The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has officially opened applications for the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA)—a prestigious initiative under the Startup India program.
Launched in 2016, Startup India has significantly reshaped India’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, encouraging innovation and empowering a new generation of youth, women, students, and first-time founders. The initiative has been especially effective in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, bringing opportunities and recognition to startups across the country. To date, over 1.75 lakh startups have been recognized by DPIIT, representing nearly every district and spanning diverse sectors such as health, education, agriculture, clean energy, and deep tech.
In line with the Government of India’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the broader goal of a $5 trillion economy, Startup India continues to provide startups with critical support through recognition, tax exemptions, regulatory reforms, funding opportunities, and capacity-building programs.
To spotlight and celebrate high-impact ventures, DPIIT launched the National Startup Awards in 2019. The awards aim to recognize not only commercial success but also a startup’s social impact, sustainability, innovation, and scalability. With growing credibility and reach, the most recent edition received more than 2,300 applications, underscoring the initiative’s national significance.
Startups applying for NSA undergo a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process. It begins with eligibility screening, followed by sector-wise shortlisting and thorough assessment by expert panels. These panels include industry leaders, investors, academicians, and senior government officials. DPIIT oversees the entire process, with support from relevant ministries to ensure sectoral representation and alignment with national priorities.
The awards cover a wide spectrum of sectors, including agriculture, fintech, clean energy, aerospace, health, cybersecurity, education, and accessibility, among others. Each edition introduces new categories to stay aligned with the evolving needs and challenges of India’s dynamic startup ecosystem.
More than just a cash award, the NSA recognition acts as a mark of national credibility. It opens doors for winners to build partnerships, attract investors, gain policy support, secure global exposure, and benefit from mentoring opportunities. Several previous winners have gone on to expand globally, influence policymaking, and win prestigious grants.
Some notable examples include:
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Innaumation Medical Devices, awarded for innovation in voice prosthesis, later featured in the Tata Social Enterprise Challenge and global forums.
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Micob, which was invited to the “President with Startups” initiative and secured defence contracts through iDEX.
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Blackfrog Technologies, whose vaccine carrier Emvolio is WHO-prequalified and now used across 16 Indian states and multiple international markets like Kenya, Nigeria, and Fiji.
The National Startup Awards 2025 continues to serve as a cornerstone of India’s innovation journey, empowering changemakers and shaping a bold, inclusive, and self-reliant Viksit Bharat.
Applications are now open and can be submitted through the official link: https://rb.gy/3bg0yf
