Youth Ideathon by Think Startup
₹1,00,000 Incubation Grant
3,00,000 participants
Youth Ideathon, by Think Startup & MEPSC with CBSE, is India’s largest school innovation and entrepreneurship contest. It inspires students to create solutions for real-world challenges, fostering problem-solving and entrepreneurial skills.
Mode
Hybrid
Fee
Free
Participation format
Team
Teams of 3 to 5
Duration
Multi-stage competition culminating in a grand finale
Eligibility
Open to all school students in India from Class 8 to Class 12. Participants must form teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. No prior entrepreneurial experience is required.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 12
- Age range
- 13 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Currently enrolled in a school in India
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹1,00,000 Grant
The top teams receive a progress-based incubation grant of up to ₹100,000 each to transform their ideas into real-time solutions. Additionally, the top 500 teams receive a cash grant of ₹1,000 for prototype development.
Prizes
Trophies for Schools
Special awards and trophies are given to schools that demonstrate high levels of participation and foster an environment of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Certificate
Certificate by CBSE & MEPSC
Certificates are provided to all participants in the Top 1500, Top 500, Top 100, and Top 3 teams, recognized by Think Startup, Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), and the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE).
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Participation and recognition in this national competition, with opportunities to present at prestigious institutions like IIT Delhi, can significantly enhance college applications for STEM and business programs.
Career pathways
Provides a strong foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures and careers in innovation and business by building practical skills and offering mentorship from industry experts.
Recognition
National Recognition (CBSE)
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration opened
- 24 Jul 2026
- Registration closed
- 30 Sept 2026
- Competition
- 17 Nov 2026 to 15 Dec 2026
- Results
- 15 Dec 2026
Registration Opens
The official start date for online registrations and idea submissions.
Idea Submission Deadline
Last day to submit your innovative startup idea through the Youth Ideathon online portal.
Round 1 Results (Top 2000 Announced)
Announcement of the top 1000 school teams and top 1000 college teams qualifying for the next round.
Video Pitch Submission Deadline
Deadline to submit your startup video pitch after qualifying Round 1.
Round 2 Results (Top 600 Announced)
Announcement of the top 300 school teams and top 300 college teams qualifying for the regional championships.
Regional Championships Start
Commencement of in-person regional championship events across various assigned regional cities.
Regional Championships End
Conclusion of all regional championship events.
Round 3 Results (Top 100 Announced)
Announcement of the top 50 school teams and top 50 college teams qualifying for the National Finale.
National Grand Finale
The final event where the top teams present their ideas at IIT Delhi.
IIT Delhi, New Delhi, Delhi
How to apply
- 1Students register and submit ideas online through the Youth Ideathon portal.
- 2The submission form requires basic student and team details, including parent contact information.
- 3Mentors' details are optional.
Rules and guidelines
- Participants must be school students in India.
- Teams must consist of 3 to 5 members from the same school.
- Ideas must align with the competition themes: Indian Heritage, Technologies for India, or Sustainability.
- Submissions are evaluated based on creativity, innovation, and feasibility.
- Top 500 teams will receive a cash grant for prototype development.
- Final presentations for top 100 teams will be held at IIT Delhi.
Technology requirements
- Internet access for online submission and workshops
- Device capable of creating and uploading video pitches (for shortlisted teams)
About this opportunity
The Youth Ideathon, organized by Think Startup and the Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC) in association with CBSE, is India's largest innovation and entrepreneurship competition for school students. It aims to ignite a passion for innovation and entrepreneurship, encouraging students to identify and solve real-world challenges. The competition focuses on themes such as Indian Heritage and Knowledge Systems, Technologies for India's advancement, and Sustainability.
This competition is open to all school students across India, from Class 4 to Class 12, divided into Junior (Class 4-8) and Senior (Class 9-12) categories. Students must participate in teams of 3 to 5 members from the same school. No prior experience in entrepreneurship is required, making it accessible to all young minds with innovative ideas.
Participants will develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Top teams receive incubation grants, cash prizes, and national recognition. All shortlisted teams receive certificates, and there are special awards for teachers, mentors, and schools, fostering a supportive ecosystem for young innovators.
The Youth Ideathon is a multi-stage competition that guides students through ideation, prototype development, and pitching their solutions to industry experts. It provides a unique platform to translate ideas into actionable prototypes or saleable products, contributing to India's economic growth and social progress.
Rounds and format
Stage 1: Online Idea Submission. Students form teams and submit their innovative solutions or business ideas through the YI online portal. Stage 2: Selection of Top 1500. A jury evaluates entries based on creativity, innovation, and feasibility. Shortlisted teams receive certificates. Stage 3: The ₹1000 Challenge and Knowledge Session. Each shortlisted team competes to develop a prototype (Innovation Track) or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) (Entrepreneurship Track) with a ₹1000 grant. Free online workshops on product development, marketing, and pitching are provided. Teams create a short video pitch. Stage 4: Selection of Top 500. A jury evaluates video pitches to select the Top 500 teams, ensuring a balanced mix of junior and senior teams. All Top 500 teams receive certificates. Stage 5: The Grand Finale at IIT Delhi. The Top 100 teams are invited to showcase their solutions or products at IIT Delhi, presenting to a panel of distinguished judges and industry leaders. The top 3 teams in each theme for both Junior and Senior categories receive incubation grants.
How entries are judged
Ideas are evaluated based on creativity, innovation, feasibility, uniqueness, novelty, scalability, market viability, and social, economic, or environmental impact.
Selection process
Selection is based on the evaluation of submitted ideas, video pitches, and final presentations by a jury of experts. For the video pitch round, selection is based on an expert score (75% weightage) and a popularity score (25% weightage).
How to prepare
- Free online workshops on new product development, marketing, and pitching.
- Faculty and student workshops on 'How to get Good Ideas'.
- Mentorship and incubation support through various incubators for national, state, and theme award winners.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The competition integrates themes relevant to current national and global challenges, encouraging interdisciplinary learning and practical application of knowledge.
Frequently asked questions
How can participants effectively manage competitive pressure during the various stages of the Ideathon?
Participants can manage pressure by focusing on their team's unique strengths, practicing presentations, and seeking feedback from mentors. Emphasizing learning over winning helps maintain a positive mindset throughout the competition.
What are common mistakes students make during the idea submission and pitching phases, and how can these be avoided?
Common mistakes include unclear problem statements, lack of originality, and poor presentation skills. Avoiding these involves thorough research, clear articulation of the solution, and extensive practice of the pitch.
What strategies can teams employ to develop a truly innovative solution that stands out among many entries?
To stand out, teams should identify unique problems, research existing solutions thoroughly, and brainstorm creative, feasible, and scalable ideas. Focusing on a niche or an underserved area can also be beneficial.
How important is the prototype development stage, and what resources are available to support teams in this phase?
Prototype development is crucial for demonstrating feasibility. Teams receive a ₹1000 grant for this stage, along with access to online workshops and mentorship to guide them in creating a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Beyond winning, what are the most significant long-term benefits for students participating in the Youth Ideathon?
Beyond prizes, participants develop critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. They gain national recognition, mentorship, and a strong foundation for future entrepreneurial ventures and higher education.
How does the judging panel evaluate ideas, and what criteria are given the most weight during the assessment process?
Ideas are evaluated based on creativity, innovation, feasibility, uniqueness, scalability, market viability, and social/economic/environmental impact. Expert scores and popularity scores contribute to the overall assessment.
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