New Delhi: Public Relations Consultants Association of India (PRCAI) has announced the results of the Spring 2026 edition of its flagship Accreditation in Public Relations (AIPR) programme, accrediting 47 emerging professionals and reinforcing its position as a benchmark for communications talent in India.
Out of 138 applicants, 47 candidates successfully earned the prestigious certification, reflecting a 34.06% success rate. The rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process included an Aptitude Test, campaign case study, and writing assignments, assessed by a 24-member jury panel across New Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
“AIPR has consistently evolved to reflect the changing expectations of the profession. The strength of this process lies in its ability to assess real capability, how professionals think, solve, and communicate under pressure. The 2026 cohort demonstrated a high level of preparedness and is well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to the next phase of growth in the communications industry,” said Santanu Gogoi, Associate Vice President, PRCAI and Founding Partner, First Partners.
The selection process saw 83 candidates progress to the final jury round after completing the preliminary aptitude assessment, conducted in partnership with MeritTrac. The final stage evaluated participants on strategic thinking, problem-solving, ethics, and communication effectiveness.
“What is encouraging this year is how candidates are adapting to a world being reshaped by AI. While new-age tools are important, AIPR evaluates how well professionals combine them with strong strategic thinking in communications, which remains fundamental. The clarity of approach and depth of thinking demonstrated reflect a readiness to take on more complex, strategic roles in the industry,” said Deeptie Sethi, CEO, PRCAI.
The 2026 cohort includes professionals across two levels based on experience:
- Level 1 (1–5 years): 26 candidates
- Level 2 (5–10 years): 21 candidates
Top performers in the Spring 2026 cohort include:
- Level 1: Yazad Elavia (Edelman), Dhara Sangoi (Former Adfactors PR), Sanya Parashar (Archetype)
- Level 2: Pooja Behuria (Edelman), Ritika Garkoti (Adfactors PR), Natasha Srivastava (On Purpose Consulting Pvt Ltd)
With this latest cohort, the total number of AIPR-certified professionals now stands at 115. The programme continues to play a crucial role in strengthening industry standards and building a future-ready talent pool in India’s evolving communications landscape.
