As India moves toward becoming the world’s third-largest consumer market by 2027, the rules of brand leadership are rapidly evolving. In today’s hyper-connected marketplace, perception has become one of the most powerful drivers of brand performance, shaping how consumers discover, evaluate, and ultimately choose the brands they trust.
According to the Edelman Trust Barometer 2024, nearly 81% of purchase decisions in India are influenced by perception, while digital platforms now impact close to 90% of urban consumer purchase journeys. Research from Kantar BrandZ further highlights that brands strong in meaning, difference, and salience deliver three times stronger brand power and greater pricing advantage, reinforcing the growing importance of trust-led brand building.
Against this backdrop, Team Marksmen Network will host the 6th Annual Edition of Most Trusted Brands of India 2026 on 13 March 2026 at Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai. The platform will bring together senior brand leaders, marketing strategists, and industry thinkers to explore how organisations can build credibility, shape perception, and sustain consumer trust in an increasingly dynamic environment.
The evening will open with a Power Keynote by Dr. Tapan Singhel, MD & CEO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, who will speak on “The Perception Advantage: Turning Meaning Into Market Leadership,” offering insights on how brands can translate emotional connection, cultural relevance, and consumer understanding into competitive advantage.
The event will also feature a panel discussion titled “Reputation, Relevance & Reinvention – The New Rules of Consumer Perception,” bringing together leading marketing leaders including Kapil Grover, CMO, Restaurant Brands Asia; Abhishek Kumar Srivastava, Vice President Marketing (CMO), Piramal Consumer Health; Deepak Oram, SVP – Growth Marketing & Martech, HDFC Bank; and Gaurangi Desai Mehra, Director – Marketing & Communications, APAR Industries. The discussion will be moderated by Amiya Swarup, Partner – Marketing Consulting, EY, and will explore how brands can navigate culture, community influence, and rising consumer expectations while maintaining authenticity.
A special address will be delivered by Shri Kripashankar Singh, Former Minister of State for Home Affairs, Maharashtra and Vice President of BJP, who will share perspectives on leadership, trust, and the evolving relationship between organisations and society.
A key highlight of the evening will be the felicitation of organisations recognised as the Most Trusted Brands of India 2026, celebrating companies that have demonstrated sustained commitment to credibility, consumer trust, and responsible brand leadership.
The platform is supported by Business Standard as the Media Partner and India Today as the Telecast Partner, ensuring strong national visibility and industry reach.
As consumer expectations continue to evolve and trust becomes the defining currency of brand success, Most Trusted Brands of India 2026 aims to bring together leaders who are shaping perception with clarity, credibility, and purpose, reinforcing trust as the ultimate measure of brand excellence in India’s rapidly expanding consumer economy.
