GENCF POTY 2026
Important Dates
Submission Starts: 3rd March 2026
Final Deadline: 31st July, 2026
First Round of Anonymous Scoring & Judging: 9th August, 2026.
Compilation of Scores: 14th August, 2026
Submission of RAW & TIFF Files from: 15th August to 30th August, 2026
Second Round of Anonymous Scoring & Judging: 30th August, 2026
Final Judging by the Judges: 30th August, 2026 and intimation to all the participants along with Exhibition Dates and Venue.
GENCF Photographer of the Year 2026
Celebrating the Art of Photography through Conservation
Be a part of a journey where creativity meets purpose!
Showcase your talent, inspire the world, and contribute to nature conservation.
Whether you’re a pro or an enthusiast, this is your moment to shine!
Submit Your Best 20 Shots
Entry Fee: 1,500 INR or 18 dollars.
Win the prestigious title GENCF Photographer of the Year - 2026 and take home cash prize 1,00,000 INR or 1,100 USD.
Exclusive ZEISS Choice Awards.
Exclusive Nikon Choice Awards now open to all.
Exclusive Srishti Excellence Awards for all Category Winners.
Attractive prizes for all Category Winners: 1st & 2nd Runner Up.
(Conservation Photography, Naturescape & Floral Diversity, Animal Behaviour, Animal Potraits And Animal in Habitats.)
Awards and Achievements:
One Shot! One Story! One Photographer! One Winner!!!
Celebrating the Art of Photography through Storytelling & Conservation
- GENCF Photographer Of The Year – Cash Prize of ₹1,00,000
- Nikon's Choice Award – A Nikon Mirrorless Camera
- ZEISS Choice Award – A ZEISS Binoculars
- Srishti Excellence Award – Products from brands associated with Srishti Digilife, with a total MRP of approximately ₹15,000
- Category Winner – 1st Runner-Up – Awards with an MRP of approximately ₹10,000
- Category Winner – 2nd Runner-Up – Awards with an MRP of approximately ₹3,000–₹5,000
- Nature Emissary Awards – Trophy and Certificate
- Participation Mementos for all participants
The Judges
Dr. Sanjay Shukla
A retired officer of the 1992 batch of the Indian Forest Service, Madhya Pradesh Cadre, Dr. Shukla is widely recognized as a distinguished conservation photographer, with his images featured in numerous national and international publications.
He has received several prestigious photography distinctions, including AFIAP, EFIP, PPSA, GPU CR-3, GPU VIP-3, FRPA.GNG,
Hon. PESGSPC, GPA-PESGSPC, Hon. VNPC, and Hon. WPAI. He was also ranked among the Top 10 Indian Exhibitors of 2022 by the Federation of Indian Photography. His travels across all seven continents, including both polar extremes, have significantly enriched his wildlife and conservation photography portfolio.
Dr. Shukla retired in March 2025 from the post of Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) and is presently serving as Senior Consultant, Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Government of India.
Mr. Ripan Biswas
Three-times Winner in Wildlife Photographer of the Year organised by Natural History Museum, London.
Ripan Biswas is a renowned, globally acclaimed wildlife photographer and educator from Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India.
With a Master’s degree in Environmental Science and a profession in teaching, Ripan found his true calling in nature photography, which he began in 2008. Deeply inspired by the natural world since childhood, he specializes in macro photography but passionately explores all genres of wildlife. His work, widely published in leading platforms like Sanctuary Asia and BBC Wildlife Magazine, serves to raise awareness about conservation
Kallol Mukherjee
Kallol Mukherjee is an award-winning Indian wildlife photographer known for his striking visual storytelling and commitment to nature conservation. With a passion honed over more than a decade, his work spans the vibrant biodiversity of India and beyond.
His photographs have earned international acclaim, with features and recognitions from Nature inFocus, Nature Photographer of the Year, WildArt Photographer of the Year, and Fondation Prince Albert II Photo Award.
He was Highly Commended in NPOTY 2020 and has received honors from Nikon India, including workshop features and mentorship roles.
Kallol’s work has been showcased across global platforms such as Pixoto, Pinterest, and international wildlife fairs.
Mr. Ashish Sulkh
Ashish Sulkh started his career behind a lens at WWF India, photographing wildlife before he ever shot a campaign. Two decades and 1,800+ locations later, he's an advertising filmmaker and documentary photographer working across travel, landscape, fashion, sport, and the cultural texture of India — but the conservationist instinct is still where it began.
He's been lead photographer for the Incredible India campaign under the Ministry of Tourism, made advertising films for Gujarat Tourism and the Kumbh Mela, shot for NBA India , and authored coffee table books for UP Government. His work has appeared in Nat Geo and global exhibitions.
His philosophy is four words: less perfect, more human.
Mr. Sushil Chikane
Sushil is an avid traveller and a photo artist based out of Pune. He has traversed India extensively and there’s nothing he loves doing more. His passion for what he does translates into every one of his travels, ensuring every client experiences and makes the most out of their travel with him.
With a cumulative experience of 20 years in the field in association with an array of organisations, In the course of his travels and having mastered in biodiversity, he has had the privilege to observe some very fascinating and rare creatures that inhabit the wildernesses. Additionally, his unique ability to compose images of wildlife in an artistic manner, gives them a unique feel and can be interpreted in a myriad ways.
Sushil’s pictures have been published in some leading magazines like Heritage India, Saevus and Sanctuary Asia and in books such as the Reptiles and Amphibians of Maharashtra and Reptiles of India. Sushil garners a deep love for India and a talent to be able to tell stories through his photographs.
The Team & The Curators
Santanu Majumder
Sandeep Dutta
Hymakar Valluri
Urmil Jhaveri
Senaritra Dutta
Rakshanda Rashid
Dipanwita Sarkar
