National Startup Awards 6.0 launched by DPIIT under Startup India
Why in the news
On 27 October 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) opened the sixth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA 6.0) under the Startup India initiative.
Key facts
- Categories: 20 regional categories (12 of them new) and 3 special categories.
- New regional categories include bio-manufacturing, defence and security, ocean and blue economy, space-tech, drones and aerospace, and telecom and digital infrastructure.
- Special categories: women-led startups, North-East region startups, and a new award for student innovators and aspiring entrepreneurs.
- The student award is open to school and college students in all 36 States and Union Territories.
- Prize money: ₹25 lakh per category for the 20 regional winners and the two startup special categories; the student award has a total pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories.
- Applications: 27 October to 20 November 2026 on the Startup India portal (startupindia.gov.in).
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Edition | Sixth (NSA 6.0) |
| Regional categories | 20 (12 new) |
| Special categories | 3 |
| Prize per category | ₹25 lakh |
| Last date | 20 November 2026 |
About National Startup Awards
The awards were set up in 2019 and are run by DPIIT, which works under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Besides cash, winners get support in mentorship, investor links, market access and industry partnerships. Startup India itself was launched in January 2016, so 2026 is its tenth year.
Exam angle
- DPIIT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, runs the awards under the Startup India initiative.
- Note the numbers: 20 regional, 3 special categories, ₹25 lakh prize.
- The student innovator award is the newest special category.