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NIDHI PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring innovators & Startups)

Up to ₹40 lakh total PRAYAS grant support per innovator/startup under the 2.0 framework, including any support already received under PRAYAS 1.0 · Department of Science & Technology (DST), NIDHI programme, Government of India

DST program providing grant support to individual innovators to convert an idea into a proof-of-concept/prototype before incorporation, delivered through PRAYAS centres (incubators) with prototyping labs. Current lifecycle: upcoming. Real economics: Up to ₹40 lakh total PRAYAS grant support per innovator/startup under the 2.0 framework, including any support already received under PRAYAS 1.0.

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Key facts

FunderDepartment of Science & Technology (DST), NIDHI programme, Government of India
AmountUp to ₹40 lakh total PRAYAS grant support per innovator/startup under the 2.0 framework, including any support already received under PRAYAS 1.0
Decision timeNo universal centre-to-award decision time is published.
EligibilityAn Indian innovator or qualifying young Indian-controlled startup must own the IP, be at pre-MVP stage, avoid duplicate public funding for the same work, and work through an approved PRAYAS centre.
RestrictionsCentre agreements use milestones, expenditure evidence and prototype progress; the total support cap aggregates prior PRAYAS support. Pre-MVP prototype development only; parallel NIDHI-EIR for the same idea and duplicate government support are restricted.
Statusunknown

Always confirm on the official page before applying — dates and terms change.

Application process

  1. Monitor and apply to an approved PRAYAS centre
  2. Submit innovator, IP, novelty, prototype and budget evidence
  3. Complete centre screening and expert evaluation
  4. Sign centre-specific grant and milestone terms
  5. Develop and validate the prototype using PRAYAS facilities

Background

Department of Science & Technology (DST), NIDHI programme, Government of India operates NIDHI PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring innovators & Startups). This pass separates direct cash, repayable finance, credits, incentives and umbrella programs so later ranking does not compare unlike instruments. The March 2026 PRAYAS 2.0 guidelines increase and consolidate the support framework to a ₹40 lakh lifetime program cap The Department of Science and Technology continues to deliver PRAYAS through a national centre network

How the application really works

Monitor and apply to an approved PRAYAS centre → Submit innovator, IP, novelty, prototype and budget evidence → Complete centre screening and expert evaluation → Sign centre-specific grant and milestone terms → Develop and validate the prototype using PRAYAS facilities

Tips

Watch out for

Track record

No current consolidated application or award denominator is published.

Frequently asked questions

Is this actionable now?
upcoming. NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 guidelines were issued in 2026 and support is delivered through PRAYAS centres; no single national founder deadline was verified, so applicants must monitor centre calls and the official portal.
What is the real economic value?
Up to ₹40 lakh total PRAYAS grant support per innovator/startup under the 2.0 framework, including any support already received under PRAYAS 1.0
Who is eligible?
An Indian innovator or qualifying young Indian-controlled startup must own the IP, be at pre-MVP stage, avoid duplicate public funding for the same work, and work through an approved PRAYAS centre.
How does selection work?
Monitor and apply to an approved PRAYAS centre; Submit innovator, IP, novelty, prototype and budget evidence; Complete centre screening and expert evaluation; Sign centre-specific grant and milestone terms; Develop and validate the prototype using PRAYAS facilities. No universal centre-to-award decision time is published.
What burden and restrictions apply?
Centre agreements use milestones, expenditure evidence and prototype progress; the total support cap aggregates prior PRAYAS support. Pre-MVP prototype development only; parallel NIDHI-EIR for the same idea and duplicate government support are restricted.
What evidence exists?
The March 2026 PRAYAS 2.0 guidelines increase and consolidate the support framework to a ₹40 lakh lifetime program cap The Department of Science and Technology continues to deliver PRAYAS through a national centre network No current consolidated application or award denominator is published.

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