Shark Tank India is the Indian edition of the global business reality show in which founders pitch their companies to a panel of investors, the “sharks”, and ask for money in exchange for equity. Since its first season in 2021, it has become one of the most watched business shows in the country and a big reason many Indians now talk about valuations and equity at the dinner table.
Shark Tank India at a glance
- Format: founders pitch, sharks question them, then make offers or walk away
- Broadcaster: Sony Entertainment Television and the Sony LIV app
- Seasons so far: five, with Season 6 registrations held in 2026
- Season 5: January 5 to March 17, 2026, 52 episodes and a pool of 13 sharks, five of them new
Who are the sharks?
Each episode has five sharks drawn from a larger pool. Familiar faces include Aman Gupta (boAt), Anupam Mittal (Shaadi.com), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Vineeta Singh (Sugar Cosmetics), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Amit Jain (CarDekho) and Ritesh Agarwal (OYO). Season 5 also brought in new sharks such as Varun Alagh of Honasa Consumer, the company behind Mamaearth. Our Season 5 recap lists every shark and the biggest deals.
How a deal actually works
A handshake on TV is not the end. After the episode is shot, the sharks’ teams carry out due diligence: checking accounts, legal papers and claims made on stage. Some deals change, and some fall through. Founders often say the bigger prize is the publicity: website traffic and sales usually jump the night an episode airs.
How to apply for Shark Tank India
- Registrations are announced by Sony on its channels and the Sony LIV app, usually months before a season.
- Founders fill an online form with business details, revenue and the ask.
- Shortlisted founders go through auditions and interviews before the shoot.
For Season 6, registrations were open until July 31, 2026, according to listings at the time.
Quick answers
Who are the judges of Shark Tank India? A rotating pool including Aman Gupta, Anupam Mittal, Namita Thapar, Vineeta Singh, Peyush Bansal, Amit Jain and Ritesh Agarwal, plus newer sharks.
Where can I watch Shark Tank India? On Sony Entertainment Television and Sony LIV.
Do all Shark Tank India deals close? No. Deals are subject to due diligence after the show, and some change or do not go through.
Questions to think about
- Does Shark Tank India help small founders more through money or through publicity?
- Should the show disclose which on-air deals actually closed?
Sources: Sony; Shark Tank India Season 5 details as reported in our recap; registration listings for Season 6.
