The National Startup Awards 6.0 application window runs from 27 October to 20 November 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) announced at the awards’ curtain-raiser in New Delhi. Founders should note the 20 November 2026 deadline — and the bigger policy signal that came with the launch.
Eligibility
The awards span 20 sectoral categories and three special award categories, covering sectors such as semiconductors, biomanufacturing and space technology. A Student Innovator Award carries a ₹25 lakh prize pool divided among four sub-categories. Founders should check the official Startup India awards announcement for category-wise eligibility before applying, since categories and criteria differ by sector.
How to apply
Applications are open through the official Startup India awards channel for the window ending 20 November 2026. Prepare a crisp entry: what you built, what traction it has, and which category it fits — awards juries reward clarity over length.
The procurement push behind the awards
At the same event, DPIIT Secretary Amardeep Singh Bhatia said the government is working to use procurement to promote startups, giving them early access to demand, and called for more private initiatives to bring startups into supply chains. Additional Secretary Ateesh Kumar Singh said relaxations to the General Financial Rules and agency circulars already exist, but uptake remains the challenge, and a new framework is being developed with the departments of Finance, Public Enterprises and MSME. The launch marks ten years since Startup India began in January 2016.
Why it matters for founders
For founders, awards are not vanity — a National Startup Award is a procurement calling card. With DPIIT explicitly working on government demand for startups, a credible award entry doubles as a foot in the door with public buyers.