Navachar Mantra: Start Your Innovation Journey
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Quick Answer
A national initiative by FITT IIT Delhi and NIESBUD to discover and support grassroots innovators with mentorship, incubation, and facilitated access to external funding.
- Funding amount
- Varies
- Funding type
- Grant
- Provider
- FITT, IIT Delhi
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 5 July 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by FITT, IIT Delhi. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this grant
Navachar Mantra is a national initiative dedicated to discovering and supporting India's most promising grassroot innovators. Our goal is simple: to help grassroots entrepreneurs grow by connecting you with the right guidance, resources, and platforms. This program is organized by FITT (Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer, IIT Delhi) and NIESBUD (National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development) under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
Eligibility
See if you're eligible
Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Grant providers
FITT — the Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer — is IIT Delhi's industry interface and the body that runs the institute's startup incubator. It was set up by the IIT Delhi Board of Governors as a registered society on 9 July 1992 and works out of the IIT Delhi…
Learn moreBenefits & Funding
- Fund type
- Grant
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayment
- Non-repayable
What You Get
If selected, you will receive facilitated access to funding from Exim Bank (₹25 lakh to ₹1 crore), SIDBI, BIRAC & Kotak Mahindra Bank. The program also provides 6 months of expert mentorship, IP, legal & fundraising training, participation in the Microsoft Unnati AI 2.0 capacity building program, premium facility access at IIT Delhi campus, national visibility through connections with policymakers and investors, and an IIT-D backed incubator certificate.
- Duration
- 6 months
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applicants are evaluated based on their answers to questions about the local problem they are solving, the uniqueness of their idea, and their current progress. Shortlisted applicants will be selected for the final program.
Application Process
- 1
Apply Online
Submit your application through the online form with details about your idea and progress.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Draft your application
Answer the form inside the grant tracker — AI drafts each response using your past answers, so you're not starting from a blank page.
- 2
See the questions before you start
Download every question this programme's application form asks, so you can prepare your answers offline before opening the portal.
- 3
Line up your documents
Keep every document from the checklist ready in one folder. Missing docs are the #1 reason applications get bounced.
- 4
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 5
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a fully registered company to apply?
No. You can apply if you are unregistered, as long as you commit to officially registering your business if you are selected.
Do I need a finished product?
Not necessarily. You can apply if you are in the idea validation phase, have a working prototype, or are making early revenue.
Is there an entry fee?
No, there is no entry fee to apply.
Who is running this programme?
Navachar Mantra is a joint national initiative by FITT IIT Delhi and NIESBUD under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Government of India.
What sectors are eligible?
Navachar Mantra is sector-agnostic. It welcomes innovators across Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Water & Sanitation (WASH), Automation & Industry 4.0, Waste Management, MSME Enablement, Manufacturing & Hardware, Healthcare & Wellness, Food Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Education & Skills, Handicrafts & Artisans, Cybersecurity, Clean Energy, Financial Inclusion, Rural Commerce, Mobility & Logistics, Climate & Sustainability, and Civic Tech & E-Governance, among other sectors.
What stages of startups are eligible?
Idea validation, working prototype, or early-revenue stage.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
