IndiaPosted at: Nov 5 2026 7:43PM


CBSE asks schools to nominate young innovators for national awards carrying Rs 25 lakh prize pool

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has asked its affiliated schools to identify and nominate students aged 10 and above for the National Startup Awards 2026, which offer a Rs 25 lakh prize pool across four student innovation categories.
In a circular, CBSE asked schools to encourage students with innovative ideas, creative solutions, and entrepreneurial potential to participate in the Student Innovator/Aspiring Entrepreneur Award under the sixth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA 6.0), launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
The initiative aims to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship among young people by providing national recognition to students developing creative solutions to real-world problems.
According to the circular, the student awards will cover four age-based subcategories: Budding Innovators (10–14 years), Rising Innovators (14–16 years), Young Changemakers (16–18 years) and Emerging Entrepreneurs (18 years and above).
The four subcategories will share a total prize pool of Rs 25 lakh, with nominations evaluated at the national level to identify outstanding student innovators.
CBSE has requested that schools facilitate outreach, identify eligible candidates, and support nominations in accordance with the prescribed eligibility criteria and application process.
The framework also envisages participation from educational institutions across the country, with states and union Territories permitted to forward up to 10 nominations each.
The National Startup Awards 2026 carry an overall prize allocation of Rs 5.75 crore across 23 award categories, comprising 20 sectoral awards and three special categories.
Each main award category has a prize allocation of Rs 25 lakh. The three special categories recognise women-led startups, startups from the northeastern region and student innovators or aspiring entrepreneurs.
The sectoral awards cover agriculture, biotechnology, healthcare, education, artificial intelligence, clean energy, defence, manufacturing, financial technology, digital infrastructure and other emerging industries.
Besides financial rewards, the broader awards programme aims to provide winners and finalists with national recognition, mentorship opportunities, access to investors, corporate partnerships and institutional support.
According to the programme framework, applications opened in October, with evaluation and selection activities scheduled for November and December 2026.
The national jury presentations are scheduled for January 2–7, 2027, while the winners are expected to be announced on January 16, coinciding with National Startup Day.
CBSE Professor and Director (Academics) Dr Praggya M. Singh, who issued the circular, urged school heads to disseminate the information widely and encourage eligible students to participate.
Schools have been advised to follow the detailed application and nomination guidelines available on the Startup India portal.
The initiative is intended to strengthen the culture of innovation in educational institutions and encourage students to translate their ideas into practical solutions and potential entrepreneurial ventures.UNI KK AAB
Tags: #CBSE asks schools to nominate young innovators for national awards carrying Rs 25 lakh prize pool
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