15th National Biennial Campaign for Green Grassroots unaided Technological Innovations, Ideas and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge is now open for entries from Indian citizens, and the last date to submit is March 31, 2027. National Innovation Foundation (NIF), India, runs this campaign to help creative people develop original unaided solutions for agriculture, health, energy, household utilities, transportation and livestock, all without any outside technical support.
National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards honor creative Indian citizens who develop original, unaided technological solutions or preserve traditional knowledge to address social, agricultural, and environmental challenges. The scheme encourages grassroots talent by providing financial recognition and respect to individuals whose work promotes sustainable, low-cost green technology or indigenous remedies. People from all walks of life including school dropouts, students, ITI and polytechnic diploma holders, and retired individuals without a science or technology background can apply, provided they meet the criteria listed below.
National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards
This campaign by NIF, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, recognizes achievement across six distinct categories. The awards are for individual innovators and groups who have developed original ideas or techniques without external technical help. Creative ideas for innovative technologies that solve persistent societal problems are welcome even if they have not yet been turned into working prototypes.
The 15th competition cycle is the current edition, replacing the earlier 14th. Entries for this cycle are being accepted with a firm deadline of March 31, 2027. NIF also accepts entries by email at campaign@nifindia.org and by post at Grambharti, Amrapur, Gandhinagar-Mahudi Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382650, in addition to online submission through the awards portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Individual & Group |
| Beneficiary States | All |
| Category | Science, IT & Communications |
| Target Beneficiaries | Individual |
| Sub Category | Research & Development |
| Benefit Type | Composite |
| DBT Scheme | No |
| Nodal Ministry | Ministry of Science and Technology |
| Nodal Department | Department of Science & Technology |
| Implementing Agency | National Innovation Foundation (NIF) |
| Last Date | March 31, 2027 |
Outstanding innovators also get a trophy and a certificate of merit for their exceptional contribution.
Outstanding innovators receive recognition through the following award tiers:
| Award Category | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Life Time Achievement Award | ₹7,50,000 |
| National First Award | ₹5,00,000 |
| National Second Award | ₹3,00,000 |
| National Third Award | ₹1,00,000 |
| State Award | ₹50,000 |
| Consolation Award | ₹10,000 |
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply if you fall into any of the following categories:
- Uneducated individuals or school dropouts.
- Students studying up to class 12, or those who have left school and are aged between 17 and 18 years.
- Students currently pursuing ITI or Polytechnic diplomas.
- Individual innovators without formal education or technical training in science and technology.
- Individuals working in formal institutions who do not perform scientific, technical, or R&D duties.
- Retired individuals who possess no science or technology education and no prior professional experience in R&D activities.
Exclusions
You are not eligible if you belong to these groups:
- Students enrolled in professional degree courses like engineering, medicine, or pharmacy.
- Professionals working within scientific, technical, or R&D departments in any institution.
- Self-employed, highly qualified professionals or independent consultants in technical fields.
- Retired individuals who carried out professional research or technical work during their careers.
Application Process
STEP 1 - Go to the official NIF biennial campaign page at nif.org.in/biennial_campaign and review the 15th National Biennial Campaign details for Green Grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge.
STEP 2 - Prepare all required documents including your Aadhaar card copy, passport-sized photograph, proof of age, address proof, educational qualification certificates, and a detailed report of your work from the last three years.
STEP 3 - Submit your entry either through email to campaign@nifindia.org or by post to the NIF office at Grambharti, Amrapur, Gandhinagar-Mahudi Road, Gandhinagar, Gujarat-382650. You can also register and apply online through the registration page at awards.gov.in and log in via the applicant login page at awards.gov.in.
STEP 4 - If you are working within an institution or organization, you must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from your office confirming the innovation is your original work and that the office has no objection to you receiving support from NIF.
STEP 5 - After submitting your entry, NIF will scrutinize it for eligibility and completeness of information. Those found eligible but with incomplete details will be asked to provide complete technical details, along with photographs and videos wherever available. Only novel and unique innovations will be taken forward for value addition, validation, user feedback, IPR protection, and other forms of incubation support.
Documents
Make sure you have the following documents ready for your application:
- Aadhaar Card copy.
- Your recent passport-sized photograph.
- Valid proof of age.
- Current address proof.
- Educational qualification certificates.
- Professional experience certificates, if applicable.
- Detailed report of your work from the last three years.
- Records of any previous awards or honors received.
You can find the full campaign guidelines on the NIF biennial campaign page and general information about the awards on the official awards portal at awards.gov.in.
FAQ's
What are the primary objectives of National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards?
The objective is to award individual creativity that operates without external technical support. This scheme looks for original ideas and techniques that resolve everyday societal problems, even if they have not yet reached the prototype stage.
Who organizes these awards?
The National Innovation Foundation (NIF), an autonomous body operating under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, conducts these awards.
What is the purpose of these awards?
These awards seek to acknowledge and honor innovators and practitioners who have made significant, independent contributions to indigenous knowledge and grassroots innovation.
Which sectors are covered under this scheme?
Awards cover sectors like agriculture, health, energy, engineering, and many other fields where sustainable traditional knowledge or grassroots innovation shines.
How does this scheme help indigenous cultures?
By rewarding outstanding traditional practices, this scheme plays a very important role in preserving, documenting, and promoting indigenous traditions, ensuring their survival for future generations.
Who qualifies for these benefits?
Eligibility is broad, covering school dropouts, students, individual innovators without technical training, and retired individuals who lack professional scientific backgrounds.
What is the process to apply?
You can submit your entry by email to campaign@nifindia.org, by post to the NIF office, or register and apply online through the official awards portal at awards.gov.in.
Can groups apply, or only individuals?
Both individuals and groups are eligible to apply, provided they meet the background criteria. Groups seeking incubation support from NIF while working within an institution must submit a No Objection Certificate from their office.
How should individuals submit their entries?
Visit the NIF biennial campaign page at nif.org.in/biennial_campaign for the full campaign guidelines, or register on the official awards portal at awards.gov.in for online submission.
What specific documents must I provide?
You need to provide your Aadhaar card, photograph, proof of age/address, academic marksheet, details of your three-year work history, and any records of previous awards or honors.
When is the last date to submit entries for the current competition?
The last date for receiving entries for the 15th National Biennial Campaign is March 31, 2027.