The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has launched the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA) under the Startup India program. Established in 2019, the NSA aims to recognize startups that demonstrate innovation, social impact, sustainability, and scalability, aligning with the government's vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and a five-trillion-dollar economy. The awards cover diverse sectors including agriculture, clean energy, fintech, aerospace, health, education, cybersecurity, and accessibility, with new categories introduced each year to reflect evolving priorities. The selection process involves a multi-stage evaluation by expert panels comprising industry leaders, investors, academics, and government officials. Recognition through the NSA provides startups with national credibility, facilitating access to partnerships, investors, policy support, global visibility, and mentoring opportunities. Launched in 2016, the Startup India initiative has recognized over 1.75 lakh startups across India, spanning various sectors. Applications for the National Startup Awards 2025 are currently open at https://rb.gy/3bg0yf.
Key Entities Referenced
National Startup Awards: A flagship initiative under the Startup India program that recognizes startups driving innovation, impact, and inclusive growth.
Startup India: A government program launched in 2016 to foster innovation and empower entrepreneurs across India.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade: The department within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry responsible for executing the National Startup Awards and the Startup India program.
Ministry of Commerce and Industry: The government ministry overseeing the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade and responsible for promoting industry and internal trade in India.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Government of India's vision for a self-reliant India.
Innaumation Medical Devices: A past winner of the National Startup Awards recognized for innovation in voice prosthesis.
Blackfrog Technologies: A past winner of the National Startup Awards, whose product Emvolio is a WHO-prequalified vaccine carrier.
Kenya: Country where Blackfrog Technologies' product Emvolio is being used.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Fifth Edition of National Startup Awards Opens for
Applications
Awards to Honour Startups Driving Innovation,
Impact, and Inclusive Growth Across India
Posted On: 14 JUL 2025 6:22PM by PIB Delhi
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
has opened applications for the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA), a flagship initiative under
the Startup India program.
In line with the Government’s vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and the goal of a five-trillion-dollar economy,
Startup India supports startups through initiatives such as startup recognition, tax exemptions, regulatory ease,
funding access, and capacity building.
To celebrate and spotlight high-impact ventures, DPIIT launched the National Startup Awards in 2019. The
awards recognise not just commercial success but also social impact, sustainability, and scalability. The most
recent edition received over 2,300 applications, reflecting the deepening reach and growing reputation of the
initiative.
Startups applying to NSA are evaluated through a rigorous multi-stage process involving eligibility screening,
sectoral shortlisting, and assessment by expert panels comprising industry leaders, investors, academicians,
and government officials. DPIIT leads the execution, with active involvement from concerned ministries and
departments to ensure that winners reflect national priorities and sectoral diversity.NSA covers a wide range of domains including agriculture, clean energy, fintech, aerospace, health,
education, cybersecurity, and accessibility, among others. Each edition introduces new categories to align
with evolving challenges and opportunities.
More than a cash prize, NSA recognition serves as a mark of national credibility, enabling winners to access
partnerships, investors, policy support, global visibility, and mentoring opportunities. Several past winners
have gone on to influence policy, receive major grants, and expand their footprint internationally.
Examples include:
Innaumation Medical Devices: Recognised for innovation in voice prosthesis, later featured in Tata
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Social Enterprise Challenge and international platforms.
Micob: Invited to the ‘President with Startups’ initiative and secured defence orders via iDEX.
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Blackfrog Technologies: Their product Emvolio, a WHO-prequalified vaccine carrier, is now used in 16
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Indian states and in countries like Kenya, Nigeria, and Fiji.
The National Startup Awards 2025 continues to be a vital pillar in India’s innovation journey, recognising
changemakers and helping shape a bold, inclusive, and self-reliant Viksit Bharat.
Applications are open now at: https://rb.gy/3bg0yfLaunched in 2016, Startup India has transformed India’s entrepreneurial landscape, fostering innovation and
empowering youth, women, students, and first-time founders, particularly from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. Over
1.75 lakh startups have been recognised by DPIIT so far, representing nearly every district in India and
spanning diverse sectors including agriculture, health, education, energy, and deep tech.
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Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayanan/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2144614)