Innovation Challenges

SEVA First Innovation Challenge 2026

DDelhi Technological UniversityVerified Organizer

Registration 19 September 2026 – 1 October 2026Exam Date 19 September 2026Hybrid · national

Total prize pool of ₹2 crore for innovation grants and awards

Registration closes in

4 days

Closes 1 October 2026

Registration feeSet by organizer

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Registration closes

1 October 2026

4 days remaining

Exam date

19 September 2026

Mark your calendar

Eligibility

Grade 10

See details

Top prize

Total prize pool of ₹2 crore for innovation grants and awards

4 rewards listed

About this opportunity

A national DTU-led youth innovation challenge to turn real local and national problems into sustainable, affordable and implementable solutions, with a total prize pool of ₹2 crore.

SEVA First Innovation Challenge 2026 is a national platform launched at Delhi Technological University to help young Indians identify real problems and develop sustainable, affordable and implementable solutions for Viksit Bharat.

National themes include defence, space, AI, robotics, manufacturing, energy, environment, infrastructure and future mobility.
Local themes include agriculture, education, healthcare, urban problems, livelihoods, women and child safety, transport, energy and tourism.
The challenge moves from problem identification and ideation through prototyping, field validation and implementation planning.

Participants gain problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and entrepreneurship experience, plus exposure to faculty, mentors, experts, industry and government.

What you can get

Total prize pool of ₹2 crore for innovation grants and awards

National visibility, recognition and exposure

Mentoring, expert consultation and maker-space or laboratory access

Potential incubation and entrepreneurship opportunities for outstanding innovations

Innovation journey and timeline

Stage I – Ideate: 19 September–1 October 2026
Stage II – Screen: 2–11 October 2026
Stage III – Build and Evaluate: 12 October–10 November 2026
Stage IV – Validate and Test: 11–19 November 2026
Stage V – Final Select: 20–26 November 2026
Stage VI – Result Declaration: date to be declared

Proposal and evaluation focus

Problem identification and understanding
Novelty, science, technology, engineering and design
Sustainability, affordability and feasibility
Working prototype or proof of concept
Field validation, user feedback, safety and reliability
Implementation pathway, scalability and beneficiary impact

Benefits and recognition

₹2 crore total prize pool
Mentor, expert and industry networking
Prototype development support and laboratory or maker-space access
National visibility, recognition and possible incubation pathways

Eligibility

Grade 10
Class X onwards up to ITI level may participate with appropriate institutional support.
Diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. students, startups, MSMEs, R&D organisations and government laboratories may participate.
Individuals and teams choose a National Level or Local Community Level Innovation track.
A prescribed 15-slide innovation proposal is required.

How to apply

1
Check eligibility
Confirm your participant category and the requirements of the chosen problem statement.
2
Select a track and theme
Choose National Level or Local Community Level Innovation, then select a theme and problem statement.
3
Form a team
Register individually or as a group and designate a team leader.
4
Submit the proposal
Prepare the prescribed 15-slide presentation describing the problem, proposed solution, technology, beneficiaries, feasibility and impact.
5
Build and validate
Shortlisted teams develop prototypes with mentoring, field-test their solutions and prepare for National Jury evaluation.

Need help? Contact support and we'll guide you through the application.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?

Class X onwards through ITI, diploma and higher-education students, researchers, startups, MSMEs, R&D organisations, government laboratories and eligible teams can participate.

Can teams participate?

Yes. Individuals, groups and teams may participate, subject to the chosen problem statement.

What submission format is required?

The official guidelines require a concise 15-slide presentation covering problem identification, innovation, prototype development and potential impact.

What is the prize pool?

The official site lists a total prize pool of ₹2 crore.

What support is available?

Shortlisted teams may receive mentoring, expert consultations, workshops, laboratory or fabrication access, design reviews and technical evaluation.

Source: official listing · last verified 22 September 2026

About this opportunity

A national DTU-led youth innovation challenge to turn real local and national problems into sustainable, affordable and implementable solutions, with a total prize pool of ₹2 crore.

National themes include defence, space, AI, robotics, manufacturing, energy, environment, infrastructure and future mobility.
Local themes include agriculture, education, healthcare, urban problems, livelihoods, women and child safety, transport, energy and tourism.
The challenge moves from problem identification and ideation through prototyping, field validation and implementation planning.

Participants gain problem-solving, teamwork, leadership and entrepreneurship experience, plus exposure to faculty, mentors, experts, industry and government.

Innovation journey and timeline

Stage I – Ideate: 19 September–1 October 2026
Stage II – Screen: 2–11 October 2026
Stage III – Build and Evaluate: 12 October–10 November 2026
Stage IV – Validate and Test: 11–19 November 2026
Stage V – Final Select: 20–26 November 2026
Stage VI – Result Declaration: date to be declared

Eligibility

Grade 10

Class X onwards up to ITI level may participate with appropriate institutional support.

Diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. students, startups, MSMEs, R&D organisations and government laboratories may participate.

Individuals and teams choose a National Level or Local Community Level Innovation track.

A prescribed 15-slide innovation proposal is required.

How to apply

Check eligibility

Confirm your participant category and the requirements of the chosen problem statement.

Select a track and theme

Choose National Level or Local Community Level Innovation, then select a theme and problem statement.

Form a team

Submit the proposal

Prepare the prescribed 15-slide presentation describing the problem, proposed solution, technology, beneficiaries, feasibility and impact.

Build and validate

Shortlisted teams develop prototypes with mentoring, field-test their solutions and prepare for National Jury evaluation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can participate?

Class X onwards through ITI, diploma and higher-education students, researchers, startups, MSMEs, R&D organisations, government laboratories and eligible teams can participate.

Can teams participate?

Yes. Individuals, groups and teams may participate, subject to the chosen problem statement.

What submission format is required?

The official guidelines require a concise 15-slide presentation covering problem identification, innovation, prototype development and potential impact.

What is the prize pool?

The official site lists a total prize pool of ₹2 crore.

What support is available?

Shortlisted teams may receive mentoring, expert consultations, workshops, laboratory or fabrication access, design reviews and technical evaluation.