National Startup Awards 6.0 (NSA 6.0)
Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
📌 About the Event
The National Startup Awards 6.0 (NSA 6.0) is a flagship initiative by Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Government of India. It recognises startups developing innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions across 20 sectoral categories and three special award categories. The awards aim to promote entrepreneurship, sustainability, technological innovation, and social impact in India’s startup ecosystem.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Organising Body: Startup India, DPIIT, Government of India.
- Category: National Startup Awards, Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Business.
- Mode of Conduct: Online application and evaluation process, including a pitching event for shortlisted finalists.
- Award Categories: 20 sectoral categories and three special award categories.
- Key Focus Areas: Agriculture, healthcare, education, fintech, deep tech, climate tech, space tech, and other emerging sectors.
📅 Important Dates
- Application Start Date: 27 October 2026.
- Application Deadline: 20 November 2026.
- Winner Announcement: Scheduled for 16 January 2027
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Applicants must have valid DPIIT recognition and meet the applicable Startup India guidelines.
- Startups must generally not have completed 10 years from incorporation by the application deadline.
- Required financial statements and supporting documents must be submitted, subject to applicable exemptions.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Sectoral Award Winners: ₹25 lakh for the winner in each of the 20 categories.
- Women-Led Startup of the Year: ₹25 lakh.
- North-East Startup Excellence Award: ₹25 lakh.
- Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award: ₹25 lakh total prize pool across four subcategories.