Bombay Chamber Inclusion Awards 2026

Founded in 1836, the Bombay Chamber of Commerce & Industry is India’s oldest Chamber of commerce, representing over 3,000 members across MSMEs and leading corporations. For nearly two centuries, it has shaped India’s economic and business landscape through collaboration, advocacy, and thought leadership.

Today, the Chamber’s role extends beyond trade and policy. Guided by the philosophy of “Corporate as a Citizen,” it champions ethical governance, social responsibility, and sustainable growth. Its initiatives span skills development, arts and culture, and the promotion of balanced, inclusive industrial progress.

In today’s rapidly evolving world, the Chamber is proud to stand at the forefront of initiatives that celebrate diversity, promote equity, and foster inclusion. As workplaces grow more dynamic, the need to ensure every individual feels valued, empowered, and celebrated has never been more critical. This belief forms the cornerstone of the Bombay Chamber Inclusion Awards.

 Evolving towards “Belonging & Expression”

Over the years, organisations have made meaningful progress in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion through policies, programs, and measurable commitments. As these efforts mature, many organisations are now reflecting on how inclusion is experienced on the ground—beyond metrics, dashboards and frameworks—and how it translates into everyday behaviors, decision-making, and employee experience.

This reflection is timely and necessary. Leaders increasingly recognise that inclusion is sustained not just through representation or compliance, but through a lived sense of belonging and the freedom to express ideas, perspectives, and identities at work. At the same time, evolving workforce expectations—particularly among younger talent—are making belonging, psychological safety, and values alignment central to employer choice and retention.

What leading organisations are realising is that the next chapter is not about doing more—but about doing it differently. The focus is shifting from representation alone to Belonging and Expression— creating environments where people feel safe to show up as themselves, speak up, and add value instead of just fitting in.

The evidence is compelling. Large-scale studies show that a strong sense of belonging is linked to 56% higher job performance, 50% lower turnover risk, and 75% fewer sick days. Psychological safety—the freedom to express ideas, concerns, and differences without fear—has emerged as the single strongest predictor of high-performing teams.

Belonging and Expression are no longer “soft” ideas. They are strategic enablers of performance, resilience, and sustainable growth—and the true evolution of inclusion at work.

Why These Awards Matter

Belonging and Expression shifts the focus from simply allowing voices to actively enabling them— from the freedom to speak, to the safety and platforms needed to be truly heard. The Bombay Chamber believes that by coming together—business leaders, employees, and communities—we can create workplaces that truly mirror the spirit of Inclusion.

The Bombay Chamber Inclusion Awards 2026 celebrates a shared vision of workplaces that lead with purpose and inspire through action, setting a new standard for what it means to work, grow, and thrive together. Aimed at fostering awareness, action, and policy around Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, these Awards have gained immense recognition over the past two editions. With nominations from esteemed organisations such as Zomato, Deutsche Bank, Amazon, Capgemini, Standard Chartered Bank, Shell, Godrej Properties, Reliance Jio, and others, the Awards continue to spotlight exemplary efforts in creating inclusive environments. Together, let us champion this mission and pave the way for a more equitable and harmonious future.