Sunil Vachani, the Founder and Executive Chairman of Dixon Technologies, was honored as the 'Business Leader of the Year' at the NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 awards held in New Delhi on December 19. This prestigious award recognizes Vachani's pivotal role in driving India's electronics manufacturing revolution and his contribution to the country's growing global presence.
For over two decades, the NDTV Indian of the Year awards have been a credible platform recognizing individuals and institutions whose work has significantly shaped the idea of India. The 2025 edition, themed "Ideas. Inspiration. Impact," continued this legacy by bringing together leaders, achievers, and cultural voices across various fields.
Vachani's journey began in 1993 with a modest rented facility in Noida and borrowed capital. From its humble beginnings, Dixon Technologies has grown to become India's largest homegrown Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) company. The company produces for global giants and local innovators alike, manufacturing a wide array of products including smartphones, televisions, routers, set-top boxes, and telecom equipment.
Vachani's leadership has been instrumental in driving the localization of critical components, such as Printed Circuit Board Assemblies (PCBAs), which has significantly reduced India's reliance on imports for electronics manufacturing. This has not only enabled large-scale production but also helped bridge a strategic gap in the sector. Between 2021 and 2024, Dixon Technologies' mobile and telecom segment experienced exponential growth, with quarterly revenue jumping from ₹228 crore to nearly ₹1,000 crore by the end of the year.
Rahul Kanwal, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of NDTV, emphasized that the NDTV Indian of the Year awards recognize those who propel India forward through their ideas, conviction, and courage to lead. He added that the 2025 edition reflects the energy of a renewed NDTV and celebrates individuals and institutions shaping the possibilities of a new India.
The NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 event was attended by a distinguished gathering of influential voices from various sectors, including Chief Justice of India, Justice Surya Kant. Other notable attendees included Sridhar Vembu, Founder of Zoho; Jay Shah, Chairman of the International Cricket Council; and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla. The event also saw participation from prominent figures from cinema and popular culture, including Vicky Kaushal, Janhvi Kapoor, Aryan Khan, and Ahaan Panday. Indian sport was represented by ICC ODI World Cup-winning captain Harmanpreet Kaur, along with teammates Jemima Rodrigues and Deepti Sharma, as well as Amol Muzumdar, Head Coach of the Indian Women's Cricket Team.
In addition to Sunil Vachani, Janhvi Kapoor was named Actor of The Year (Female).
The NDTV Indian of the Year 2025 recognized excellence across 14 diverse categories, spanning business leadership, innovation, philanthropy, governance, sports, entertainment, culture, and science.
