News18 Rising Bharat Summit Expands Its Footprint with Pan-India Regional Editions 

News18 Network, India’s largest news network, in partnership with HDFC Bank, India’s largest private sector bank, is set to host a series of regional editions in the run-up to the flagship Rising Bharat Summit 2027, beginning with the South edition in Bengaluru on July 24, 2026.

Anchored around the theme “Enterprise Nation,” the Rising Bharat Regional Summits will spotlight the spirit of enterprise driving Bharat’s transformation, from innovation and entrepreneurship to infrastructure, technology and other emerging engines of economic growth. Spanning four key regions, South, North, East, and West, the summits will showcase how each region, with its distinct strengths and aspirations, contributes to Bharat’s larger growth story.

Rising Bharat Summit is News18 Network’s flagship thought-leadership platform that brings together influential voices from politics, governance, business, technology, and culture to deliberate on Bharat’s growth, aspirations and evolving role on the global stage. Through conversations with leaders and changemakers, the summit celebrates the ideas, achievements, and ambitions that define a rising Bharat.

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The inaugural South edition in Bengaluru will bring together an influential line-up of leaders including ⁠ D. K. Shivakumar, Chief Minister, Karnataka; Dr. G. Parameshwara, Deputy Chief Minister, Karnataka; Priyank Kharge, Minister for Home Affairs, Electronics, IT & BT, and E-Governance, Karnataka; Krishna Byre Gowda, Minister for Bengaluru Development, Karnataka; Dr. M. B. Patil, Minister for Commerce & Industries and Infrastructure, Karnataka; Dr. K. G. Arunraj, Minister for Health, Medical Education and Family Welfare, Tamil Nadu; D. Sridhar Babu, Minister for IT, E&C, Industries & Commerce and Legislative Affairs, Telangana; T. G. Bharath, Minister for Industries, Commerce and Food Processing, Andhra Pradesh; T. Siddique, Minister for Agriculture, Kerala; Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson, Biocon Group; Dr. Devi Prasad Shetty, Chairman & Founder, Narayana Health; Dr. Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals; T. V. Mohandas Pai, Chairman, Aarin Capital Partners; Hari Marar, MD & CEO, Bangalore International Airport Ltd; Mallanna Sasalu, CEO, Puravankara Limited; Pawan Kumar Chandana, Co-founder & CEO, Skyroot; Tarun Mehta, Co-founder & CEO, Ather Energy; Ramesh Lakshminarayanan, Group Head of IT & CIO, HDFC Bank; Saina Nehwal, Padma Bhushan Awardee, Olympic Bronze Medalist & Fmr World No.1 Badminton Player; Sandhya Ramachandran Arun, Global CTO, Wipro; ⁠Swapna Bapat, MD & VP, India & SAARC, Palo Alto; Nikhil Mittal, CTO, Zepto; Kavikrut, CEO, T-Hub; Rakul Preet, actress and more.

Through a series of insightful conversations, the Bengaluru edition will spotlight the South’s role and contribution to Bharat’s growth journey, with discussions spanning various critical sectors. The summit will also highlight how collaboration between governments, businesses and emerging enterprises can unlock new opportunities and accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth.

Speaking about the launch of the regional editions, Shivakumar S, CEO - News 18 Studios said, “News18 Rising Bharat has grown into a powerful platform for conversations that reflect the ideas, enterprise and ambition shaping Bharat’s transformation. We are now moving one step closer to where change is actually unfolding: across our cities, industries and communities. The regional editions allow us to listen to different voices, uncover new stories and bring a richer, more nuanced perspective to the national stage. We are delighted to have HDFC Bank partner with us as we embark on this journey across the country.”

“We are proud to partner News18 Network as the Rising Bharat Summit expands into regional editions. MSMEs, entrepreneurs and digital‑first businesses are the backbone of India’s economic momentum, and this platform brings their achievements and aspirations closer to the national stage. At HDFC Bank, we remain committed to enabling this ecosystem through deeper engagement, financial solutions and digital capabilities that empower enterprises across every region to grow and thrive in a transforming Bharat,” said Ravi Santhanam, Chief Marketing Officer, HDFC Bank.

The four regional editions will culminate in the network’s flagship ‘Rising Bharat Summit 2027 '. Together, the regional and main editions will offer a compelling view of a nation in transformation: diverse in its strengths, driven by enterprise and united by the ambition to build a stronger future.