National Startup Awards

National Startup Awards is a prestigious initiative by Startup India that recognizes and rewards exceptional startups and ecosystem enablers across India. The fifth edition of National Startup Awards 5.0 was launched by DPIIT in July 2025, offering winners a cash reward of ₹10 lakh per category along with mentorship, investor connections, and government pilot opportunities.

National Startup Awards 5.0 - Introduction

National Startup Awards by Startup India serves as a platform to honour outstanding startups and ecosystem enablers who build innovative products or scalable enterprises. Guided by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, this scheme helps entities gain visibility, secure financing, and build valuable partnerships. It aims to encourage entrepreneurs to foster socio-economic impact across the nation.

First launched in 2019, National Startup Awards recognizes ventures that show high potential for employment generation, wealth creation, and measurable social impact. The fifth edition received over 2,300 applications, reflecting the deepening reach and growing reputation of the initiative. By participating, you join a community of role models who inspire budding entrepreneurs to build responsible and purpose-driven businesses.

Categories of Award

Rules to follow:

1. Participation in National Startup Awards is entirely voluntary.
2. If your startup has already won in any previous edition, you cannot apply again. However, previous finalists should consider applying.
3. You should fill your application form exclusively in English.
4. You can nominate your startup in a maximum of 2 categories.
5. Finalists might undergo a legal due diligence review. Choosing not to participate in this process may lead to your disqualification.
6. By applying, you consent to the use of your name, website URL, photos, and videos for promotional purposes by the government.
7. Any false information regarding your identity or business details will result in immediate removal from the competition.
8. The jury's decision is final and binding for all participants.
9. All supporting agencies and jurors will sign a non-disclosure agreement to secure your data.
10. DPIIT retains the right to modify or cancel the awards at its discretion.
11. Please note that travel or presentation allowances for sessions before the jury are not provided.

Key Information

Benefits

When you win National Startup Awards, you receive several advantages to scale your venture:

• A cash prize of ₹10 lakh for the winning startup in each general category.
• Access to present your innovative solutions to public authorities and top corporates, opening doors for potential pilot projects and work orders.
• Priority status for participation in national and global startup events facilitated by DPIIT.
• Exclusive handholding support including investor connects, market access opportunities, and mentoring.

Eligibility

To participate, you must meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. You should hold a valid DPIIT recognition certificate and be registered with BHASKAR at the time of application.
2. You must provide your Certificate of Incorporation or Registration from the relevant authority.
3. Your entity must offer a hardware or software product or a process solution currently active in the market.
4. You must maintain all trade-specific registrations, such as FSSAI, MSME, or GST.
5. Your entity and promoters should have a clean record with no defaults for the last three financial years (FY 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25).
6. You should submit audited financial statements for the last three years. If you are a new startup (less than a year old), you are exempt from this requirement. In case of non-availability of audited financials for FY 2024-25, provisional statements issued by a Chartered Accountant may be provided.
7. Your Startup must not have completed 10 years of incorporation by the last date of submission of applications.

Application Process

Application Steps

You can complete the online application process by following these simple steps:

STEP 1 - Visit the official Startup India portal and make sure your startup is recognized by DPIIT. If it is already registered, check that your details are accurate as certain fields will auto-populate in the application form.

STEP 2 - Navigate to the National Startup Awards tab on the Startup India Website.

STEP 3 - Click on the option to apply for National Startup Awards 5.0.

STEP 4 - Log in to your registered account and select the specific category under which you wish to apply. You can only fill the form through the registered account of the recognized startup on the Startup India portal.

STEP 5 - Check the auto-populated details in the participation form for National Startup Awards.

STEP 6 - Fill in the required details as mentioned in the application form.

STEP 7 - Prepare all your documentation and upload them as instructed.

STEP 8 - Make sure that all the uploads required comply with the size requirement as mentioned on the portal.

STEP 9 - Click on the submit button to finalize your application.

Documents

Ensure you have the following documents ready for your application:

1. Certificate of Recognition issued by DPIIT.
2. Certificate of Incorporation or Certificate from the Registrar of Firms.
3. Memorandum of Association, Partnership deed or other government accepted proof as proof for a woman founder (if applicable).
4. PAN card for founder/co-founder.
5. Aadhar card for founder/co-founder.
6. Startup Pitch Deck (not more than 10 slides).
7. Trade specific registrations.
8. Proof of Patent, IPR (if applicable).
9. Audited financial statements for the past 3 years (Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Income Tax Return) or Provisional financial statements issued by a Chartered Accountant.
10. Relevant documents, MOUs or agreements that would make your application stand out.
11. 120 seconds video explaining your product or service (this video cannot be a YouTube link; it has to be made for application to National Startup Awards). The video should cover business model, scalability, innovation, social & economic impact.
12. Self-attested documents with proof of active users, number of employees hired, R&D and prototype development, proof of funding raised, proof of TRL level of startup (if applicable).

References

• Guidelines for NSA 5.0
• Startup India Official Website - National Startup Awards

FAQ's

What are the National Startup Awards 5.0?

These awards recognize and reward startups that have built innovative, scalable, and impactful solutions across 20 different categories under the fifth edition of the program.

Who can apply for National Startup Awards?

Only DPIIT-recognized startups and stakeholders registered under Bharat Registry are eligible to apply.

How do I get my startup recognized by DPIIT?

DPIIT recognition is a simple online process. You can apply for it at the Startup India portal by verifying your incorporation and providing the necessary support documents.

Is there a caste-related eligibility criteria?

No, there are no caste-based criteria for this scheme.

Can I fill in the form in a language other than English?

No, you should fill in all application forms in English only.

How many categories can I apply for?

You can apply for a maximum of 2 categories depending on your business fit.

How many winners are chosen per category?

Only one winning startup is selected for each category.

What is the reward for the winners?

Winners receive a cash prize of ₹10 lakh, along with opportunities for mentorship, investor connects, and government pilot projects.

Can past winners apply again?

Startups that have won in earlier editions are not eligible, but previous finalists are welcome to apply again.