The challenge is open to innovators, entrepreneurs, and young problem-solvers who meet any of the following criteria:
1. DPIIT-recognized startups currently registered with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
2. MSMEs registered under Udyog Aadhaar.
3. Individuals or teams with innovative ideas or scalable solutions addressing any of the listed problem statements. Selected winners under this category must provide an undertaking to incorporate a company and obtain DPIIT recognition within 6 months of selection.
4. School and college students with innovative ideas or early-stage solutions.
Selected winners under this category must provide an undertaking to incorporate a company and obtain DPIIT recognition within 6 months of selection.
5. Age Criteria: Applicants must be 15 years or older as on 1st November 2025. There is no upper age limit.
AI for preventive healthcare
Preventive healthcare over curative, leads to not just better health outcomes for India and its people, but also makes for sensible economics. It significantly cuts healthcare costs while enhancing the quality of life for us Indians. We are seeking AI and deep-tech solutions in preventive care – predicting epidemic outbreaks, gene mapping, better delivery of mass immunisation programs, mass awareness initiatives, fitness, nutrition, remote healthcare monitoring, and neurobiology. Your solutions must support preventive healthcare at scale.
AI for better mother and child care
Quality healthcare and nutrition in prenatal (pregnancy) & neonatal (first month after delivery) stages and during the first five years of infancy in a child’s life will play a huge role in determining the future economic, educational and physical health parameters of India. Seeking AI and deep-tech solutions in better mother and child-care – support systems for ASHA workers, predictive analytics and alerts, predictive analytics,
drug inventory management, predicting epidemic outbreaks and solutions aligned to Ayushman digital health mission.
AI for equitable healthcare
Quality healthcare is expensive and often inaccessible to the majority of Indians. Seeking AI and Deep-tech solutions in
making quality healthcare equitable and affordable to all – drug supply chains, remote consulting, remote diagnostics,
remote robotic surgeries, AI agents for doctors and healthcare professionals.
Awards:-
1. First prize of INR 0.60 lakh for the best solution from among all applications
2. Three top prizes for the best solution for each of these problem statements – cash award of INR 0.40 lakh each
3. 5 startups will receive the “Promising Startup” Award of INR 10000 each
Non-Fiscal Incentives
1. The above 9 startups + selected 11 promising startups will get an opportunity to attend a free all paid 1-week residential cohort on ground challenges, recent tech advances, scaling from healthcare and business experts.
2. Opportunity to pitch to select investors, institutions and VC’s funding promising healthcare startups and businesses.
3. Option to get incubated and get technical and business mentoring at RUBI – free of cost.
4. Free IPR and patents support from our institution’s IPFC (IP facilitation centre)
Deadline:- 11-01-2026
