National Startup Awards 6.0 (2026)

Who can apply

• DPIIT-recognised startup (private limited company, registered partnership or LLP)
• Not more than 10 years old from the date of incorporation
• Annual turnover never above ₹100 crore in any financial year
• Not under insolvency proceedings; past NSA winners cannot re-apply
• Student Innovator track: school/college students (individual or team of up to 4) with a prototype, MVP or proof of concept; DPIIT recognition not needed

What you get

• ₹25 lakh cash prize per winning category (20 sectoral + Women-Led Startup of the Year + North-East Startup Excellence)
• Student track prizes from ₹2 lakh to ₹6 lakh across four age groups
• Mentoring, investor connects, market access and corporate tie-ups
• National visibility and priority at DPIIT-backed startup events in India and abroad

The government's flagship startup awards are back with a much bigger purse: ₹25 lakh for the winner in each of 20 sector categories and two special categories, up from ₹10 lakh last edition. A separate ₹25 lakh pool covers school and college student innovators. Applications opened 27 Oct 2026 and close 20 Nov 2026 per DPIIT's launch announcement (one aggregator shows 30 Nov — treat 20 Nov as the safe date). Keep your DPIIT certificate and recent financial statements ready; check the portal for the full category rules and how many categories you may enter.

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