Samsung Solve for Tomorrow India - AI Living for India
₹50 Lakh Incubation Grant
National innovation competition for Indian youth (14-22) to develop tech solutions for societal challenges, offering grants, mentorship, and incubation.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual and team
Teams of 1 to 3
Duration
Approximately 6 months, culminating in a 2-day grand finale.
Eligibility
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow India competition is open to Indian nationals aged 14 to 22 years. Participants can apply individually or in teams of up to 3 members. Ideas must be original and not have previously received significant funding for the same proposal from other competitions. Parental consent is required for all participants under 18 years of age. Employees of Samsung or its associated agencies are not eligible.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 12
- Age range
- 14 to 22 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Open to Indian residents aged 14-22 years as of the last day of the competition. Participants should have an enthusiasm for solving everyday problems through innovation.
- Prerequisites
- Original idea for a tech-based solution to a societal challenge.
- Basic understanding of STEM concepts and design thinking (training will be provided).
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹50,00,000
The winning teams receive an incubation grant of ₹50,00,000. Other monetary awards include ₹20,00,000 for the top 20 team members (5 top teams from this theme).
Prizes
Samsung Laptops & Smartphones
Top 5 teams receive Samsung ZFlip smartphones. Top 10 teams receive Samsung laptops. Winning team's school or college receives Samsung products such as Smart Display Flip, Freestyle Projector, and Galaxy Tabs/Books.
Certificate
Certificate of Achievement
Certificates of achievement are provided to the top 25 teams, recognizing their participation and progress in this national innovation challenge.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Participation and success in Samsung Solve for Tomorrow demonstrate strong problem-solving skills, innovation, and a commitment to social impact, which are highly valued by top universities and colleges for admissions to STEM and related programs in India and abroad. Incubation support at IIT Delhi further enhances academic profiles.
Career pathways
Winning and finalist teams gain significant exposure to industry leaders and potential investors, enhancing their career prospects in technology, entrepreneurship, and research. The incubation support at FITT, IIT Delhi can lead to the development of viable startups. Participants also receive exclusive mentorship from Samsung leaders, IIT Delhi faculty, and industry experts.
Recognition
National Recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 7 May 2026
- Registration closed
- 3 Jul 2026
- Competition
- 15 Oct 2026 to 16 Oct 2026
Announcement of Top 25 Teams
Shortlisted teams will be notified via email and the official portal by 5:00 PM IST. These teams proceed to the next phase of online training.
Innovation Bootcamp & Pitching for Top 10 teams
Residential bootcamp at IIT Delhi for intensive training, mentorship, and pitching sessions for the top 10 teams.
Announcement of Top 5 Teams
Announcement of the top 5 teams for this team will be done in September. The final presentation and judging rounds for the top 5 teams will take place in Delhi NCR.
Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi
How to apply
- 1Visit the official Samsung Solve for Tomorrow India website.
- 2Select the appropriate track: School Track (14-17 years) or Youth Track (18-22 years).
- 3Fill the online application form with personal, academic, and detailed project information.
- 4Upload all required documents, including proof of age, Indian nationality, and parental consent for minors.
Rules and guidelines
- Each individual or team is allowed to apply for only one theme. Submitting applications for multiple themes may result in disqualification.
- Ideas must be original and not have previously obtained funds/awards for the identical proposal from any agency or through other competitions for more than INR five lakhs.
- Teams failing to attend workshops or pitch events will be disqualified.
- Parental consent is mandatory for participants under 18 years of age.
Technology requirements
- Access to a computer or smartphone with internet connectivity for online training and submissions.
- Basic software for creating presentations and documents.
- Access to prototyping tools and materials will be beneficial, though support and labs are provided at later stages.
About this opportunity
Samsung Solve for Tomorrow India is a flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative by Samsung, designed to empower young Indian innovators aged 14 to 22. This nationwide competition encourages participants to identify and solve pressing societal challenges using Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and design thinking.
The program is a strategic partnership between Samsung India, the United Nations in India, IIT Delhi, the Foundation for Innovation & Technology Transfer (FITT), and the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). It aims to cultivate creative thinking and practical problem-solving skills among students. Participants can apply individually or in teams of up to five members with original concepts that have a social impact.
The competition is structured in multiple elimination stages, including idea submission, online training, video pitches, innovation bootcamps, and a grand finale. Innovation themes often include AI Living for India, Health and Education, Sports and Tech, and environmental sustainability.
The program provides extensive mentorship from industry experts, Samsung leaders, and IIT Delhi faculty, along with access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi and curated visits to Samsung's R&D facilities. It's a completely free-to-enter competition, offering significant grants and recognition to help transform innovative ideas into actionable solutions.
Rounds and format
1. Application & Idea Submission: Ideas submitted in one of four themes. Top 100 teams (25 per theme) selected by FITT - IIT Delhi experts. 2. Top 100 teams: Receive training from FITT - IIT Delhi experts and submit video pitches. Top 40 teams (10 per theme) shortlisted. 3. Innovation Bootcamp & National Pitch Event for Top 40 teams (semi-finalists): Invited to an Innovation Bootcamp, visit Samsung offices, receive hands-on training and access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi. Pitch to a jury panel of Samsung experts. Top 20 teams (5 per theme) selected. 4. Grand Finale for Top 20 teams (finalists): Receive 1-on-1 mentoring from industry experts, IIT Delhi, and Samsung. Access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi. Pitch ideas and prototypes to a grand jury over two days in Delhi NCR. Four winning teams (one from each theme) are announced.
How entries are judged
Ideas are evaluated based on: Innovation and creativity (uniqueness and originality), Impact and Feasibility (potential to solve real-world challenges), Scalability (ability to expand and benefit a larger audience), and Technical and Execution capability (clarity in implementation and development).
Selection process
Initial screening by FITT - IIT Delhi experts based on relevance to a social problem, technical feasibility, market potential, and team competence. Subsequent rounds involve evaluation of video pitches, prototype development, and final pitches to a jury.
How to prepare
- Online training on design thinking provided by FITT - IIT Delhi experts.
- Mentorship sessions from industry experts and Samsung leaders.
- Access to prototyping labs at IIT Delhi.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The program includes comprehensive online training on design thinking methodologies, idea validation, impact projections, prototyping techniques, and fundamental business planning. Mentorship sessions are provided by experts from FITT - IIT Delhi, Samsung, and other industry leaders, guiding participants through each stage of their project development.
Frequently asked questions
How can an idea stand out among thousands of applications?
Focus on a well-defined problem with a clear, innovative, and feasible tech-based solution. The judging criteria emphasize originality, social impact, and scalability, so demonstrating a deep understanding of the problem and a unique approach is key.
What level of technical detail is required in the initial application?
The initial application should clearly explain the concept, its purpose, and its potential impact. While deep technical schematics are not needed at first, the proposal must be technically feasible. The focus is on the innovative idea and its problem-solving potential.
How can participants best prepare for the bootcamp and final pitch stages?
Participants should actively engage in the online training provided, refine their prototype, and practice their presentation skills. Mentorship is a key part of the program, so being prepared with specific questions for mentors helps maximize this benefit.
What are common mistakes that lead to disqualification or poor evaluation?
Common pitfalls include submitting ideas that are not original, failing to clearly articulate the problem and solution, or not adhering to the theme guidelines. In later stages, poor teamwork and an inability to effectively communicate the project's value can hinder progress.
Beyond the grant money, what is the most significant benefit for participants?
The mentorship from industry experts at Samsung and faculty at IIT Delhi is invaluable. This guidance, along with the hands-on experience in prototyping and business planning, provides a significant boost to a student's academic and career profile.
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