The registration deadline for the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 has been extended to November 6, 2026. Students who have not yet submitted their ideas will now get additional time to participate in the challenge. The initiative invites students to develop solutions to problems faced by local communities.The challenge is open to school students, Industrial Training Institute (ITI) and polytechnic trainees, college students and research scholars across southern India. Interested candidates can participate through their respective institutions by visiting the official portal at sevafirst.mic.gov.in.Launched on September 25 under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, the initiative aims to identify innovative ideas that can be tested and used to solve real-life problems. Selected participants may also receive expert guidance, laboratory access, incubation support and opportunities to work with government bodies and industries.The participating regions include Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026: Who can participate?
Students from schools, ITIs, polytechnics, colleges and universities in the participating regions are eligible to take part. The challenge has three participation levels:
- Junior: School students up to Class 12.
- Technical: Students enrolled in ITIs and polytechnics.
- Open: Undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with research scholars.
The requirements for each level are different. School students can submit an explanation of a local problem along with a proposed solution. A working prototype is encouraged but is not compulsory.Technical-level participants are expected to present a working prototype for technology-based ideas or a costed and field-tested model for service and governance solutions.Open-level participants must demonstrate a prototype or pilot and explain how their ideas can be implemented.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026: Five themes
Students can submit their ideas under any of the following five themes:
- Swachh and Sustainable Bharat: Water management, waste management, energy efficiency and environmental protection.
- Samriddh Annadata, Samriddh Bharat: Agriculture, rural innovation, livelihoods and local businesses.
- Swasth and Samavesh Bharat: Healthcare, well-being, accessibility and inclusion.
- Shikshit and Kaushal Bharat: Education, skill development, learning technologies and sports.
- Surakshit Bharat: Manufacturing, transport, infrastructure, safety and digital public services.
Students should select the theme that best matches the problem they want to address.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026: Two innovation tracks
Participants can submit their ideas under either of the following two tracks:
- Track A: Product or Technology: This category includes devices, prototypes, materials, software, engineering solutions and other technologies that can be developed and used.
- Track B: Business Model or Governance: This category covers new ways to deliver services, improve public administration, organise community services and develop better financing models.
Entries under both tracks will be assessed on factors such as the clarity of the problem, originality, feasibility, cost, impact on people and scope for wider use.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026: How to participate?
The challenge follows an institution-based registration process. Individual students cannot register directly on the portal. Schools, ITIs, polytechnics and higher education institutions must nominate a coordinator to manage the submissions.The nominated coordinator can follow these steps:
- Visit the official website at sevafirst.mic.gov.in.
- Select the institution registration option.
- Enter the institution’s details, including its type, identification number and location.
- Provide the nominated coordinator’s details and official email address.
- Verify the account using the code sent to the registered email address.
- Log in to the institution’s account.
- Enter the details of the student or team and its proposed solution.
- Select the participation level, theme and innovation track.
- Review the entry and submit it before November 6, 2026.
Students should contact their respective institutions to complete the registration process within the extended deadline.
Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026: Prize money and support
The challenge offers cash prizes across five themes and three participant categories: school, ITI/polytechnic and university/college.The prize amounts are as follows:
- First prize: Rs 10 lakh
- Second prize: Rs 5 lakh
- Third prize: Rs 3 lakh
Apart from the cash prizes, shortlisted participants may receive expert mentorship, access to laboratories and fabrication facilities, incubation support and opportunities to test their ideas through pilot projects.The programme also aims to connect selected innovations with government institutions, local bodies and industries for possible implementation.
