For Prelims: Startup, DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), Award Name, Launch Year, Nodal Ministry, Nodal Department, Prize per Category
For Mains: Innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, school-level skill development
Source:
Hindustan
5 facts for one-day exams
SSC, railway, police and teaching exams ask direct questions like these.
- National Startup Awards were launched in 2019 by DPIIT.
- DPIIT stands for Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- Each category winner gets ₹25 lakh cash prize.
- There are 20 regional and 3 special categories.
- CBSE students aged 10-18+ years can participate.
Why in the news?
Winners in each of the 20 regional and 3 special categories will receive ₹25 lakh. The initiative aims to promote innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation among students aged 10 and above.
Summary
- National Startup Awards were launched in 2019 by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to recognise impactful startups.
- This edition includes 20 regional award categories and 3 special categories: women-led startups, North-East region startups, and student innovator-entrepreneurs.
- Each category winner gets ₹25 lakh cash prize; women-led startups get priority.
- CBSE students aged 10-14, 14-16, 16-18, and 18+ years can participate in sub-categories.
Highlights
National Startup Awards
Annual awards by DPIIT to recognise innovative and impactful startups, now open to CBSE school students.
₹25 Lakh Cash Prize
Each category winner receives ₹25 lakh, with women-led startups given priority.
Student Participation
CBSE students in four age groups (10-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18+) can compete across sub-categories.
Background
The National Startup Awards were instituted in 2019 by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to recognise and promote startups that demonstrate innovation, employment generation and socio-economic impact. The awards have evolved to include broader participation, now extending to school students through CBSE.
Key Analysis and Impact
By involving CBSE students, the government aims to foster an entrepreneurial mindset from school level. The inclusion of women-led startups and North-East region startups as special categories aligns with inclusive growth objectives. The ₹25 lakh prize per category is a significant incentive for young innovators.
Background GK
Textbook concepts you need to understand this news
- Startup
- A newly established business, typically in the early stages of operation, focused on innovation, scalability and solving a specific problem. In India, a startup is recognised by DPIIT under the Startup India initiative.
- DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade)
- A department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, responsible for promoting industrial growth, trade and startup ecosystem in India.
- CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
- A national-level board of education in India, under the Ministry of Education, that affiliates schools across the country.
Facts to remember
Tap a card to see the answer. Try to recall it first.
How exams will ask this
- Data: National Startup Awards launched in 2019, prize ₹25 lakh per category, 20 regional + 3 special categories
- Nodal Body: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry
Don't make this mistake!
Examiners may confuse the National Startup Awards with the Startup India initiative (launched 2016) or mix up the nodal ministry (Ministry of Commerce and Industry vs Ministry of Education). Also, the prize is ₹25 lakh per category, not ₹25 lakh total.
Write these in mains answers
- Innovation ecosystem, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth, school-level skill development
Stuck? Get it in one tap
The National Startup Awards are given by the Indian government to recognise new businesses that are innovative and create jobs. Now, CBSE school students can also take part. Winners in each category get ₹25 lakh. Students from age 10 to 18 and above can join, and women-led startups get priority.
- National Startup Awards were launched in 2019 by DPIIT.
- DPIIT stands for Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
- Each category winner gets ₹25 lakh cash prize.
- There are 20 regional and 3 special categories.
- CBSE students aged 10-18+ years can participate.
- Economy: Startup ecosystem and government initiatives
- Education: Skill development and entrepreneurship education
Related concepts: Startup, DPIIT (Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade), CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education)
Practice questions
Pick an answer, then read the explanation.
- Q1Easy
Which department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the National Startup Awards?
Explanation: DPIIT, under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched the National Startup Awards in 2019. The Ministry of Finance handles taxation and budget; Ministry of Education handles school and higher education; NITI Aayog is a policy think tank.
- Q2Hard
Consider the following statements regarding the National Startup Awards:
- 1.The awards were launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
- 2.Each category winner receives a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
- 3.Only CBSE students aged 16-18 years are eligible to participate.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct: DPIIT under Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the awards in 2019. Statement 2 is correct: each category winner gets ₹25 lakh cash prize. Statement 3 is incorrect: students in four age groups (10-14, 14-16, 16-18, 18+) can participate, not just 16-18.
- Q3Medium
What is the cash prize awarded to each category winner of the National Startup Awards?
Explanation: Each category winner receives ₹25 lakh cash prize.
- Q4Medium
What is the primary objective of including student categories in the National Startup Awards?
Explanation: The awards aim to foster an entrepreneurial mindset, innovation and job creation from school level. Revenue generation, replacing admissions, and direct cash distribution are not objectives of this award scheme.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the National Startup Awards?
The National Startup Awards are annual awards by DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched in 2019, to recognise innovative and impactful startups in India.
2. How much is the prize money for each category winner?
Each category winner receives a cash prize of ₹25 lakh.
3. Which age groups of CBSE students can participate?
Students aged 10-14, 14-16, 16-18, and 18 years and above can participate in different sub-categories.
4. What are the special categories in the National Startup Awards?
The three special categories are women-led startups, North-East region startups, and student innovator-entrepreneurs.
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- Original7 November 2026 · Read story
