Tribal Business Conclave 2026 — Open Grand Challenge
By Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India
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Quick Answer
Ministry of Tribal Affairs grand challenge for DPIIT-recognised startups solving healthcare, education, and livelihood problems in tribal India — ₹12 lakh prize pool.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹12 Lakhs
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Results & next round
Applications for this round closed on 15 June 2026. The organiser has not published a selection list that we can verify yet.
Selections for this programme are announced by Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India. Official links are listed under Sources below.
We update this page when results are published, and when the next round opens.
About this competition
The Tribal Business Conclave 2026 — Open Grand Challenge is an innovation challenge run by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, in association with Startup India. It invites DPIIT-recognised startups to bring forward innovative, scalable, and contextual solutions that can transform healthcare, education, and livelihoods in tribal communities across India.
Who Should Apply Open to all DPIIT-recognised Startups across stages — ideation, validation, early traction, and scaling. Applicants do not need to be from the Scheduled Tribe category — the FAQ explicitly clarifies that any DPIIT-recognised startup can apply, not just tribal-led startups. Solo founders are eligible to apply as Individuals at the ideation stage.
Themes & Problem Statements The challenge is structured around three problem areas relevant to tribal India:
- Healthcare — Building an inclusive, accessible and culturally attuned healthcare system in tribal areas by bridging infrastructural gaps, strengthening human resources, and improving health-seeking behaviour through community-driven and technology-enabled solutions.
- Education — Innovative solutions for developing and utilising a skilled workforce, including teacher recruitment, capacity building, and pedagogical innovation tailored to tribal contexts.
- Livelihoods — Building a resilient and sustainable livelihood ecosystem in tribal areas by enhancing market access, access to credit, value addition, and design support.
Relevant Industries Computer Vision, Telecommunication & Networking, Agriculture, AI, Green Technology, Events, Fashion, Finance Technology, Enterprise Software, and other startup sectors with applicability to tribal communities.
Format & Timeline Applications are submitted online via the Startup India AMS portal. Selected startups receive a national platform to showcase their solution and pilot it with structured hand-holding support.
- Application Start Date: 1 May 2026
- Application End Date: 15 June 2026
- Application Result Date: 10 July 2026
Prizes Three winning startups receive monetary incentives totalling ₹12 lakh:
- 1st Prize — ₹5,00,000
- 2nd Prize — ₹4,00,000
- 3rd Prize — ₹3,00,000
In addition to the cash incentives, winners receive dedicated hand-holding support to pilot, refine, and scale their solutions on a national platform.
Eligibility All DPIIT-recognised Startups, across ideation, validation, early traction, and scaling stages. Individuals at the ideation stage are also eligible. Startups working in healthcare, education, or livelihood solutions relevant to tribal communities are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply Apply through the official Startup India AMS application page linked above. The host organisation is the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Person in Charge: Shri Shambhu Nath Pal, Under Secretary to the Govt. of India).
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Create a free account to view.
Organizers
Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the apex ministry responsible for the welfare and development of Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities across India. Beyond social welfare, it actively funds entrepreneurship and startup initiatives…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹12 Lakhs
What You Get
- Cash prizes totaling ","12,00,000: ","5,00,000 (1st), ","4,00,000 (2nd), ","3,00,000 (3rd).
- Dedicated hand-holding support to pilot, refine, and scale solutions.
- Opportunity to showcase solutions on a national platform.
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Application Process
- 1
Application
You - 2
- 3
- 4
How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
