Top 2026 contests for startups from the Government and private sectors in India

Blockchain India Challenge - MeitY & C-DAC

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Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)

National blockchain and Web3 startup challenge for citizen-centric solutions

Deadline: March 27, 2026

Upto: ₹50 Lakhs

The Pitch by Deel 2026 - Deel

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Deel

Global seed-stage competition for startups under $5M raised

Amount Not Specified

BUILD 5.0 – Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development Program by FITT IIT Delhi

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Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi in partnership with Boeing

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

₹10 lakh prize competition for deeptech early-stage startups & students.

Up to ₹10 crore for IAF deep-tech defence challenges.

Deadline: March 9, 2026

Upto: ₹10 Cr

iDEX DISC 12 (Re-Open) – IAF

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

Up to ₹1.5 crore for IAF helicopter glide path landing system.

Deadline: March 9, 2026

Upto: ₹1.5 Cr

BOSCH–BMU Innovation Challenge Cohort 2

BOSCH and BML Munjal University

Sustainable mobility innovation challenge.

Deadline: March 5, 2026

Amount Not Specified

AI-Based Early Childhood Development (ECD) Innovation Challenge

Women Development & Child Welfare Department, Government of Andhra Pradesh

Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)

Up to ₹2Cr govt contract for DPIIT-recognised AI/ECD innovators.

Deadline: March 4, 2026

Deadline: February 28, 2026

Up to ₹1.5 crore grant for defence & aerospace innovators.

Upto: ₹1.5 Cr

Greenovation Agrivoltaics Challenge

EarthON Foundation, SwitchON Foundation

Deadline: February 25, 2026

Up to ₹15L + access to ₹2Cr grants for agrivoltaics pilots.

Upto: ₹15 Lakhs