📌About the Event

The Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 (SFIC 2026) is a national-level innovation and problem-solving competition launched under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to encourage students, researchers, startups, and young innovators to develop practical solutions to real-world challenges. The initiative focuses on promoting creativity, entrepreneurship, technological innovation, and sustainable development in support of the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.
Participants can work on challenges related to agriculture, healthcare, education, environmental sustainability, public safety, infrastructure, and other national priorities. Promising innovations can receive financial recognition, expert mentorship, prototyping assistance, and opportunities to develop solutions for real-world implementation.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Event Type: National-level Innovation and Problem-Solving Competition
• Mode of Conduct: Hybrid — online registration, idea submission and preliminary screening, followed by mentoring, prototype development and physical demonstrations or showcases for shortlisted participants.
• Location: Multiple regional centres across India, with a national finale planned in New Delhi.
• Objective: Encourage participants to identify real-life challenges and create innovative, affordable, sustainable and scalable solutions.

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📅 Important Dates

• Registration and Submission Start: 25 September 2026
• Registration Deadline: 24 October 2026
• State-Level Screening: From 25 October 2026
• Exhibition and Showcase Period: 30 November – 15 December 2026 (indicative)
• National Finale: 10–17 December 2026

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Junior Level: School students from Classes VI to XII under the national South Zone framework.
• Technical Level: Students enrolled in Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnic institutions.
• Open Level: Undergraduate, postgraduate and research students.
• Other Eligible Participants: Certain regional editions also allow startups, MSMEs, researchers, professionals, independent innovators and organisations.
• Team Participation: Individual or team participation depends on regional rules and the selected challenge.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• National/South Zone Awards
• First Prize: ₹10 lakh
• Second Prize: ₹5 lakh
• Third Prize: ₹3 lakh
• The published award structure applies across the competition’s themes and participation categories.
  Regional Prize Structures
• Northern Region (DTU): ₹2 crore total innovation grants and awards pool.
• Gujarat Zone: ₹1 crore announced prize pool.
• Maharashtra Zone: Up to ₹5 crore in potential implementation work orders across 50 selected winners, with work orders worth up to ₹10 lakh per winner, subject to approvals and due diligence. These are not guaranteed cash prizes.