Indian agencies have secured eight shortlists at Cannes Lions 2026, following the release of shortlisted entries across seven categories. This follows an earlier setback for the Indian contingent, which failed to register any shortlists in the Titanium, Glass, and Innovation categories.
Ogilvy India tops the tally with two shortlists. Leo India, McCann India, VML India, Humour Me, P&G, Brand David, and The Refinery each picked up one, with Brand David and The Refinery sharing a joint credit on a single entry.
In Audio & Radio Lions, Leo India earned a shortlist for Sting with “The Unofficial Official Sound of F1.” The Creative B2B and Outdoor categories returned no Indian shortlists this year.
In Creative Brand Lions, P&G’s Whisper made the list for “From a Sanitary Pad to Basic Right.” Health & Wellness Lions proved to be India’s strongest category, with four shortlists: The Refinery and Brand David for Colgate’s “Indianis Dentris,” McCann India for Johnson’s Baby with “Project Golden Minute,” and Ogilvy India picking up two separate shortlists, “Renu vs the City” for St. Jude India Childcare Centres and “Ek Tara Project” for Titan Eye+.
In Pharma Lions, Humour Me earned a shortlist for Tata 1mg with “Sawaal Uthao.” VML India rounded out the list in Print & Publishing Lions, shortlisted for Kalapuri’s “The Kolhapuri.”
With the shortlists now out, attention turns to the winners announcement, where Indian agencies will look to convert this year’s nominations into actual Lions across a tightly contested set of categories.
