MasterChef India Season 9 will be starting on 5 January 2026 and will promote Indian cultural awareness with the theme Pride of India. This season will bring back popular judges and put up the aspiring contestants against difficult challenges. This will be a season full of tradition, creativity, and high-stake cooking.
| Release Date | 5 January 2026 (Mon-Fri, 9 PM IST) |
| Channel | Sony Entertainment Television |
| OTT Platform | SonyLIV |
| Theme | Pride of India (elevating desi cuisine globally) |
| Judges | Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, Kunal Kapur |
| Contestants | 20-24 home cooks from across India |
| Prize | Rs 25 lakh cash, trophy, kitchen appliances, mentorship |
| Episode Length | 45-60 minutes |
| Challenges | Mystery box, pressure tests, team cook-offs, regional fusions |
Overview
MasterChef India (Season 9)
Timings
Monday to Friday, 9 PM IST
Language
Hindi
Release Date
5 January 2026
Release Date
On 5 January 2026, Monday to Friday at 9 p.m. on Sony Entertainment Television, MasterChef India Season 9 will start. At the same time, the episodes will be streaming on SonyLIV, and the viewers will be able to view the OTT portal whenever. The show will be taking the time slot previously used by Kaun Banega Crorepati, until now.
As we are used to, there will be 20 to 30 episodes in a season, and it will build up to a final episode with even more challenging team and individual competitions. The legendary trio of judges, Vikas Khanna, Chef Ranveer Brar, and Chef Kunal Kapur will be returning, and they will be endowing the season with their overwhelming presence once again. Vikas Khanna, a storyteller from the city of Amritsar with a Michelin star and a talent in global cooking, will provide mentorship to the competitors.
Hosts and Judges
With a winning smile, Kunal Kapur returns as a judge in MasterChef India, Season 9, alongside Kapil Brar, who has walked in on with high-energy charisma and a mix of new and old recipes passed down from generations as regional expertise of India’s ancient food culture. A host has not yet been announced but with relation to the last couple of seasons, more updates from the producers should arrive closer to the premiere.
When past seasons feature lively anchors, providing guidance and energy over the kitchen pandemonium. We have more to come closer to the season’s premiere.
Contestants
Season 9 focuses on home cooks. Unlike the latest edition, a celebrity spinoff, MasterChef India season 9, will feature a wide range of unfamiliar, regional based contestants . We anticipate the season premiere will feature over 20 contestants with 24 MasterChef India Season 9.
Theme and Format
Season 9 MasterChef India will have a new format and like the previous MasterChef seasons, the contestants will be competing to win the title of MasterChef, Season 9: The “Pride of India” MasterChef. The tagline continuously urges the contestants to uplift the desi cuisine of India and showcase it on a global platform.
The format showcases timeless classics like mystery boxes, pressure tests (like 90-minute signature dishes), team cook-offs, and guest chef take-overs. Contestants get immunity and other perks when they are top performers in their challenges.
Episodes are 45-60 minutes long and there is a focus on education in various cooking techniques, cultural storytelling, and dramatic eliminations from the show where they leave in a plot twist.
Where to Watch
You can watch the show on Sony Entertainment Television on cable, DTH, or live TV apps. With OTT subscription, you can get ad-free access and catch up on episodes on SonyLIV where the show is available for streaming.
International fans are able to stream via SonyLIV global app, and can access episodes once they are uploaded to the Sony India OTT Platform. There is no JioTV exclusivity confirmed, but trending in past seasons there.
Reasons to Watch
This season is a refreshing showcase of Indian food from around the country and the judging is balanced and kind but they add in a pleasant amount of humor when judging the contestants. The show teaches a lot of useful cooking skills and is perfect for food lovers but especially those who have a strong love for the art of cooking.
Contestants have to come up with different creations on the spot in a variety of cooking challenges, and the show is very inspirational for anyone who dreams of taking their cooking to the next level. The show is especially educational when it comes to spices, plating, and general fusion recipes, especially in this time of culinary growth around the country.
Focus of Past Seasons
The first season of Master Chef India came out in 2010, and since then there have been eight other seasons with a winner for each. The first winner was Pankaj Bhadouria who took home 1 crore.
Shipra Khanna (Season 2) and Ripudaman Handa (Season 3) were followed by players implementing oil-free innovations and healthy twists. Recent champs like Nikita Gandhi (Season 4), Nayanjyoti Saikia (Season 7, Rs 25 lakh), and Mohammed Ashiq (Season 8) spotlight regional diversity—from Assam to Mangalore. Spin-offs like Junior MasterChef and Celebrity edition were adding flair, but Season 9 revives the core amateur spirit.
Challenges and Prizes
Anticipating “Pride” twists ranging from cooking with regional heirloom ingredients and blind tastings to street eat thalis served to 50 guests. Guest stars such as Marco Pierre White might return with constraining mystery box challenges and timed kitchen utilities.
Recent prizes stand at Rs 25 lakh, a trophy, a kitchen kit, restaurant mentorship (sufficient to start any career) and the finale with signature dishes judged by taste innovation and presentation to crown the next ambassador of food for the nation.
Impact and Legacy
MasterChef India inspires people to cook and leaves the audience with a sense of food for the soul, reviving neglected recipes and boosting food tourism. Season 9 enhances this phenomenon of elevating food and fusion cuisines with the nation’s confidence. This will likely break the internet with #MasterChefIndia challenges.
Videos
Teaser
FAQs
When does the show MasterChef India Season 9 start running?
Starting January 5th, 2026, MasterChef India Season 9 will begin airing every weekday at 9 PM on Sony TV.
Who are the Season 9 judges?
Chef Vikas Khanna, Ranveer Brar, and Kunal Kapur will be the returning judges.
How do I watch MasterChef India 2026?
You can watch the show live on TV and on-demand on the SonyLIV app and the SonyLIV website.
What can you tell me about the theme of MasterChef India Season 9?
The theme titled, Pride of India is about showcasing and adding innovations to traditional Indian cuisine.
How many contestants will participate in Season 9?
The show is expected to have approximately 20 to 24 amateur home cooks who will be selected through auditioning.
What kinds of competition challenges will there be on the show?
Get ready for a variety of competition challenges such as mystery boxes, pressure cookers, team challenges, and recreating different regional dishes.
Will the show have international viewership in Season 9?
Yes, via SonyLIV global app for specific regions.
Who won MasterChef India Season 8?
In 2023, Mohammed Ashiq from Mangalore won the title.
Are auditions for Season 9 open?
Auditions ended in late 2025 and the full contestant lineup will be revealed soon.
Does the show air on other platforms like JioTV?
JioTV might show some highlights, but the show primarily airs on Sony TV and SonyLIV.
What is the main difference in Season 9 compared to the others?
There is a much stronger focus on ‘The Pride of India’ and a fusion of global desi cuisine.
Who was the first MasterChef India winner?
The first season was in 2010, and Pankaj Bhadouria won 1 crore rupees.
How to apply for future MasterChef India seasons?
After the show finale, keep an eye on SonyLIV or other social media platforms for an audition announcement.
Does the show offer cooking tips for viewers?
The judges give tips on things like spice usage, plating, and other techniques used in real-time cooking.
