The Young Lions India competition is in three categories- Print, Marketing and Digital
The Young Lions competition is a dedicated platform for professionals under 30 to showcase their talent
Pitch Feature
The Times of India (TOI) has served as the official country representative of the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in India for more than twenty years. In this role, TOI has remained closely connected with India’s creative, marketing and media community while linking it to the global stage of creativity. Over the years, it has created opportunities for young professionals nationwide through the India leg of the Young Lions Competition — a respected platform that enables emerging talent in creative, marketing and media fields to compete and gain exposure at the international level. TOI has consistently focused on nurturing young talent and providing meaningful industry visibility.
This year, the India leg of the Young Lions Competition returns in an expanded format, continuing its mission to help Indian professionals stand out globally.
The Young Lions Competition is designed for professionals under the age of 30 to showcase their abilities. Participants can submit entries in three categories — Print, Marketing, and Digital — based on the given briefs. A distinguished industry jury will review the submissions and choose winners who will go on to represent India at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, taking place from June 22 to 26, 2026. The competition offers young Indian talent a unique platform to demonstrate creativity, strategic thinking and consumer insight on both national and international stages.
The reintroduction of the Marketing category this year expands the scope for participants to turn their ideas into impactful work. As the marketing and advertising ecosystem continues to evolve, the Print, Marketing and Digital categories highlight the importance of storytelling in driving brand influence.
With entries opening on February 9, 2026, the competition aims to motivate the next generation of creative leaders to push limits, trust their instincts and produce work that reflects their unique viewpoints.
The final date for submissions is February 24, 2026.
