KSHITIJ — ICAR-CIRCOT Startup Incubation Programme

KSHITIJ is a pan-India startup incubation programme supported by ICAR's IP&TM unit under the National Agricultural Innovation Fund. ICAR-CIRCOT is the hub institute, working through its Agri Business Incubation Centre, with ICAR-CIAE Bhopal, ICAR-NINFET Kolkata, ICAR-CAZRI Jodhpur, ICAR-CCARI Goa and ICAR-IIFSR Meerut as spokes for mentoring and regional outreach. It is run by the institute's ABI Centre rather than by the RKVY-RAFTAAR wing, and it is between intakes — the last application date published was in January 2026.

What you get

• A one-month intensive training and mentoring programme
• Technical guidance from ICAR scientists, academics and industry experts
• Help with testing and field-level validation of the technology
• Business modelling, market linkage and IP advisory

Who can apply

• Innovators, entrepreneurs and early-stage startups anywhere in India
• You need a ready proof of concept, prototype or minimum viable product
• Areas covered include farm mechanisation, precision agriculture, robotics, smart harvesting, post-harvest processing, storage and digital agriculture

How to apply: when a call is open, applications are taken online only, through the form on the ICAR-CIRCOT website or a QR code on the announcement.