.

Parameters and Weightage

• Innovation and Originality – 30%
  (New materials, processes, technologies, IP or first-to-market ideas)
• Technical Depth and Research Rigour – 20%
  (Testing, validation, experimentation, scientific approach)
• Business / Production Impact – 25%
  (Commercialisation, efficiency, sustainability, quality outcomes)
• Cross-functional Collaboration – 15%
  (Integration with production, marketing, supply chain)
• Leadership and Capability Building – 10%

4. Finance and Strategy Team of the Year

This award recognises extraordinary women-led finance teams that have demonstrated exemplary leadership in steering financial strategy, planning, and organisational growth within the print and packaging industry. It honours teams whose collective expertise in budgeting, forecasting, cost optimisation, financial modelling, and risk management has played a critical role in strengthening business performance and long-term viability.

The Jury will look for teams that have driven innovation in financial processes, enabled profitability, supported strategic decision-making, and created robust systems that enhance operational resilience.

Entries should highlight measurable financial impact, collaboration with cross-functional departments, and the organisation’s commitment to empowering women in finance, planning, and strategic roles.

Parameters and Weightage

• Strategic Financial Leadership – 30%
  (Planning, forecasting, scenario building, growth strategy)
• Measurable Financial Impact – 30%
  (Profitability, cost optimisation, cash flow improvement)
• Innovation in Financial Processes – 15%
  (Digitisation, systems, governance improvements)
• Cross-functional Business Enablement – 15%
  (Support to operations, sales, leadership)
• Leadership and Team Development – 10%

5. All Women Team of the Year

This category applauds the exceptional accomplishments of women in the printing and packaging fraternity, recognising collaborative brilliance and teamwork. From graphic design to production management, these women exemplify teamwork, innovation, and resilience.

The Award aims to inspire gender diversity and celebrates the transformative power of female leadership in an industry traditionally dominated by men.

Parameters and Weightage

• Collective Team Achievement – 30%
  (Results delivered as a team)
• Collaboration and Team Dynamics – 25%
  (Trust, coordination, problem-solving)
• Innovation and Resilience – 20%
  (Handling challenges, creative solutions)
• Business / Organisational Impact – 15%
• Inspiration and Role-modelling – 10%

6. Best Workplace of the Year

This award recognises organisations that have created safe, equitable, and empowering workplaces where women can thrive across all levels, from the shop floor to senior leadership. It celebrates companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to building inclusive cultures through robust safety infrastructure, flexible work policies, well-being and mental-health support, anti-harassment mechanisms, and transparent career pathways.

The Jury will look for workplaces that actively foster dignity, respect, and opportunity for women, and where representation, retention, and growth are visible outcomes of intentional organisational practices.

Entries should highlight measurable improvements, employee experiences, and long-term initiatives that contribute to a truly women-forward workplace.

Parameters and Weightage

• Workplace Policies and Infrastructure – 25%
  (Safety, flexibility, POSH, facilities)
• Employee Experience and Wellbeing – 25%
  (Retention, satisfaction, mental health initiatives)
• Women Representation and Career Growth – 20%
  (Hiring, promotions, leadership pipeline)
• Culture and Inclusion Practices – 20%
  (Respect, transparency, voice)
• Sustained Impact and Measurement – 10%

7. Safety and Wellbeing Excellence Award

This award recognises organisations that demonstrate commitment to ensuring the physical, emotional, and psychological safety of women in the print and packaging industry. It honours companies that have implemented robust systems, policies, and on-ground protocols that protect and empower women across all work environments, including offices, plants, and shop floors.

The Jury will look for comprehensive safety measures such as POSH implementation, grievance redressal mechanisms, night-shift policies, secure infrastructure, awareness training, and wellbeing initiatives that support mental health and work–life balance.

Entries should highlight measurable outcomes, visible cultural impact, and long-term efforts that create a workplace where women feel protected, respected, and empowered to perform at their best.

Parameters and Weightage

• Safety Frameworks and Compliance – 30%
  (POSH, grievance systems, night-shift protocols)
• On-ground Implementation – 25%
  (Infrastructure, training, awareness)
• Wellbeing and Mental Health Support – 20%
• Employee Trust and Cultural Impact – 15%
• Measurable Outcomes – 10%

8. DEI Innovation Award

This award recognises organisations that have demonstrated innovation in advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion within the print and packaging ecosystem. It honours companies that have introduced progressive policies, frameworks, tools, or technology-driven solutions that create measurable, meaningful, and sustainable institutional change.

The Jury will look for initiatives that go beyond compliance to reshape workplace culture — including equitable hiring practices, inclusive leadership models, bias-free evaluation systems, accessibility measures, and creative programmes that elevate underrepresented groups.

Entries should showcase scalable ideas, demonstrable impact, and the organisation’s long-term commitment to embedding DEI into everyday operations and decision-making.

Parameters and Weightage

• Innovation and Original Thinking – 30%
  (Beyond compliance, new approaches)
• Measurable DEI Impact – 25%
  (Hiring equity, pay parity, inclusion metrics)
• Scalability and Sustainability – 20%
• Leadership Commitment and Governance – 15%
• Cultural Transformation – 10%

9. Sales Excellence Award

This award honours outstanding women or women-led sales teams that have generated exceptional business growth and strengthened customer partnerships within the print and packaging industry.

The Jury will recognise entrants who have exceeded targets, demonstrated strong customer engagement, collaborated effectively across departments, and consistently delivered commercial impact.

Whether individual or team-led, entries should showcase measurable results, strategic sales initiatives, communication strength, and a clear contribution to the organisation’s overall performance.

Parameters and Weightage

• Revenue Growth and Target Achievement – 35%
• Strategic Sales Approach – 20%
• Client Relationship and Retention – 20%
• Cross-functional Collaboration – 15%
• Leadership / Personal Impact – 10%

10. Business Leader of the Year

This Award recognises any woman CEO/top management, who has excelled in providing demonstrated leadership that has been critical to the success of her organisation.

Open to all leaders, owners, entrepreneurs, founders, employed professionals, and self-employed women who promote excellence among CEOs and C-Level executives and high professional standards among peers.

The Jury will be looking for the CEO who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities combined with the ability to strategise and a determination to drive business.

Parameters and Weightage

• Vision and Strategic Leadership – 30%
• Business Performance and Growth – 30%
• Leadership Impact and Culture – 20%
• Industry Influence – 10%
• Values and Role-modelling – 10%

11. Rising Star of the Year

This Award recognises anyone who has demonstrated exemplary growth traits. We are looking for a new entrant to the organisation, a fresher, an intern, or a new employee, who, in the course of her short stint in the organisation, has showcased a rare aptitude for growth, not only in her department, but also for the organisation.

In this category, we seek to identify the youngster who is poised for future leadership.

Parameters and Weightage

• Speed of Growth and Learning – 30%
• Initiative and Ownership – 25%
• Impact on Team / Organisation – 25%
• Leadership Potential – 10%
• Attitude and Values – 10%

12. Designer of the Year

This award recognises an individual woman who has led outstanding design innovation in print, packaging, publishing, or premedia during the eligibility period. It honours a creator whose ideas, artistry, and technical execution have expanded the creative possibilities of the industry and demonstrated how design can elevate both function and visual communication.

The Jury will look for a designer who has initiated, developed, and delivered impactful work — whether through structural packaging design, print applications, book or editorial design, branding systems, prepress innovation, or multidisciplinary creative solutions.

Entries should showcase originality, craftsmanship, problem-solving, and the ability to influence broader creative excellence within the print and packaging ecosystem.

Parameters and Weightage

• Creativity and Originality – 30%
• Craftsmanship and Execution – 25%
• Problem-solving through Design – 20%
• Industry Impact and Recognition – 15%
• Range and Consistency of Work – 10%

13. Mentor of the Year

This Award recognises outstanding leadership and implementation of a mentorship programme and personal development.

This Award also recognises an individual who is innovative and driving change that demonstrating excellence with great leadership, communication and strategy planning to drive results and transformation.

The mentor/coach should have a minimum of one full year of mentoring/coaching one or more mentee(s); 8+ years of leadership/excellent track record of staff engagement/retention, and have acted as an inspiration to men/women.

Parameters and Weightage

• Mentorship Impact and Outcomes – 35%
• Commitment and Consistency – 20%
• Leadership and Inspiration – 20%
• Structured Approach to Mentoring – 15%
• Cultural Influence – 10%

14. Young Business Leader

This Award recognises women who have not only achieved growth for their businesses but also demonstrated strategic direction, leadership competencies during the eligibility period, through honed business acumen and strong industry networks.

Open to professionals who are at the age of 40 or under as of 31 December 2025.

The nominee should hold a managerial position.

Parameters and Weightage

• Business Growth Delivered – 30%
• Strategic Thinking – 25%
• Leadership Capability – 20%
• Industry and Network Influence – 15%
• Future Potential – 10%

15. Packaging Person of the Year

The winner is a person who has displayed excellent skill and vision in her chosen field within the packaging industry.

The Jury will be looking for someone with vision, who thinks outside of the box and has created a more innovative packaging industry in India.

The person should have a significant impact on the packaging industry, which needs to find new ways to reduce waste and increase recycling.

Parameters and Weightage

• Innovation and Vision – 30%
• Industry Impact – 25%
• Sustainability Contribution – 20%
• Leadership and Influence – 15%
• Longevity and Consistency – 10%

16. Publishing Person of the Year

The winner is a person who has displayed excellent skill and vision in her chosen field within the publishing industry.

The Jury will be looking for someone who has a vision about the printed book as an overwhelmingly popular format. Other than examples of creativity and expertise, the person will be awarded for the creation of beautiful books, which are a shining example of why the publishing sector continues to thrive.

Parameters and Weightage

• Creative and Editorial Excellence – 30%
• Contribution to Publishing Growth – 25%
• Innovation in Print / Books – 20%
• Industry Leadership – 15%
• Cultural Impact – 10%

17. HR Leader of the Year

This Award recognises an HR professional who has redefined people practices with empathy, innovation and impact. From talent acquisition to culture building, this individual has created meaningful experiences across the employee lifecycle — championing diversity, mental wellness, learning, and leadership.

The nominee should have demonstrated measurable outcomes in employee engagement, retention, or transformation.

Parameters and Weightage

• People Strategy and Innovation – 30%
• Measurable HR Outcomes – 30%
• Culture and Engagement Impact – 20%
• Leadership and Empathy – 10%
• DEI and Wellbeing Focus – 10%

18. Execution Excellence Award

This Award honours a professional who has been the invisible engine of excellence — ensuring stability, scalability, and seamless execution behind the scenes.

Whether it’s managing people, processes, or places — particularly in administration and operations. The nominee must have demonstrated a consistent track record of operational effectiveness, process optimisation, and proactive problem-solving.

Parameters and Weightage

• Operational Effectiveness – 35%
• Process Optimisation and Systems – 25%
• Reliability and Consistency – 20%
• Problem-solving and Proactiveness – 10%
• Behind-the-scenes Impact – 10%