Vande Bharatam

Application Process

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Apply Online
Submit your application through the Vande Bharatam online portal by the deadline of July 19, 2026.
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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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for Vande Bharatam?

Vande Bharatam is open to innovators and entrepreneurs of all ages and from all fields. This includes individual innovators, startups, institutions, incubators, colleges, and even NRI/Overseas startups with solutions relevant to India. The program welcomes participants from the idea stage through to ventures ready for scale, with a focus on grassroots talent and solutions for India.

What are the key dates for the program?

Applications open on June 24, 2026, and close on July 19, 2026. National Finalists will be selected by July 31, 2026. The Finalist Week, involving mentorship and bootcamps, will take place from August 8-16, 2026, culminating in the Grand Finale on August 16, 2026, in Ahmedabad.

Is there a registration fee to apply?

The provided information does not mention any registration fee. It is typical for such national innovation challenges to be free for applicants. You can verify this by checking the application portal or contacting the organizers directly.

How does the selection process work?

After applications close, 75 National Finalists will be selected by July 31, 2026, based on their innovative ideas and potential impact. These finalists will then participate in a dedicated Finalist Week (August 8-16, 2026), which includes mentorship, bootcamps, and presentations. The program culminates in a Grand Finale on August 16, 2026, where finalists will pitch live to Mr. Gautam Adani, and 10 Vande Bharatam Winners will be chosen.

What do the winners receive?

Winners receive a share of a multi-crore prize pool, mentorship from the Adani leadership team, business leaders, and domain experts. They also gain access to investors and industry stakeholders, strategic partnership opportunities for market access and growth, and comprehensive incubation support to transform their ideas into scalable ventures. Additionally, winners gain national spotlight and visibility across various media platforms.

Are there any specific industry or stage restrictions?

No, the program explicitly states it is 'Open to all ages & fields' and supports ventures 'From Idea to Scale'. This means there are no restrictions on specific industries, technology readiness levels, or the current stage of the startup (from ideation to having revenue).

Vande Bharatam is a nationwide innovation movement spearheaded by Gautam Adani, envisioned to unearth and empower India's most promising innovators and entrepreneurs. The program focuses on identifying emerging ventures from regions often overlooked by conventional startup ecosystems, providing them with the necessary visibility, support, and momentum to achieve their full potential. This initiative underscores the belief that India's next chapter of growth will be driven by its innovators, fostering a self-reliant and globally impactful 'New India'.

The movement stands on four core pillars: encouraging local ideas with global impact (Be Local, Think Global), discovering talent at its source (Grassroots First), developing solutions tailored for India's unique challenges (Build for Bharat), and contributing to a self-reliant nation (Aatmanirbhar Bharat). It aims to tap into the immense potential present across over 800 districts of India, believing that every idea holds the seed for a stronger future.

More than just a competition, Vande Bharatam is a platform designed to champion ideas and the entrepreneurial spirit, shaping a robust and self-reliant India. It celebrates innovators across all ages and fields, supporting them from the ideation phase through to scaling their ventures. The program also highlights special categories such as Women Entrepreneurs, Tribal Innovators, Rural Changemakers, Sustainable Innovation, and Divyang Entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive growth and recognition for diverse contributions.

The Vande Bharatam selection process begins with an initial screening of all applications received by the deadline. A dedicated selection committee, comprising experts and leaders, evaluates submissions based on criteria such as innovativeness, potential impact, scalability, and alignment with the program's vision. From this pool, 75 National Finalists are carefully chosen. These finalists then advance to a 'Finalist Week' where they undergo intensive mentorship, participate in bootcamps, and refine their presentations. The ultimate selection occurs at the Grand Finale, where the 75 finalists present their ventures in a live pitch to a distinguished jury, including Mr. Gautam Adani. From these pitches, 10 Vande Bharatam Winners are identified and awarded.

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