National Startup Awards
DPIIT, Government of India
Annual government awards recognising startups across 20 sector categories, plus women-led, North-East and student awards. Winners in startup categories are eligible for cash, along with mentoring, investor access, market connections and visibility. The sixth edition adds 12 new sectors. It rewards existing traction and impact rather than funding an idea.
What you can get
₹25 lakh per category for winning startups, subject to award guidelines
Do you repay it?
No
Type
Prize
Where
All of India
Current status
A PIB release dated 27 October 2026 says applications for NSA 6.0 are open from 27 October to 20 November 2026 through the Startup India portal. Published deadline: 20 November 2026.
Who can apply
- Eligible startups or student innovators under the NSA 6.0 guidelines
- Fits one of the 20 sector categories or a special category
- Judged on innovation, scalability, sustainability and social or economic impact
How to apply
- 1Go to the Startup India portal
- 2Read the NSA 6.0 guidelines for your category
- 3Submit your application by 20 November 2026
The catch
This is a competition with one cash winner per category, so treat it as visibility, not funding. Read the 6.0 rules on the portal. The 2020 edition required DPIIT recognition and a product in the market.
We read this on the official page on 4 November 2026. Rules and dates change, so confirm there before you apply. Founders Wing is not connected to this scheme, does not help with applications and never charges for access to it.