About NEXT100
Now in its 17th edition, the NEXT100 is an awards program instituted by IT Next and the ET Edge – The Times Group which aims to identify experienced IT managers who have the skills, talent and spirit to become CIOs. The awards process invites aspirants to self-nominate themselves for consideration and qualify for the award.
All NEXT100 aspirants must apply for the award through the NEXT100 website by completing and submitting the official form.
Applicants will also need to fulfil other mandatory requirements like obtaining referee recommendations, completing psychometric tests and participating in jury interactions.
The final selection and nomination of the NEXT100 award recipients will be made by a prestigious committee of experienced CIOs and technology leaders who constitute the NEXT100 jury. The jury members interact with, and evaluate applicants on career accomplishments, professional expertise and knowledge, and the potential to be a CIO.
Why Apply?
By applying for the NEXT100 2026 awards (which is free of cost), you get the following benefits:
A free analysis of your personality traits and leadership styles by an international agency.
Evaluation of your AI-readiness as a future CIO Opportunities to interact with India’s leading CIOs and thought leaders.
Recognition in a commemorative book that is circulated among hundreds of top organizations in India, if selected to receive the NEXT100 award.
Networking opportunities with hundreds of other NEXT100 award winners
How to Apply?
To apply for the NEXT100 award, you need to register on this site.
There is NO application fee for registering or participating in the NEXT100 awards process. Registration will enable you to track the progress of your NEXT100 application.
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To start your NEXT100 application, click on the Apply Now link.
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You will be redirected to the Registration page. Fill in all the information, and press Submit.
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You are now registered on this site. You will receive an email with your registration details (login-id and password).
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To start your application, use your Login-ID and password (sent to your email inbox at the time of registration).
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Fill and submit the online form to provid- You will reach the “My NEXT100 Dashboard” page. Go to the “Application Form” link and click on it to start. e a summary of your professional experience and achievements.
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Provide as much detail as possible about yourself to help the jury arrive at a positive determination of your application.
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You can save a partially filled-in form and return to it at a later time.
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To resume your partially filled application, sign-in using your login id and password. You will reach the “My NEXT100 Dashboard” page.
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Click on the “Application Form” link to resume.
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Use the “My NEXT100 Dashboard” page to track the status of your application, take the psychometric tests, trigger the referee recommendation emails, and know the status of your interview schedule.
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Ensure that you submit your completed form and take the psychometric tests on or before the last date. Follow up with your supervisor and referees to get the recommendations for your application.
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Take the AI-readiness evaluation on the specified date.
NEXT100 Process
- Invitation of applications from candidates (applications open on Thursday, 26 March 2026).
- Submission of completed forms by candidates (applications close on Sunday, 10th May 2026).
- All applicants complete psychometric tests to assess personality traits and emotional intelligence test (final submission date is Sunday, 10th May 2026).
- Applicant recommendations obtained from work supervisors and designated referees (final submission date is Sunday, 10th May 2026).
- Eligible applicants take the AI-readiness evaluation on day, date.
- Select applicants will be shortlisted for interactions with the jury panel. (between 1-May-2026 and 15-June-2026).
- List of NEXT100 2026 award winners is prepared, reviewed and ratified by jury.
- Selected award winners are informed and invited to attend the awards ceremony to receive the trophy and citation. (on, or after Sunday, 5-July-2026).
- Profiles and photos of the award winners are compiled for the NEXT100 2026 commemorative book.
The NEXT100 2026 book is circulated to India’s top organizations
NEXT100 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NEXT100 2026 award, all applicants should meet the following criteria:
If selected as a NEXT100 award winner, permit NEXT100 and the ET Edge – Times Group to publish a commemorative book with photograph and professional details, and to promote the same on social media.
NOTE: Employees, officers, directors, agents, representatives, family members of ET Edge – Times Group its subsidiaries, affiliates, program partners, advertising and promotional agencies are not eligible to apply for and receive the NEXT100 awards.
Be a resident of India at the time of application.
Not be a past NEXT100 award winner.
Have a minimum of 10 (ten) years of full-time work experience.
Be currently employed full-time in a company or organization (cannot be self-employed, retired, or part-time employee).
Fill and submit the NEXT100 application form, including the declaration section.
Not submit multiple applications for the NEXT100 award.
Provide valid documentation (e.g. scans of education certificates) to support the personal information and work experience details, as and when requested by NEXT100 for verification.
Agree to allow NEXT100 and/or its duly authorized representatives, verify application data directly and independently at any stage of the program, including with referees and work supervisor(s).
Grant NEXT100 the right to authorize the downloading and printing of the application information and related communications, or any portion thereof, for evaluation purposes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there an application fee?
No, the NEXT100 application process is completely free of charge.
I applied last year but wasn't selected. Can I apply again?
Absolutely! Many past winners have applied multiple times before being selected.
What happens after I register?
You’ll receive access to your NEXT100 Dashboard where you can track the progress of your application, complete psychometric tests, and manage referee recommendations.
How will I know if I'm shortlisted?
All communication will be sent to the email address provided during registration. Make sure to check your inbox regularly.
What kind of questions will the jury ask?
The jury typically explores your career achievements, leadership experiences, technical expertise, and your managerial vision for the future of technology.
Terms & Conditions:
By registering on this site and/or submitting an application for the NEXT100 award, you agree that:
- NEXT100 Awards (and the associated process) are the initiative and sole property of TSSL – ET Edge, Times group.
- The NEXT100 program will run from the starting and ending dates as decided and intimated by NEXT100 and TSSL – ET Edge, Times group.
- NEXT100 reserves the right to modify, cancel, discontinue or terminate the NEXT100 program at any time, or to accept or reject any or all entries at its absolute discretion without giving any prior notice, and without assigning any reasons whatsoever.
- Decisions made by NEXT100 and TSSL – ET Edge, Times group regarding the NEXT100 Awards, eligibility conditions, administration and conduct of the program, rules & regulations, etc., will be final and binding on all applicants and program participants.
- All shortlisted applicants/participants for the NEXT100 will be intimated individually at the email address and/or contact number provided by them. NEXT100 reserves the right to terminate an applicant’s registration at any time in the event the information provided, including email address and contact number, is no longer current or accurate.
- Lobbying or canvassing for the NEXT100 award, in any form or fashion, at any time during the selection process will render the NEXT100 application for disqualification.
- NEXT100 and the TSSL – ET Edge, Times group may use the applicant’s name, organization and professional information in promotional ads, editorial material, website as and when necessary.
- NEXT100, in consultation with the jury panel, reserves the right to shortlist and filter applicants using any criteria it deems fit, without disclosing or making public the criteria or weighting schemes.
- NEXT100 will not reveal, at any stage, the ranking or relative placement of applicants, or their scores in the NEXT100 selection process.
- The content made available for the NEXT100 is the sole property of NEXT100 and that of its partners, and is protected by applicable copyrights, trademarks, service marks, patent or other proprietary rights and laws.
- While NEXT100 will make every reasonable effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information posted within the program website, NEXT100 assumes no responsibility for, and does not guarantee, the accuracy, currency, completeness or usefulness of information in any material about the program. It also does not endorse, oppose or edit any opinions, recommendations or predictions posted by the participants or other members, except that NEXT100 may remove or delete what appears to be potentially unlawful content or content otherwise prohibited under these Terms and Conditions.
- Any offers made under this program cannot be clubbed with any other offer/ promotion/ contest run by the TSSL – ET Edge, Times group and/or NEXT100, or its affiliate brands and subsidiaries.
- TSSL – ET Edge, Times group may, in their sole discretion, terminate or suspend your access to all or part of the NEXT100 program for any reason, including without limitation a breach of these Terms and Conditions (or any subsequent modifications hereof). By registering, you accept these Terms and Conditions.
