Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026
By Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana
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Quick Answer
An open statewide innovation challenge by Startup Haryana inviting startups, students, and citizens to submit solutions for public challenges, offering cash prizes up to ₹5 lakh.
- Funding amount
- ₹1 Lakhs – ₹5 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Rolling
- Location
- Haryana
About this competition
The Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 is a significant initiative by Startup Haryana, under the Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana. Launched as part of the broader "Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan" – a nationwide public outreach campaign commemorating the birthday and 25 years of public service of Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi – this challenge aims to leverage the creative and problem-solving capabilities of Haryana's citizens.
At its core, the program is designed to foster a deep-rooted culture of innovation, empowering talented individuals and enterprises to contribute directly to Haryana's transformation. It seeks impactful, sustainable, and scalable solutions that address urgent public and industrial challenges across the state.
The challenge functions as an open, transparent, and accessible digital platform that bridges innovators with state administrative departments, academic institutions, and industry leaders. It actively supports entrepreneurship and provides invaluable live demonstration opportunities for promising solutions, all with zero application fees. By promoting a culture of creativity and citizen participation, the Seva First Innovation Challenge intends to identify, promote, and support innovative ideas, products, technologies, and solutions, ultimately showcasing their potential to contribute to India's overall development and improve public service delivery in Haryana.
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.
Organizers
Department of Industries & Commerce, Government of Haryana The Department of Industries & Commerce is the apex state government body for industrial development in Haryana and nodal department for Startup Haryana (startupharyana.gov.in). Haryana is home to 11,000+…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- ₹1 Lakhs – ₹5 Lakhs
What You Get
The Seva First Innovation Challenge offers substantial recognition and financial rewards for outstanding innovations. Participants have the opportunity to win cash prizes up to ₹5,00,000 for top-performing solutions at the state level. Additionally, one best innovator from each participating district will receive a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. Beyond the monetary awards, winners gain invaluable state-level recognition, visibility within government departments, academia, and industry leaders, and potential opportunities for live demonstration and implementation of their solutions, fostering significant public impact and networking.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Applications
Rolling basis
Selection Process
The selection process for the Seva First Innovation Challenge involves a multi-stage evaluation to identify the most innovative, feasible, and impactful solutions.
- Application Screening: Initially, all submitted applications undergo scrutiny by an academic desk. This stage includes sector tagging for appropriate categorization and a plagiarism check to ensure originality.
- Preliminary Assessment: Applications that pass the initial screening are then assigned to the State Evaluation Committee and various Sector Specialists. These experts conduct a feasibility audit and provide review remarks, typically within approximately four business days, evaluating the proposed solution, uniqueness, impact, scalability, clarity, and relevance to public problems.
- Jury Evaluation: Shortlisted startups and innovators will be invited to present their ideas to a high-level State-level jury. This jury, comprising domain experts, mentors, and departmental officers, will conduct a comprehensive assessment based on established evaluation criteria.
- Final Selection and Recognition: The top innovations are then selected, and winners receive rewards and state-level recognition for their outstanding performance.
Application Process
- 1
Register & Login
Create an account on the official portal using your mobile number and OTP verification to get a Participant Registration ID.
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
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.
- 2
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 3
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate in the Seva First Innovation Challenge?
The challenge is open to a wide array of innovators from across Haryana, including students (college, polytechnic, university), early-stage and scaling startups, domain experts and professionals, grassroots innovators, academicians and researchers, active citizens, and other enthusiasts including NGOs and self-help groups.
What kind of ideas or innovations are eligible?
Participants can submit innovative solutions that address developmental and governance challenges across various sectors such as Agriculture, Healthcare, Education, Environment, Smart Cities, IT, Manufacturing, FinTech, Transportation, Tourism, Social Innovation, Retail, Sports, and Defence. Both prototype-stage and market-ready innovations are encouraged, provided they demonstrate originality and potential impact.
Is there any fee to participate in the challenge?
No, registration and participation in the Seva First Innovation Challenge are completely free of charge. The program aims to remove barriers to entry for all innovators.
What are the awards for winning the challenge?
At the district level, one top performer from each district will be awarded a cash prize of ₹1,00,000. At the state level, the three best innovators across all applicants will each receive a cash prize of ₹5,00,000. Winners also receive significant recognition and visibility from the Government of Haryana.
Can I submit multiple ideas or edit my application after submission?
Yes, participants are permitted to submit multiple innovations, with each requiring a separate application. You may also edit your application until the official submission deadline. After the final submission, modifications may not be allowed unless specifically enabled by the portal.
What is the primary objective of this challenge?
The main objective is to discover, encourage, and promote innovative solutions developed by youth, startups, professionals, MSMEs, and grassroots innovators, while simultaneously fostering a robust ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship in Haryana. It aims to identify, promote, and support impactful ideas, products, and technologies that can contribute to India's development.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
