📌About the Event

Zero Prize 2026 is a national results-based environmental innovation challenge organised by the School of Policy & Governance (SPG). The initiative aims to identify, support, and reward innovators who develop scalable solutions to reduce air, water, and land pollution in India. Unlike traditional competitions that focus on ideas or proposals, Zero Prize focuses on measurable, independently verified environmental impact.

The challenge brings together startups, researchers, innovators, institutions, civic organisations, and youth groups to create real-world solutions that can contribute towards building a cleaner and more sustainable India.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Organised By: School of Policy & Governance (SPG).
• Mode of Conduct: Online application-based challenge followed by technical evaluation, pilot implementation, and independent impact verification.
• Challenge Areas:
• Air pollution reduction
• Water pollution management
• Land and waste pollution solutions
• Competition Format:
• Participants submit their environmental solutions through the official application process.
• Shortlisted solutions undergo evaluation and may be required to demonstrate real-world implementation.
• Winning solutions are selected based on verified environmental outcomes.

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📅 Important Dates

• Application Deadline: August 2026.
• Implementation & Verification Phase: After shortlisting, selected solutions undergo pilot execution and third-party validation.
• Winner Announcement: February 2027.

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Startups
• Entrepreneurs
• Research institutions
• Universities and technical institutions
• NGOs and community organisations
• Civic bodies and government-linked organisations
• Individual innovators and youth groups
• Applicants must have solutions capable of creating measurable environmental impact.
• Participation Rules:
• Solutions must focus on reducing pollution in real-world environments.
• Early-stage ideas without measurable implementation outcomes may not qualify.
• Participants must provide evidence of impact through defined measurement frameworks.
• Solutions should demonstrate scalability and long-term sustainability.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• Total Prize Pool: ₹5 Crore national innovation challenge.
• Prize Categories:
• Air Quality Challenge – ₹1 Crore reward for verified reduction in air pollution impact.
• Water Pollution Challenge – ₹1 Crore reward for measurable improvement in water quality.
• Land Pollution Challenge – ₹1 Crore reward for effective waste and land pollution reduction.
• Additional Benefits:
• Funding support for impactful solutions.
• National recognition and visibility.
• Mentorship opportunities.
• Industry and ecosystem partnerships.
• Potential pathways for large-scale adoption.