The Times of India (TOI) has been the official country representative of Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity in India for over two decades. As the country representative, TOI has been at the centre of the Indian Creative, Marketing and Media fraternity and the ultimate global stage of creativity. During this time, TOI has been providing opportunities to young talent across the nation through the India leg of its Young Lions Competition, a prestigious platform for aspiring Creative, Marketing and Media professionals to attend and compete at this global stage. It has consistently believed in nurturing young talent and offering them valuable exposure.
The India leg of the Young Lions Competition returns this year in a bigger format to continue its mission of enabling Indian professionals to shine on the global stage.
The Young Lions competition serves as a dedicated platform for professionals aged under 30 to exhibit their talents. This year, participants can submit their entries across three categories: Print, Marketing, and Digital, working on the provided briefs. An esteemed panel of jury members from the industry will evaluate these entries and select winners who will represent India on the global stage at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, scheduled to take place from 22nd to 26th June 2026.
This competition offers young talent in India an unparalleled opportunity to showcase their creativity, strategic thought and consumer understanding, both nationally and internationally.
This year, the reintroduction of the Marketing category offers participants greater scope and opportunities to bring their ideas to life. As the marketing and advertising landscape continues to evolve, these categories of Print, Marketing and Digital recognise the essential role of storytelling in shaping brand impact.
With entries opening on 9th February 2026, the competition aims to inspire and empower the next generation of creative leaders to push boundaries, trust their instincts, and produce work that reflects their distinct perspectives.
The deadline for entries is February 24th, 2026.
For briefs and other details, visit www.timesyounglions.com
