Shark Tank India Season 5 Judges
Shark Tank India Season 5 has its biggest panel so far, with 14–15 sharks appearing across episodes instead of a small fixed bench. The season premiered on 5 January 2026 on Sony Entertainment Television at 10 PM, with simultaneous streaming on SonyLIV.
The core faces remain familiar: Aman Gupta (boAt), Namita Thapar (Emcure Pharmaceuticals), Peyush Bansal (Lenskart), Vineeta Singh (SUGAR Cosmetics), Anupam Mittal (Shaadi.com), Ritesh Agarwal (OYO), Amit Jain (CarDekho), Kunal Bahl (Snapdeal/Titan Capital) and Viraj Bahl (Veeba).
Along with them, Season 5 brings new-age founders like Mohit Yadav (Minimalist), Varun Alagh (Mamaearth), Kanika Tekriwal (JetSetGo), Shaily Mehrotra (Fixderma) and Hardik Kothiya (Rayzon Solar) to the tank.
Many pitches now get a mix of D2C, tech, healthcare, energy and aviation perspectives at the same table, which makes feedback feel more grounded in real-world execution rather than just theory.
In recent episodes, some founders have even mentioned that the cross-questioning between these sharks felt tougher than the actual pitch.
Who Are the New Sharks in Shark Tank India Season 5?
The new sharks in Shark Tank India Season 5 include Mohit Yadav, Varun Alagh, Kanika Tekriwal, Shaily Mehrotra and Hardik Kothiya.
Mohit Yadav comes from Minimalist, a skincare brand that recently drew attention after its acquisition by Hindustan Unilever, so he tends to probe unit economics and brand positioning quite sharply.
Varun Alagh, co-founder of Honasa Consumer (Mamaearth), brings experience in scaling a digital-first FMCG brand into a listed company, often pushing founders to think beyond “just Instagram buzz.”
Kanika Tekriwal (JetSetGo) represents private aviation and frequently stresses reliability and safety in operations, while Hardik Kothiya (Rayzon Solar) brings a renewable energy lens that pushes climate-friendly solutions to the front.
Shaily Mehrotra (Fixderma) adds a dermatology-backed skincare angle, often asking about clinical backing and regulatory approvals in beauty and health pitches.
In a recent episode, a young skincare startup walked out saying the detailed grilling from Mohit and Shaily felt like a free consultancy session more than just TV drama.
Shark Tank India Season 5: What’s Different This Time?
Season 5 is different mainly because of its expanded panel, fresher sectors and slightly sharper questioning compared to earlier years.
Episodes now usually feature a rotating mix of five sharks from the larger pool, which keeps the energy unpredictable and helps different kinds of startups find the “right” investor on the couch.
The show also leans more into tech-enabled ideas, climate solutions and AI-led tools, with recent pitches ranging from stock research platforms to Gen AI creative studios and renewable innovations.
There is also more focus on real numbers: revenue, margins, customer acquisition cost, rather than only “feel good” founder stories.
A few founders have already been called out on vanity metrics and unrealistic valuations on Season 5 episodes released up to 22 January 2026. For viewers, this makes the tank feel closer to an actual investor meeting and less like a scripted motivational show.
How to Apply for Shark Tank India Season 5 as an Entrepreneur?
To apply for Shark Tank India Season 5, entrepreneurs need to register online through the official SonyLIV Shark Tank India page and complete the application form within the announced window. The usual process is:
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Visit the SonyLIV app or website and click on the Shark Tank India Season 5 registration banner.
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Sign up or log in, fill in personal details and business information (stage, revenue, funding, industry).
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Answer questions on the problem, solution, traction, and investment ask, and upload a short pitch video plus basic documents like registration proof and financials (if available).
All communication happens through official SonyLIV or Sony TV channels, and there is no fee to apply. Shortlisted founders are then called for auditions and, if selected, studio shoots, usually scheduled in late 2025 for the episodes currently airing in early 2026.
For entrepreneurs, a clear, honest pitch with simple language and realistic numbers tends to stand out more than flashy jargon on this season’s tank.
Disclaimer: The Information about Shark Tank India Season 5 judges, format and application process is based on publicly available sources and recent media reports as of 23 January 2026, 8:26 PM PST. Viewers and entrepreneurs should always cross-check details like eligibility, timelines and processes on the official SonyLIV or Sony channels before taking any decision.
