The National Startup Awards are a Startup India initiative led by DPIIT to recognise innovative startups. The sixth edition has 20 sector categories and three special categories, including women-led startups, founders from the North-East and student innovators. It is a competitive recognition programme, not a grant available to every business.
Who might consider it?
The Startup India awards page says applicants to the startup categories must be DPIIT-recognised and registered on the portal, subject to the published guidelines. The student category has its own eligibility and nomination process. Sector categories include rural livelihoods, food systems, manufacturing and services as well as technology. Read the rules for the particular category; recognition alone does not establish eligibility or guarantee an award.
Application timing: check before relying on it
On 27 October 2026, DPIIT's announcement said applications would run from 27 October to 20 November 2026. However, on 28 October the Startup India page also displayed a closed-form message with an older date. These official signals conflict. Check the actual portal, guidelines and organiser before assuming applications are open or the deadline is settled.
What to prepare
Identify the most relevant category, check recognition and other conditions, and assemble evidence of the problem, solution, customers and measurable impact. The official page describes a multi-stage review and permits eligible startups to apply in up to three categories. Confirm the current form and required documents before committing time. The student award describes a total ₹25 lakh prize pool across its subcategories; individual amounts and conditions differ, and this is not a general startup grant.
For broader financing, compare funding options, government grants and other support and application preparation. For help developing a business, see incubators and accelerators.
Sources checked: 28 October 2026. Programme dates and terms may change.