Open to startups registered in India

National Startup Awards 6.0

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

About This Scheme

NSA 6.0 is a flagship initiative by Startup India, DPIIT, recognising and rewarding startups with innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions across 22 categories, offering a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.

The National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0 is a prestigious initiative by Startup India, under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India. This program is designed to identify and celebrate exceptional startups that are driving innovation, demonstrating scalability, and creating significant socio-economic impact across India. The awards aim to foster a robust and vibrant startup ecosystem by providing recognition, visibility, and invaluable connections to promising ventures.

Winners are selected through a rigorous, multi-stage evaluation process, culminating in a pitching event before a National Jury Panel. Beyond the substantial cash prize, NSA 6.0 offers unparalleled opportunities for awardees to connect with a network of mentors, investors, corporate partners, and key government stakeholders. This platform not only acknowledges entrepreneurial excellence but also serves as a catalyst for growth, helping startups to scale their solutions and contribute to national development objectives.

Participating in NSA 6.0 allows startups to gain national prominence, attract further investment, and open doors to new markets. The initiative underscores the Government of India's commitment to nurturing homegrown innovation and empowering the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs to build a globally competitive startup ecosystem.

Benefits

Winning startups across 20 sectoral and 2 special categories will receive a cash prize of ₹25 lakh each.
This significant, equity-free funding can be utilized to further develop products, scale operations, or expand market reach.
Beyond the monetary award, NSA 6.0 provides invaluable non-monetary benefits including high-level mentorship from industry veterans, crucial access to a network of investors and corporate partners, and facilitated entry into new markets.
Awardees also gain unparalleled visibility and recognition from government stakeholders, enhancing their credibility and opening doors for future collaborations and growth.

How to Apply

32d — 30 Nov 2026

Selection Process

The selection process for the National Startup Awards 6.0 is a multi-stage, rigorous evaluation designed to identify the most innovative and impactful startups.
It begins with an initial eligibility and compliance screening to ensure all applications meet the stated criteria.
Following this, applications undergo sectoral evaluation by specialized committees.
These committees comprise experts from relevant Ministries, incubators, Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs), and banks/financial institutions, ensuring a diverse and informed assessment.
Startups are evaluated on parameters such as innovation, scalability, market potential, demonstrated impact, sustainability, and specific criteria relevant to their chosen award category.
A subset of applicants is then shortlisted as finalists.
These finalists are invited to a dedicated NSA pitching event, where they present their solutions and business models.
The final selection is made by a distinguished National Jury Panel, consisting of high-level representatives from the Government, industry leaders, and domain experts.
The jury's decisions, along with those of the implementation committee, are final and binding.

Quick Info

Amount / Funding

Up to ₹25L

State / Region

Open to startups registered in India

Ministry / Dept

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Application Window

32d — 30 Nov 2026