NIF's National Biennial Competition for Green Grassroots Innovations
by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India
₹50,000 Cash Award
A national competition by the National Innovation Foundation rewarding unaided green technological innovations from grassroots innovators and students.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 to 10
Duration
The competition is held biennially (once every two years).
Time needed
Depends on the time taken to make the entry
Eligibility
Open to all Indian citizens, including students up to Class 12. No formal education is required. The innovation must be original and developed without any institutional support. Professionals with advanced technical degrees are not eligible.
- Grade level
- Grade 1 to 12
- Age range
- 6 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- No formal educational qualification is required. Open to all, but individuals with professional degrees (like B.Tech, MBBS) or those in formal R&D roles are generally not eligible. Students up to class 12 are strongly encouraged to apply.
- Prerequisites
- The innovation must be unaided and developed without any support from formal institutions.
- The idea or innovation should be an outcome of the participant's own creativity and effort.
- Entries from professionals with postgraduate degrees or those in formal R&D roles are not accepted.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹50,000
Cash awards are given to the winners at different levels. The highest award amount can go up to ₹50,000.
Certificate
National Recognition Certificate
A certificate of recognition is awarded to selected innovators, acknowledging their contribution to grassroots innovation.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
National-level recognition from a Government of India body can significantly strengthen applications for higher education in science, technology, and engineering streams at leading Indian universities.
Career pathways
Provides a platform for potential entrepreneurship and establishing a startup based on the innovation, with support for business incubation and commercialization from NIF.
Recognition
National Recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 1 Apr 2025
- Registration closes
- 31 Mar 2027
- Competition
- 1 Apr 2027 to 30 Nov 2027
National Innovation Foundation - India (Postal Submissions), Gandhinagar, Gujarat
How to apply
- 1Entries can be submitted online via the NIF website or sent by post to the National Innovation Foundation's address in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.
- 2Submissions must include technical details of the innovation, sketches or photos, the story behind the idea, and the innovator's personal and contact details.
Rules and guidelines
- The submitted innovation must be original and not copied from any other source.
- The work must be unaided and developed without technical or financial support from any formal institution.
- Participants can submit multiple entries for different innovations.
- A copy of a valid government-issued ID proof is required with the submission.
Technology requirements
- A computer or smartphone with an internet connection for online submission.
- Digital camera or phone to take photos/videos of the innovation.
About this opportunity
The National Biennial Competition is a flagship initiative by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) to scout and reward unaided technological innovations. It aims to foster a culture of creativity and problem-solving by recognizing solutions from the nation's grassroots.
This competition is open to all Indian citizens, including students up to class 12, with no formal educational qualifications required. Winners receive national recognition, cash awards, and support for patenting and commercializing their inventions.
Rounds and format
Round 1: Initial screening of all submitted entries based on novelty, utility, and social impact. Round 2: Detailed evaluation of shortlisted innovations by an expert committee, which may include field verification and interviews with the innovators.
How entries are judged
Innovations are judged on criteria such as novelty, creativity, social impact, cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and potential for scalability. Emphasis is placed on solutions for persistent local problems developed without formal support.
Selection process
Selection is based on a multi-stage review process. An independent team of experts and collaborators from the Honey Bee Network screen and evaluate the entries. The final winners are chosen after thorough validation of the innovations.
How to prepare
- Innovators are encouraged to review past award-winning innovations on the NIF website for inspiration and understanding.
- It is recommended to conduct a prior art search to ensure the novelty of the idea before submission.
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
Focuses on practical application of scientific and technological principles to address real-world challenges, encouraging innovative solutions beyond traditional academic curricula.
Frequently asked questions
What are the common mistakes applicants make in their submissions?
Common mistakes include providing insufficient technical details, unclear photos or sketches, and not explaining the social impact or the problem the innovation solves. A well-documented entry with a clear story has a better chance.
How can a participant ensure their innovation is novel?
Applicants are encouraged to conduct basic research online and in their local markets to see if similar solutions already exist. The focus is on unaided, original ideas that offer a unique approach to solving a problem.
What level of prototype is expected for a submission?
A fully functional prototype is not mandatory. Early-stage prototypes, detailed drawings, or even well-defined concepts for solving persistent societal problems are also accepted and evaluated.
How does NIF support innovators after the competition?
Beyond cash prizes, NIF provides awardees with comprehensive support for product development, business incubation, securing patents and other IPR, and commercialization to help scale the innovation.
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