Honoring Humanity. Celebrating Impact. Inspiring Change.

The National Humanitarian Excellence Awards (HEA) is one of India’s most distinguished recognition platforms dedicated to celebrating individuals, NGOs, institutions, and change-makers whose work has created meaningful and measurable social impact.

Now entering its prestigious 8th Edition, HEA stands as a symbol of excellence, compassion, leadership, and service to humanity. The award recognizes extraordinary efforts that uplift communities, empower individuals, address social challenges, and contribute towards building a stronger, more inclusive, and progressive nation.

HEA is more than an award ceremony—it is a national movement that honors those who choose service over recognition, impact over influence, and humanity over self-interest. Every year, remarkable stories from across India are brought to the forefront, inspiring future generations to create positive change in society.

The platform acknowledges outstanding contributions across diverse sectors including social welfare, healthcare, education, women empowerment, child welfare, community development, humanitarian service, environmental sustainability, public service, and social entrepreneurship.

Held annually on the occasion of India’s Independence Day, the National Humanitarian Excellence Awards celebrates the spirit of nation-building and recognizes individuals and organizations that embody the values of compassion, responsibility, integrity, and social transformation.

Conceptualized as a tribute to modern-day changemakers, HEA 2026 recognises grassroots leaders, social workers, educators, reformers, and NGOs who are building a better India through action—not just intention. The award aligns with the spirit of India’s 80th Independence Day (15th August 2026), paying homage to those who fight for the freedom of others—from poverty, injustice, discrimination, and neglect.

To preserve the highest standards, exclusivity, and national prestige of the award, HEA follows a highly competitive selection process.

For the year 2026, only One Outstanding Winner per State/UT will be selected in each of the following categories:

• Male Category

• Female Category

• NGO / Organisation Category

This unique “One State – One Winner” model ensures that every recognition represents exceptional achievement, credibility, and social contribution.

Each nomination undergoes a careful evaluation process based on impact, leadership, innovation, sustainability, reach, and contribution to society.

The Humanitarian Excellence Award 2026 is open to individuals and organizations across India who have made a significant impact through social work, community service, education, healthcare, environmental efforts, or any form of humanitarian contribution. Whether you are a dedicated social worker, educator, NGO, healthcare volunteer, or grassroots leader—if your work has positively touched lives and inspired change, you are eligible to be considered for this national recognition.

There is no fee for submitting your nomination for the National Humanitarian Excellence Awards 2026. Eligible individuals and organizations may apply and participate in the selection process without any nomination charge.

To confirm participation in the Award Presentation & Recognition Ceremony, selected awardees are required to contribute a Hospitality & Event Participation Fee.

Participation Fee Structure

 Individual Category Awardees
Fee – ₹11,000/-

 NGO / Organisation Category Awardees
Fee – ₹15,000/-

The participation fee becomes applicable only after official selection and invitation.

All eligible nominations for the Humanitarian Excellence Award are carefully assessed by the Management and Advisory Board Members of the I CAN Foundation. 

HEA 2026 follows a transparent and merit-based evaluation process.

Each nomination undergoes a detailed review based on:

• Social Impact & Contribution

• Leadership & Innovation

• Community Development

• Sustainability of Initiatives

• Professional Credibility

• Achievements & Recognition

• Overall Contribution Towards Humanity

To maintain the prestige of the award, only One Outstanding Winner from each State/UT is selected under the respective categories.

All nominations are reviewed by the HEA Selection Committee, and the final decision of the Jury shall be binding.

• Nomination Submission
  • Submission of a nomination for the National Humanitarian Excellence Awards (HEA) 2026 is free of charge.
  • Nominations submitted through the official website, online forms, WhatsApp, email, referral links, or authorised partner channels shall be deemed valid and officially accepted.
• Acceptance of Terms
  • Submission of a nomination shall constitute the nominee’s unconditional acceptance of all rules, eligibility requirements, selection procedures, participation policies, and terms & conditions governing HEA 2026.
• Eligibility & Verification
  • All information, achievements, claims, and supporting documents submitted by the nominee must be accurate, authentic, and verifiable.
  • The Organiser reserves the right to seek additional information, conduct verification checks, or reject any nomination found to contain misleading, false, incomplete, or unverifiable information.
• One State – One Winner Policy
  • To preserve the prestige, exclusivity, and credibility of the award, HEA 2026 shall follow the “One State – One Winner” selection model.
  • Only one recipient from each State/Union Territory shall be selected under each category and award title:
    • Male Category
    • Female Category
    • NGO / Organisation Category
  • The Organiser reserves the right not to confer an award in any category where suitable nominations are not identified.
• No Guarantee of Selection
  • Submission of a nomination shall not guarantee shortlisting, recognition, selection, or receipt of an award.
  • All nominations shall be evaluated strictly on merit, achievements, impact, leadership, contribution to society, and overall humanitarian excellence.
• Selection Process
  • All nominations shall undergo eligibility screening, profile assessment, impact evaluation, and final jury review.
  • The evaluation process shall be conducted by the HEA Selection Committee, Advisory Board Members, and/or designated jury members.
• Participation & Hospitality Fee
  • Only officially selected awardees shall be invited to participate in the Award Presentation Ceremony.
  • Upon selection, the following Participation & Hospitality Fee shall be applicable:
    • Individual Category: ₹11,000/-
    • NGO / Organisation Category: ₹15,000/-
  • The fee contributes towards event management, hospitality arrangements, award presentation, recognition materials, delegate services, branding, photography, media coverage, and associated event expenses.
• Refund Policy
  • The Participation & Hospitality Fee shall become non-refundable upon confirmation of participation by the selected awardee.
  • No refund shall be issued for non-attendance, voluntary withdrawal, travel-related issues, visa restrictions, scheduling conflicts, or any personal circumstances of the participant.
• Guest Attendance
  • The official invitation is valid solely for the selected awardee.
  • Additional guests may attend only through an approved Guest Pass, subject to availability and applicable charges.
  • Guest Pass terms and fees shall be communicated separately.
• Event Modification Rights
  • The Organiser reserves the right to modify, postpone, reschedule, relocate, or cancel the event, in whole or in part, without prior notice, in circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
  • In the event of rescheduling or venue modification, all confirmed participations shall remain valid for the revised event schedule.
• Travel & Accommodation
  • The Organiser shall not be responsible for any travel, accommodation, local transportation, or personal expenses incurred by nominees, awardees, or accompanying guests.
  • Participants are advised not to make non-refundable travel or accommodation arrangements until receipt of official confirmation from the Organiser.
• Media & Publicity Consent
  • By participating in HEA 2026, nominees and awardees grant the Organiser the right to use submitted information, photographs, videos, profiles, achievements, and event-related content for promotional, branding, media, editorial, documentation, and publicity purposes without additional compensation.
• Disqualification
  • The Organiser reserves the right to disqualify any nominee or awardee found to have provided inaccurate information, engaged in misconduct, or acted in a manner detrimental to the reputation, integrity, or objectives of the Awards.
• Final Decision
  • All decisions taken by the HEA Selection Committee, Jury Panel, Advisory Board Members, and the Organiser shall be final, binding, and not subject to challenge or appeal.
• Jurisdiction
  • Any dispute arising out of or in connection with HEA 2026 shall be subject exclusively to the jurisdiction of the competent courts at Jaipur, Rajasthan, India.