New Delhi, March 11, 2026: ITC Mangaldeep has expanded its Sixth Sense Panel in Delhi with the addition of 30 new members, strengthening its initiative aimed at integrating sensory-led insights into product development. The move is part of the brand’s effort to advance inclusive innovation by involving individuals with heightened olfactory sensitivity in evaluating fragrance products.
The expanded panel includes individuals from diverse professional backgrounds, with around 90% of the new members employed across different sectors. Others are associated with non-governmental organisations, access groups, or are currently pursuing postgraduate and doctoral studies. Their participation is intended to bring deeper sensory perspectives to Mangaldeep’s product development process.
The Sixth Sense Panel initiative focuses on leveraging the sensory capabilities of visually impaired individuals to evaluate fragrance products more effectively than conventional testing approaches. By incorporating such insights, the company aims to refine fragrance profiles and product experiences through more human-centric evaluation methods.
Rohit Dogra, Divisional CEO, Agarbatti & Matches Division at ITC, said, “When we started the Sixth Sense Panel four years ago, it was with the belief that product is best understood through those who truly experience it at a deeper level. Today, it has become an important part of how we shape and fine-tune our offerings at Mangaldeep. The insights shared by our visually impaired panelists bring a depth and honesty that conventional testing often misses. We look forward to continuing this journey together and building an even stronger, more meaningful association with the community.”
As part of the onboarding process, the newly inducted members participated in a structured training programme focused on olfactory learning. The sessions covered key fragrance families such as fruity, floral, woody, aromatic or herbal, mint-based scents, and oudh or amber notes. Participants were introduced to both individual raw materials and blended fragrance compositions.
The training also included tactile and scent-based familiarisation with Mangaldeep’s product portfolio, including Popular Dhoop Sticks, Premium Dhoop Cones, Flora Agarbatti, Premium Cups, and Sambrani Sticks. A product evaluation protocol was also introduced to enable the panel members to contribute systematically to monthly product assessment cycles.
Sharing her experience, Sonali Rawat, Maths Faculty at Deep Stambh Manobal Foundation, said, “I'm truly grateful to ITC Mangaldeep for including us in their product testing journey. The entire experience was thoughtful and inclusive, and the gestures extended to us made us feel genuinely valued.”
Prerna Sobti, a corporate trainer, added, “I would like to thank ITC Mangaldeep for organising such a meaningful and informative training. It was encouraging to be part of an initiative that is truly inclusive. I felt supported and respected throughout the session.”
Through the expansion of the Sixth Sense Panel, ITC Mangaldeep aims to further strengthen its approach to fragrance innovation by combining scientific testing methods with immersive sensory feedback. The initiative reflects the brand’s focus on blending traditional fragrance expertise with inclusive practices to enhance product development.
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