India HR Conclave 2026 Champions The Human Edge, Celebrating People, Igniting Purpose, and Shaping the Future of Work
May 29, Mumbai: The India HR Conclave 2026, themed The Human Edge, was held recently at The LaLiT, Mumbai, drawing over 650+ CXOs, founders, and HR leaders for a full-day immersive experience. The Conclave served as a powerful platform for honest conversations about the evolving employer-employee relationship, financial wellbeing, the role of AI in the workplace, and the enduring importance of human connection in organisations.
The day unfolded across a rich agenda, beginning with a keynote by Mr. Prabir Jha, HR Veteran and Former CHRO, and Ex-Member of the HR Advisory Board at the Reserve Bank of India, followed by three high-calibre panel discussions, a fireside chat, a book publishing moment, and a Sound Healing Experience by Hormazd Siganporia, Wellness & Human Performance Expert. The event concluded with the much-anticipated Awards & Recognition ceremony.
The awards ceremony honoured individuals and organisations that have set new benchmarks in people strategy, innovation, and leadership. SBI Pension Funds and Edelweiss Asset Management Limited were recognised with the Best Integrated Workplace Culture Award for building vibrant, inclusive, and high-performing cultures where employees are deeply engaged and aligned with organisational mission. Mahindra Finance received the Financial Empowerment Culture Award for institutionalising comprehensive financial wellbeing ecosystems that go beyond compensation to actively safeguard employees’ long-term economic security. The People-First Culture Award was presented to Hettich India Pvt. Ltd. and Parle Products Pvt. Ltd. for demonstrating exceptional employee relations, transparent policies, and genuine leadership commitment to building high-trust workplaces.
Honouring the leaders, Ms. Ruhie Pande, Group CHRO & CMO, Serentica/Sterlite Electric, was felicitated with the Woman HR Leader of the Year Award for breaking barriers and creating lasting impact on the broader HR community. Mr. Amit Chincholikar, Group President- HR, Hinduja Group, received the Visionary HR Leader Award for his bold, forward-thinking vision in redefining HR’s strategic role. The Learning and Development Leader of the Year Award was presented to Mr. Mukesh Kataria, Director of Learning and Development, KPMG India, for building outstanding L&D strategies that strengthen leadership pipelines and organisational performance.
One of the esteemed voices present at the India HR Conclave, S. Ramann, Chairman, PFRDA, addressing the gathering at the fireside chat, said, “Moving away from the old pension scheme was essential to ensure the country’s long-term fiscal stability. The vision behind pension reforms was always to create universal pension coverage, extending beyond salaried individuals to include every Indian, from vegetable vendors and fishermen to daily wage earners. Pension and retirement planning must also be communicated differently. It is not merely a financial product, but a lifelong discipline. The message has to be simple: save money today so you can live well tomorrow, and grow rich before you grow old.”
Jeet Marwadi, Founder & MD, 1 Finance, said, “As India’s economy grows, organisations are rightly focused on output and performance. But HR leaders need to recognise that productivity is inseparable from peace of mind. Over 66% of employees report financial stress during work hours, and that number should give every HR leader a pause.The workplace must evolve into a space where employees don’t just perform, but truly thrive, and ensuring financial wellbeing is a step in that direction. The India HR Conclave 2026 is our commitment to ensuring this conversation finds its rightful place in every boardroom and every HR strategy in the country.”
Preeti Jha, Head of Strategic Alliances & India HR Community at 1 Finance, added, “What started as a few conversations with HR leaders has grown into a community of over 5,000 of India’s most senior HR leaders and founders. And the reason it’s grown is because there was nowhere else for these conversations to happen without someone trying to sell something. We fund this entire event ourselves. No sponsors, no partner stalls. Because the moment you commercialise this space, you lose the honesty. And that honesty is what makes this community work.”
Conclusion:
The India HR Conclave concluded with thought-provoking discussions, ground-breaking insights, and honouring the pioneers shaping the future of work. It was a true celebration of people, leadership, and innovation. The conclave also featured a dedicated kiosk by PlanMyTax.ai, showcasing the newly launched platform and engaging attendees in conversations around smarter tax planning solutions. Additionally, 1 Finance presented a special book publication stall as part of its educational initiative focused on spreading financial awareness and literacy. The stall displayed six published titles, including Fintegrity, Money and Her, Ring of FIRE, Mutual Funds Playbook, Insurance Made Simple, and Emotional Money, giving attendees an opportunity to explore practical insights on personal finance and financial well-being.