India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons Logo Competition 2026 [Open to All Ages; No Cash Prize]: Submit by Sep 15

The Embassy of India in Japan is inviting entries for the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons Logo Competition 2026. The selected logo is intended to become the visual identity for the year-long celebrations marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Japan in 2027.

Citizens of India and Japan can participate regardless of their age or current country of residence. OCI and PIO cardholders currently residing in Japan are also eligible.

Participants must create an original logo representing India-Japan friendship, shared values, people-to-people connections, common progress and future aspirations. Designs created using generative Artificial Intelligence are not permitted.

Important: The winning designer will not receive a cash prize, monetary award or other compensation.

Deadline: September 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM IST/5:30 PM JST

Download the official application form.

India-Japan Logo Competition 2026: Highlights

• Organiser: Embassy of India, Tokyo
• Celebration: India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons 2027
• Occasion: 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations
• Eligible participants: Citizens of India and Japan
• Age limit: No age limit
• Residence condition: Indian and Japanese citizens may participate regardless of their current place of residence
• OCI/PIO eligibility: OCI and PIO cardholders currently residing in Japan may participate
• Number of entries: One entry per participant
• Submission versions: Both colour and black-and-white
• Maximum file size: Less than 3 MB
• Minimum quality: 300 DPI
• Accepted formats: PNG, SVG, EPS or JPEG
• Logo explanation: Approximately 80 words
• Generative AI: Not permitted
• Application mode: Email
• Application fee: Not specified in the official information
• Prize: No prize, monetary award or other compensation
• Expected result announcement: Early December 2026, subject to change
• Deadline: September 15, 2026, 2:00 PM IST/5:30 PM JST

About the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons Logo Competition

The governments of India and Japan have decided to celebrate 2027 as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons, commemorating 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The Embassy of India in Japan is conducting this competition to select a logo that can serve as the visual identity for the year-long celebrations. The design should communicate the character of the India-Japan Special Strategic and Global Partnership.

The official campaign highlights ideas such as:

• India-Japan friendship
• People-to-people connections
• Shared values
• Common progress
• Common aspirations
• Shared horizons
• Seventy-five years of diplomatic relations

Participants may interpret these ideas creatively, but their submission must comply with the technical, originality and cultural-sensitivity requirements.

Recognition for the Selected Designer

The selected design may be used as the official visual identity for the 75th-anniversary celebrations. Its final version may be distributed to parties authorized by India’s Ministry of External Affairs and Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

With the designer’s consent, their name and affiliation will be announced along with the selected logo.

However, applicants must understand that:

• There is no cash prize.
• There is no monetary award.
• There is no other form of compensation.
• A certificate has not been specified.
• Receipt of an entry will not be acknowledged.
• Participants whose entries are not selected will not be contacted.

Eligibility

You can participate if you belong to any one of the following categories:

• You are a citizen of India.
• You are a citizen of Japan.
• You are an OCI cardholder currently residing in Japan.
• You are a PIO cardholder currently residing in Japan.

Age and Residence

There is no age limit for Indian or Japanese citizens.

Citizens of India and Japan can participate regardless of their current place of residence. Therefore, an Indian or Japanese citizen does not have to be living in India or Japan to enter.

The residence condition is different for OCI and PIO cardholders: they must currently reside in Japan.

Can I Apply?

You can apply if you are an Indian or Japanese citizen of any age, regardless of where you currently live. You may also apply as an OCI or PIO cardholder if you currently reside in Japan.

Each participant can submit only one entry.

Logo Theme

The logo should represent:

• The year 2027 as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons
• The 75th anniversary of India-Japan diplomatic relations
• The continuing partnership between India and Japan
• A visual identity suitable for year-long official celebrations

The design should be meaningful, original and adaptable for different official uses.

Technical Specifications

The logo must meet the following requirements:

• Quality: Minimum 300 DPI
• File size: Less than 3 MB
• Accepted formats: PNG, SVG, EPS or JPEG

Required Resolution

• Vertical layout, described as portrait by the organiser: 160 × 160 pixels
• Horizontal or landscape layout: 250 × 150 pixels

The official specifications describe the 160 × 160-pixel version as a vertical or portrait layout even though the stated dimensions are square. Applicants should follow the dimensions exactly as published or seek clarification from the Embassy before submission.

Formatting changes may subsequently be requested if considered necessary.

Submission Requirements

Each submission should include:

• One original logo design
• A colour version of the logo
• A black-and-white version of the logo
• The completed official application form
• An explanation of the logo in approximately 80 words
• The applicant’s signature and date on the application form
• A declaration confirming originality and compliance with the rules

The application form asks for:

• Name of applicant
• Nationality
• Occupation or school
• Address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Explanation of the logo

Important Rules

Applicants should read these conditions carefully because several could lead to rejection or affect their rights over the design.

• Only one entry per participant will be accepted.
• The logo must be original.
• The design must not infringe another person’s copyright.
• Generative AI must not be used to design the logo.
• Plagiarism of any kind is prohibited.
• The submitted logo must not have been published previously in print, online or on any other digital platform.
• The entry must not contain commercial content.
• Offensive or provocative content is prohibited.
• The design must not be culturally or socially insensitive.
• Both colour and black-and-white versions are compulsory.
• Postal entries will not be accepted.
• Submitted designs and other materials will not be returned.
• The organiser will not acknowledge receipt of submissions.
• Unsuccessful participants will not be contacted.
• The selection committee’s decision will be final.
• Questions concerning the judging process will not be entertained.

Important AI Restriction

The logo must not be designed using generative Artificial Intelligence.

The application form requires the participant to declare explicitly that generative AI was not used. Applicants should therefore avoid AI image generators and other generative design tools when creating any part of the submitted logo.

Ordinary non-generative design software is not expressly prohibited, but participants remain responsible for ensuring that the final design is original and does not infringe copyright.

Copyright and Ownership Conditions

Applicants should consider the ownership terms before submitting.

The application form states that, if selected, all copyright in the logo will belong free of charge to the Ministry of External Affairs of India and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan.

The competition webpage also contains broad language stating that participants agree to relinquish all rights and interests in submitted designs. Participants should read both the official terms and the declarations in the application form carefully before signing.

The selected logo cannot subsequently be reproduced, distributed or transmitted without prior written permission from the two ministries.

Possible Changes to the Winning Logo

The governments of India and Japan may adapt the selected logo for use as an official visual identity.

Possible changes may include:

• Size adjustments
• Changes to the colour scheme
• Translation of text into Japanese or English
• Other edits, alterations or processing required for official use

If agreement cannot be reached over the required revisions, the selected logo may be withdrawn from use.

The design may also be withdrawn if information submitted by the participant is later found to be false. Selection, therefore, does not unconditionally guarantee that the design will ultimately be used.

Selection and Result Announcement

Entries will be considered by a selection committee. Its decision will be final, and inquiries regarding the judging process will not be accepted.

The result is scheduled to be announced simultaneously by the governments of India and Japan in early December 2026. This schedule is subject to change.

The selected designer’s name and affiliation may be announced with the logo, provided the designer gives consent.

How to Submit the Logo?

1. Read the complete competition terms on the Embassy of India website.
2. Create an original logo without using generative AI.
3. Prepare both colour and black-and-white versions.
4. Ensure the logo meets the specified dimensions, quality, size and file-format requirements.
5. Download and complete the official application form.
6. Write an explanation of the logo in approximately 80 words.
7. Read the declarations concerning originality, AI use, modifications and copyright.
8. Sign and date the application form.
9. Attach the completed form and logo files to an email.
10. Send the complete submission to attpol.tokyo@mea.gov.in before the deadline.

Postal submissions will not be accepted.

Download the India-Japan Logo Competition application form.

Deadline

September 15, 2026, at 2:00 PM IST

The corresponding deadline in Japan is:

September 15, 2026, at 5:30 PM JST

The submission must reach the designated email address by this time. Since receipt will not be acknowledged, participants should recheck every attachment and email detail before sending.

Submission Email

Completed entries must be emailed to:

attpol.tokyo@mea.gov.in

Use of a clear subject line identifying the logo competition and applicant is advisable, although the official notice does not prescribe a mandatory email subject.

Application Form

Download the official application form for the India-Japan Logo Competition.

Official Notification

Read the official competition notification on the Embassy of India, Tokyo website.

Before submitting, participants should pay particular attention to three conditions: generative AI cannot be used, both colour and black-and-white versions are required, and the selected designer will receive no monetary prize or compensation. The ownership and modification declarations should also be read fully before the application form is signed.