Festival Dates: 19th to 25th March 2026 | Kamani Auditorium & Shri Ram Centre, New Delhi

New Delhi: The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META), instituted by the Mahindra Group, produced by Teamwork Arts and India’s most definitive awards for recognizing theatrical excellence, turns twenty-one in 2026. The META Secretariat is ready to receive plays for entries at the next edition of META, scheduled to be held from 19th to 25th March 2026 in New Delhi. Submissions will be accepted between 1st August 2025 and 15th January 2026. META 2026 will return to the iconic Kamani Auditorium and Shri Ram Centre, long-time venues that have hosted some of its most memorable performances.

Over the past two decades, META has brought together a wide range of productions — from solo acts to large ensemble performances — across languages, forms, and themes. Each year, ten productions are selected from hundreds of entries to be staged live in Delhi. These are then evaluated by a national jury, with the festival culminating in an Awards Night that honours excellence across 14 award categories and a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Submission Details:

  • Deadline: 15th January 2026
  • Eligibility Criteria: Plays performed in India between 1st January 2021 to 15th January 2026 are eligible. For more information, visit: https://metawards.com/application-2026
  • Categories include:
    Best Production, Best Director, Best Stage Design, Best Light Design, Best Sound Design, Best Music Design, Best Costume Design, Best Choreography, Best Actor in a Lead Role (Male), Best Actor in a Lead Role (Female), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female), Best Original Script, and Best Ensemble.
  • How to Apply: Visit the official META website for full guidelines and the submission form. To access the application with the link below: https://metawards.com/registration#/addApplications

The Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) is India’s most prestigious recognition in stagecraft, honouring excellence in every aspect of theatre. Established by the Mahindra Group, META annually selects 10 plays from over 400 entries nationwide to be staged in Delhi, competing across 14 award categories, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. Over two decades, META has showcased diverse voices and themes in multiple languages, celebrating artists from across India. By recognising playwrights, directors, designers, and performers, META serves as the country’s only national platform dedicated to rewarding the finest in Indian theatre. Learn more at https://metawards.com.