MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0?

It is the Ministry of MSME's flagship innovation hackathon (run under the Incubation Component of the MSME Innovative Scheme), themed 'Frontier Technology in MSMEs — One Pillar, Six Themes'. Approved ideas get up to ₹15 lakh plus incubation support through an approved Host Institute to build a working prototype.

Who can apply?

All Indian citizens aged 18 and above with a valid email and mobile number. You apply under one of three categories: MSME (with a Udyam Registration number), Student (with a Student Identity Card valid for FY 2026-27), or Others.

How much funding do approved ideas get?

Up to a maximum of ₹15 lakh per approved idea, disbursed through the approved Host Institute, along with incubation and mentoring support to develop the idea into a prototype.

When and where do I apply?

Apply online at https://innovative.msme.gov.in between 27 June and 14 July 2026.

What are the six themes?

Renewable Energy; Energy Efficiency; Automotive Technology; Industry 4.0 and 5.0; Robotics and Automation; and Other Frontier Technologies (advanced materials, drones, space, defence/dual-use, medical devices, electronics, etc.).

Can I change my Host Institute or apply to more than one?

No. Once an idea is submitted, the Host Institute, category and other details cannot be changed at any stage. The same or a substantially similar idea must be submitted only once and to only one HI — duplicates are disqualified. Consult your chosen HI before submitting.

What documents do I need?

A Government-issued photo ID (preferably Aadhaar) as age proof; a Udyam Registration number (MSME category) or a Student Identity Card valid for FY 2026-27 (Student category); and an anonymised Block Diagram and Concept Note that do not reveal the incubatee/MSME's identity.

How are ideas evaluated?

Through four stages: (1) Host Institute expert panels, (2) Ministry of MSME document screening, (3) thematic Domain Expert Selection Committees (DESCs) who score and recommend, and (4) final approval by the Project Monitoring & Advisory Committee (PMAC).

What should my idea aim for?

The idea must be strictly intended for developing a working prototype, model, proof-of-concept or product. It should be novel, scalable, and ideally reduce cost, improve quality of life or support clean and green energy.

I'm a student — what's expected of me?

Student applicants must commit to continuing and completing development of the idea even after their academic programme ends. If you don't intend to carry the work forward post-completion, you're advised not to apply.

What will get me disqualified?

Submitting false information, misconduct or canvassing; duplicate/multiple submissions; ideas that infringe novelty/originality or go against established scientific norms; or revealing identity in the block diagram/concept note. The incubatee and mentor cannot be the same person, and neither can sit on any evaluation committee.

About this grant

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0 — "Frontier Technology in MSMEs: One Pillar, Six Themes" is the latest edition of the Ministry of MSME's flagship innovation hackathon, run under the Incubation Component of the MSME Innovative Scheme.

Aligned with the Hon'ble Prime Minister's vision of a Viksit Bharat @2047, this edition opens its doors to a broad spectrum of participants — welcoming all Indian citizens aged 18 and above — to harness the country's collective ingenuity, address pressing national challenges and build a future-ready MSME ecosystem.

Selected ideas receive funding support of up to ₹15 lakh per approved idea, channelled through approved Host Institutes (HIs) spread across the country, along with incubation and mentoring support to convert the idea into a working prototype.

One Pillar, Six Themes

The single pillar is Frontier Technology in MSMEs, spanning six themes:

Renewable Energy — generation, storage, management and productive use of renewable energy: solar, wind, biomass, biogas, green hydrogen, hybrid systems, battery storage, second-life batteries, renewable-powered machinery and decentralised energy (e.g. solar dryers, cold storage, pumps, process-heating, monitoring tools).
Energy Efficiency — affordable solutions that cut energy consumption, cost and process losses in MSME units: energy-monitoring devices, efficient motors and drives, compressed-air leak detection, waste-heat recovery, efficient boilers/furnaces, better refrigeration, process optimisation and power-quality improvement, ideally retrofittable with measurable savings.
Automotive Technology — automotive manufacturing, electric mobility and mobility-support: indigenous components, e-motors and controllers, battery- and thermal-management, charging/battery-swapping, vehicle electronics, sensors, lightweight materials, safety and alternative-fuel systems, diagnostics, remanufacturing and end-of-life vehicle recovery.
Industry 4.0 and 5.0 — connected, intelligent, human-centric manufacturing using IoT, digital twins, AI, machine vision, cyber-physical systems and smart monitoring: affordable sensors, machine-retrofitting, predictive maintenance, digital work instructions and traceability that modernise operations without replacing existing machinery.
Robotics and Automation — affordable, adaptable automation built for MSME scale: pick-and-place, machine-tending, automated inspection, robotic welding/finishing, material handling, autonomous factory vehicles, computer-vision automation, modular controllers, adaptive grippers and retrofit kits — easy to install, safe and simple to program.
Other Frontier Technologies — emerging, high-growth sectors not covered above: advanced materials, drones, space technology, defence and dual-use tech, medical devices and electronics, with a focus on indigenous components, import substitution, commercialisation and exports.

Innovation mandate

Every idea should embed innovation across dimensions such as marketing & branding, ideation, technology, co-creation, social innovation, entrepreneurship, open innovation and business-model innovation.

For implementation, the Host Institutions approved for the scheme are supported by the Office of DC-MSME.

MSME Idea Hackathon 6.0

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Frequently Asked Questions

About this grant

One Pillar, Six Themes

Innovation mandate

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Equity closing soon

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