Three National Jewellery Awards 2026 Wins Put JD Institute Bengaluru Talent in Focus

Ms. Gunavanti and Ms. Hunar Jain won Student of the Year honours, while Ms. Mithra M. won Designer of the Year, as Ms. Rupali Sarkar, HOD, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, Nealesh Dalal, Founder & Managing Trustee, JD Institute of Fashion Technology and Founder, JD School of Design, and Yogesh Dalal, Trustee, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, reflected on the national recognition.

Three jewellery designs from JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, received honours at the National Jewellery Awards 2026, with recognition spanning the Student of the Year and Designer of the Year categories.
Ms. Gunavanti from the B.Sc. JD 2024 batch and Ms. Hunar Jain from the B.Sc. JD 2025 batch won in the Student of the Year category. Ms. Mithra M. was named a winner in the Designer of the Year category.
Mithra’s design was also shortlisted among the final five from more than 1,000 entries submitted across India. The winners were felicitated during the NJA’26 Award Ceremony at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai.

The National Jewellery Awards 2026, organised by the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council, marked its 15th edition. The awards cover emerging and established jewellery talent across categories including Student and Designer, with design concepts assessed around elements including aesthetics, uniqueness and wearability.
The three winning entries from JD Institute Bengaluru approached jewellery through different concepts.
Gunavanti’s entry explored Agni and translated the concept into jewellery design. Hunar Jain drew inspiration from the Shruva spoon used during the Vedic ritual of Agni Ahuti.

Hunar’s interpretation consisted of three connected elements. An arm cuff drew from the Shruva spoon, cascading chains represented the offering of ghee, and a bracelet represented rising flames.
Mithra M.’s Designer of the Year entry explored nature’s intelligence through a space age design approach. The work translated the underlying phenomenon into a wearable form using organic gold shapes and fine gradient paved details.
The three entries were developed under the guidance of Ms. Rupali Sarkar, HOD, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, who supported the designers through concept development, refinement and final execution.

Ms. Rupali Sarkar, HOD, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Bengaluru, said, “Participating in NJA 2026 gave our students the opportunity to present their work on a national industry platform. Seeing their concepts and efforts receive this recognition is a proud moment, and a testament to the work they put into developing their designs.”
Nealesh Dalal, Founder & Managing Trustee, JD Institute of Fashion Technology and Founder, JD School of Design, said, “Industry platforms such as the National Jewellery Awards allow emerging designers to take their work beyond the academic environment and engage with the larger design community. These recognitions reflect the creativity, research and craftsmanship that our students bring to their work. At JD Institute, we remain committed to providing the exposure and opportunities that help designers take their ideas forward.”

Yogesh Dalal, Trustee, JD Institute of Fashion Technology, said, “Recognition at a platform like the National Jewellery Awards is an important milestone for our students and alumni, as it places their work before the wider jewellery industry. Gunavanti, Hunar and Mithra have approached design from a different perspective, but what connects their work is the thought behind the concept and the effort to translate an idea into a considered jewellery form. At JD Institute, we encourage students to research, question and experiment, while creating an environment that enables them to push creative boundaries and translate their ideas into work that reflects their individual design vision.”
The three awards provide JD Institute Bengaluru’s students and alumni with industry recognition beyond an academic setting while bringing attention to the different research, cultural and conceptual references informing their jewellery designs.

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