Methodology: How they made it to the hall of fame

ET adopted a democratic, participative and rigorous process to choose the best and the brightest of India Inc. In an elaborate two-step exercise, the selection process began with number crunching done by the ET Intelligence Group (ETIG). In some categories, parameters were set by ETIG to shortlist the candidates.

For example, for the Company of the Year award, companies with an average market capitalisation of over Rs 11,000 crore and revenues of over Rs 3,000 crore were considered. They were ranked on the parameters of net sales, net profit, market cap and RoE, share price return over a one-year period and CAGR in revenue and net profit over a three-year period.

Companies incorporated post 1995 and having a market capitalisation of more than Rs 1,000 crore, were considered for the Emerging Company of the Year award. Criteria used for Business Leader and Entrepreneur of the Year included the creation of successful and enduring brands, leadership and vision, and a transformational approach to business and industry that has left a lasting mark.

The new category of Startup of the Year looks for an enterprise with potential to establish itself as an innovative and financially successful company. For Global Indian, the jury looked for an Indian who has excelled against competition in a global environment, and for the Corporate Citizen Award, companies with turnover exceeding Rs 500 crore that have done well or have made significant progress on social, environmental and governance challenges were considered.

The Business Reformer category seeks to honour a public servant or politician dedicated to the cause of promoting business and trade, while Lifetime Achievement honours a personality who has transformed the face of their industry, and put India on the international map in their own way.