Shark Tank India Season 5 Returns with New Judges and Campus Special: Release Date and Viewing Details
Shark Tank India, the hugely popular business reality show, is all set to return with its fifth season early next year. Known for giving Indian entrepreneurs a platform to pitch ideas to heavyweight investors, the show promises more drama, fresh business ideas and a bigger stage for founders this time.
When and Where to Watch
Fans can mark their calendars: Shark Tank India Season 5 will premiere on 5 January 2026. It will air on Sony Entertainment Television and stream online on SonyLIV, making it easy for viewers to tune in from anywhere.
This season continues the tradition of showcasing real pitches from Indian startups. Entrepreneurs will compete for funding and guidance from a panel of seasoned investors, also known as “sharks”.
Fresh Faces and Returning Sharks
This year’s panel blends seasoned investors with new industry leaders. The mix aims to bring fresh perspectives to the table while keeping the core appeal of the show intact.
Returning sharks include:
- Aman Gupta – Co-founder of boAt
- Anupam Mittal – Founder of Shaadi.com
- Namita Thapar – Director at Emcure Pharmaceuticals
- Vineeta Singh – Co-founder of Sugar Cosmetics
- Kunal Bahl – Co-founder of Snapdeal
- Peyush Bansal – Co-founder of Lenskart
- Amit Jain – CEO & CoFounder, CarDekho Group
- Viraj Bahl – Founder & Managing Director of Veeba Foods
- Ritesh Agarwal – Founder & Group CEO of PRISM
New judges joining the panel are:
- Varun Alagh – CEO & Co-founder of Honasa Consumer Ltd
- Mohit Yadav – Co-founder of Minimalist
- Shaily Mehrotra – CEO of Fixderma India
- Hardik Kothiya – Founder of Rayzon Solar
- Kanika Tekriwal – Founder of JetSetGo Aviation
- Pratham Mittal – Founder of Masters’ Union & Tetr College of Business
This diverse line-up combines investors from sectors like consumer brands, sustainable energy, skincare, aviation and business education. Their varied experiences will shape how they mentor and support new ventures.

What’s New This Season
Season 5 comes with some exciting additions and slight shifts to the format:
- Tagline: “Yeh Season Hai Time Se Aage” suggests the show will push boundaries and spotlight unconventional ideas.
- Campus Special Segment: For the first time, there will be a dedicated section that focuses on student-led startups and early-stage ideas from universities. This signals a stronger push toward supporting younger founders.
- Promotional Buzz: Early promos tease a satirical take on work culture and entrepreneurship, capturing viewers’ attention even before the season begins.
Why It Matters
Since its launch in 2021, Shark Tank India has become more than just a TV show. It has helped hundreds of startups gain visibility, funding and mentorship, boosting India’s startup ecosystem and inspiring aspiring founders. With Season 5’s new judges and features, audiences can expect fresh ideas, stronger support for student innovators and more intense business moments.
If you’re interested in entrepreneurship or great business stories, this new season is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious yet. Stay tuned from 5 January 2026.
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