The Indian government has launched 15 challenges for Indian MSMEs and Indian startups to solve for a grant of approximately $68,057 (INR 50 lakh). NITI Aayog, government think tank, has announced three challenges each across five ministries, and each challenge will have two winners.
Only projects which are in advanced stages of research and development or have an initial prototype will be announced winners. The grant money will be released in 3 rounds. The challenges are an attempt to promote Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) by the government of India.
Five ministries — the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Defence, and Ministry of Food Processing Industries have announced three challenges each for the sectors that they operate in.
Business Insider quoted R Ramanan, the mission director of the Atal Innovation Mission as saying that the MSME sector is a vibrant sector, it’s one of the fastest growing sectors and it plays a critical role in Atma Nirbhar Bharat which is being envisioned by the honorable PM.
The full list of challenges can be viewed here.
