Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards 2026: Bhupinder Singh Bhalla, the bureaucrat who powered India's green shift joins the jury panel

Having a carrer span of over three-decades in public policy, infrastructure, and trade, Bhupinder Bhalla served for different administrative roles and sections of society. As a retired 1990-batch IAS officer (AGMUT cadre), his administrative footprint covers Delhi, Goa, Chandigarh, and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. But his recent role as Secretary at the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has put him directly at the centre of India’s massive clean-energy transitionNow, he’s stepping in as a jury member for the Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards 2026, bringing a critical layer of sustained institutional experience to the panel. His presence in the panel also adds to the credibility of the prestigious Times Internet Ecopreneur Award, India’s first and only platform celebrating businesses that dare to put the planet first. This platform recognises individuals and companies working to scale a startup not just with the motives of profit but by taking into account their responsibilities towards the planet. Those who are taking significant steps towards creating a sustainable tomorrow.Before he was driving national renewable energy goals, Bhalla’s career was deeply rooted in commerce and finance. He handled major roles like Joint and Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, India, and CEO of the India Brand Equity Foundation.However, his time at MNRE is what really defined his sustainability legacy. He was at the helm during some of India’s most aggressive clean-energy pushes like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, the PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana. He wasn't just talking about green energy in abstract terms; he was figuring out how to actually build the systems, secure the financing, and write the regulations to move these policies from paper to reality. Even after retiring from the government services, he kept on working in this sector through different positions. He took on the role of Technical Member at the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), and is currently serving as Chair, Governance Board of GH2 India. Building on last year's momentum, the platform is casting an even wider net this time around. It’s no longer just about honoring corporate giants; the awards have expanded to celebrate individual changemakers who are out there on the ground pushing for conservation. The core mission remains the same: to shine a light on the visionaries who don't treat eco-responsibility as a PR afterthought, but weave it directly into the heart of their work.The organizers are also making one thing very clear; fluff won't cut it. The judging process leans heavily on real, verifiable data. Entries need to prove actual, real-world impact, whether that’s through successfully slashing carbon emissions, saving natural resources, championing clean energy, or designing zero-waste business models. Ultimately, it’s all about sparking a chain reaction that inspires legacy companies and young entrepreneurs alike to ditch outdated business playbooks and adopt a cleaner, smarter way to grow.To nominate yourself for the Times Internet Ecopreneur Awards, Click Here