National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0 – Student Innovator Award, ₹25 Lakh Prize
%206.0.jpg)
NATIONAL STARTUP AWARDS (NSA) 6.0
DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry – Student Innovator Award
Issuing AuthorityDPIIT / Startup India
Edition6th Edition (NSA 6.0)
Total Prize Pool₹5.75 Crore
Winners Announced16 January 2027
Important Notice: The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has launched the National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0. This edition includes a new special category for Student Innovators / Aspiring Entrepreneurs with a prize pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories. CBSE has requested all affiliated schools to encourage eligible student participation.
Total Prize Money
₹5.75 Crore
Across 23 Categories
Student Award Pool
₹25 Lakh
Across 4 Sub-Categories
Sectoral Categories
20
+ 3 Special Awards
National Startup Day
16 Jan 2027
Winners Announced
Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award
This special category is designed to promote student innovation and entrepreneurship across schools and colleges in 36 States & UTs. The award has a total prize pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories:
I. Budding Innovators
10–14 Years
II. Rising Innovators
14–16 Years
III. Young Changemakers
16–18 Years
IV. Emerging Entrepreneurs
18+ Years
Up to 10 nominations per State/UT. The Student Innovator Award follows a separate evaluation pathway through State/UT Startup Nodal Agencies.
20 Sectoral Categories & 3 Special Awards
NSA 6.0 features 20 sectoral categories, including several new additions, along with 3 special awards:
- Sectoral Categories (20): Agriculture & AgriTech, Biomanufacturing (New), DeepTech & Frontier Technologies, Climate-Tech & Sustainability, Consumer Industries (New), Creative Industries & Media, Defence & Security (New), Rural Economy & Traditional Industries (New), Education & Skilling (New), Electronics & Semiconductors (New), FinTech, Food-Tech & Biotechnology (New), Healthcare & MedTech, Supply Chain & Logistics, Sports & Fitness-Tech (New), Future Mobility & Automotive (New), Ocean & Blue Economy (New), Space-Tech & Drones (New), Telecom & Digital Infrastructure (New), Travel & Tourism (New).
- Special Award 1: Women-Led Startup of the Year
- Special Award 2: North-East Startup Excellence (for startups from 8 North-Eastern States)
- Special Award 3: Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur (New)
Key Dates & Selection Timeline
- Applications Open: October 2026
- Incubator Evaluation & Selection: November 2026
- Sectoral Committee Review: 15 December 2026
- National Jury Pitch: 2–7 January 2027
- Winners Announced: 16 January 2027 (National Startup Day)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0?
It is the 6th edition of the National Startup Awards launched by DPIIT to recognize innovative, scalable, and impactful startups across India. It includes 20 sectoral categories and 3 special awards.
What is the Student Innovator Award?
It is a new special award under NSA 6.0 for school and college innovators. It has a total prize pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories based on age groups.
Who is eligible for the Student Innovator Award?
Students and aspiring entrepreneurs aged 10 years and above are eligible. There are four sub-categories: Budding Innovators (10-14), Rising Innovators (14-16), Young Changemakers (16-18), and Emerging Entrepreneurs (18+).
How many nominations are allowed per State/UT?
Up to 10 nominations per State/UT are allowed for the Student Innovator Award. The evaluation is done through State/UT Startup Nodal Agencies.
What is the prize money for the Student Innovator Award?
The total prize pool for the Student Innovator Award is ₹25 lakh, distributed across the four sub-categories.
When will the winners be announced?
Winners will be announced on 16 January 2027, which is celebrated as National Startup Day.
How can students apply for the award?
Students can apply online through the Startup India portal. Detailed application and nomination process is available at startupindia.gov.in.
Odisha Govt. HBA Interest Calculator
Find your Interest on House Building Advance under Odisha Govt.
Odisha Govt. Salary Calculator
This Calculator not only calculate your salary also shows your future earning potential and many more.
Odisha Government Pay fixation calculator
Fix your Pay in case of Promotion or MACP under Odisha Govt.
Odisha Govt. DA Arrear Calculator
Calculate arrear DA easily with one click.
Odisha Govt. 8th Pay Commission Calculator
Check out expected salary under 8th pay commission for odisha govt employee.
EMI Calculator
Check your EMI on loan.