Shark Tank India is back with Season 5, which premiered on January 5, 2026, on Sony Entertainment Television and SonyLiv. The reality show offers a platform for startups to secure funding and gain national exposure. This season promises more intense pitches and ambitious goals, with a rigorous selection process for entrepreneurs.

Returning Sharks

Several familiar faces are back on the panel:

• Aman Gupta (co-founder of boAt)
• Namita Thapar (Executive Director of Emcure Pharmaceuticals)
• Peyush Bansal (co-founder and CEO of Lenskart)
• Vineeta Singh (CEO and co-founder of SUGAR Cosmetics)
• Anupam Mittal (founder and CEO of Shaadi.com and the People Group)
• Ritesh Agarwal (founder and CEO of OYO Rooms)
• Amit Jain (CEO and co-founder of CarDekho Group)
• Kunal Bahl (co-founder of Snapdeal and Titan Capital)
• Viraj Bahl (Veeba)

These returning sharks bring years of experience and understanding of what works and what doesn't in the startup world.

New Sharks

Season 5 introduces four new judges, bringing fresh perspectives from diverse industries:

• Mohit Yadav (co-founder of Minimalist)
• Shaily Mehrotra (CEO of Fixderma India)
• Hardik Kothiya (founder and Managing Director of Rayzon Solar)
• Kanika Tekriwal (founder of JetSetGo Aviation)

These new sharks add experience from skincare, renewable energy, and aviation.

What the Sharks Bring to the Tank

• Aman Gupta: Known for his marketing skills and understanding of branding, particularly among younger consumers. His estimated net worth is around Rs 720 crore.
• Namita Thapar: With a net worth of approximately Rs 600 crore, she focuses on businesses related to healthcare, wellness, and education.
• Peyush Bansal: He is credited with transforming India's eyewear market. His estimated net worth is around Rs 600 crore.
• Vineeta Singh: Combines technical expertise with her experience in scaling SUGAR Cosmetics. Her net worth is estimated at approximately 300 crores.
• Anupam Mittal: One of the earliest internet entrepreneurs in India, known for his logical questions and sharp analysis. His net worth is about Rs 185 crore.
• Ritesh Agarwal: His journey as a young startup founder inspires many.
• Amit Jain: Brings his experience in building tech-driven platforms. He has an estimated net worth of around Rs 2,900 crore.
• Kunal Bahl: Provides guidance on numbers and consumer market statistics. His net worth is around Rs 900 crore.
• Varun Alagh: CEO and co-founder of Honasa Consumer Ltd (Mamaearth), brings expertise in building large-scale personal care brands. His net worth is estimated at Rs 5,900 crore.
• Shaily Mehrotra: CEO of Fixderma India, brings experience from the dermatology-focused healthcare and consumer products.
• Hardik Kothiya: Adds renewable energy and sustainability expertise. His net worth is approximately a whopping 3900 + crores.
• Kanika Tekriwal: Has played a key role in shaping India's private aviation market. Her net worth is estimated to be around Rs 420 crore.

Campus Special

This season also introduces a "Campus Special" segment, featuring Pratham Mittal (founder of Masters' Union and Tetr College of Business) as a judge. This segment will focus on student-led startups, supporting entrepreneurial talent from diverse backgrounds.

With a mix of seasoned and new investors, "Shark Tank India" Season 5 aims to support and showcase the country's burgeoning startup ecosystem. The show streams every day at 10 pm on Sony Entertainment Television and is also available on SonyLiv.