Union Minister for Education Shri Pralhad Joshi will inaugurate the Seva First Innovation Challenge at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. The initiative aims to encourage young people to identify community problems and develop testable solutions that can be improved and implemented. The challenge covers five southern states (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Keralam, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana) and three union territories (Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry).
Participation is open to young participants from schools, Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), polytechnics, colleges, and universities through three levels: Junior (class 6-12 students identifying local problems with simple solutions), Technical (ITI and polytechnic students focusing on engineering, fabrication, electronics, and process solutions), and Open (undergraduate, postgraduate, and research scholars demonstrating prototypes with deployment pathways).
The challenge focuses on five national themes: Clean and Sustainable Bharat, Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous Bharat, Healthy and Inclusive Bharat, Educated and Skilled Bharat, and Secure Bharat. Registration opens from September 25 to October 24, 2026, culminating in a National Finale in New Delhi from December 10 to 17, 2026.
Participants will receive academic and industry mentorship, laboratory access, fabrication facilities, testing support, incubation, seed and pilot funding, field-testing opportunities, and intellectual property protection guidance. Promising solutions may be connected with Ministries, State Governments, urban and rural local bodies, public sector undertakings, and industry for potential adoption.
The challenge is jointly organized by the Union Education Ministry, All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), University Grants Commission (UGC), with IISc Bengaluru serving as the nodal institute, aiming to foster community-rooted innovation and contribute to the Viksit Bharat @ 2047 vision.