Government invites applications for three Global AI Impact Challenges worth ₹5.85 crore
The Government has opened applications for three flagship Global Impact Challenges under the India-AI Impact Summit 2026. The total prize pool is ₹5.85 crore across AI for All, AI by HER, and YUVAi. Applications close on October 31, 2025.
These initiatives, first announced by Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, aim to fast-track inclusive and responsible AI innovation. Shortlisted teams get mentorship, investor connects, compute credits, and a global platform to present at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi on February 19-20.
Why this matters for government teams
This is a direct pipeline to surface deployable AI solutions for priority public outcomes. It covers agriculture, health, education, urban services, climate action, and financial inclusion-areas where departments need scalable, measurable impact.
Use this window to identify pilots, crowd in innovators, and align budgets for FY25-26 implementation. The program provides investor and acceleration support that can complement public funding and procurement.
AI for All: Global Impact Challenge
Invites AI solutions for national and global needs across agriculture, climate and sustainability, education, financial inclusion, healthcare, manufacturing, urban mobility, and open innovation.
- Awards: Up to ₹2.5 crore for the top 10 winners
- Support: Travel assistance for 20 finalists, mentorship, investor connects, compute credits, and post-summit accelerator support
- Eligibility: Open globally to students, researchers, professionals, startups, and companies with scalable AI solutions
AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge
In collaboration with the Women Entrepreneurship Platform and NITI Aayog, this track backs women-led AI innovation across agriculture, cybersecurity, education, healthcare, energy, and climate action.
- Awards: Up to ₹2.5 crore for the top 10 winners
- Support: Travel assistance for 30 finalists, virtual bootcamps on Responsible AI and investor readiness, and curated investor engagement
- Eligibility: Open globally to women-led teams and entities with working AI prototypes or mature solutions
YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge
For young innovators aged 13-21 building AI for public good. Themes include community empowerment, sector transformation, and future-ready infrastructure.
- Awards: Total prizes worth ₹85 lakh, including ₹15 lakh each for the top three winners
- Support: Travel assistance for the top 20 participants, virtual bootcamps, investor showcases, and a permanent online innovation compendium
- Eligibility: Open globally to individuals or teams of two with prototypes or deployable solutions
Key dates
- Applications open: October 10, 2025
- Deadline: October 31, 2025
- Virtual bootcamps: November 2025
- Finalists announced: December 31, 2025
- Grand presentation: India-AI Impact Summit 2026, New Delhi (February 19-20)
How government departments can engage now
- Identify 2-3 high-impact problem statements per department with clear KPIs, datasets, and pilot sites
- Nominate a single-window nodal officer for evaluations, MoUs, and field access
- Prepare data-sharing protocols, privacy safeguards, and security reviews aligned with prevailing policy
- Set aside pilot budgets for FY25-26 and outline pathways for scale under existing schemes
- Issue letters of support where relevant to attract strong applicants and accelerate field testing
- Engage state universities, Atal Tinkering Labs, and skilling partners to boost YUVAi participation
- Line up procurement options (rate contracts, innovation challenges, sandboxing) for rapid onboarding post-selection
Where and how to apply
All applications must be submitted via the official portal: impact.indiaai.gov.in. You will find eligibility criteria, timelines, guidelines, and FAQs on the same page.
For policy alignment and program context, refer to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology at meity.gov.in. Ensure proposals reflect Responsible AI practices and measurable public outcomes.
Bottom line
This is a practical route to source, test, and scale AI that moves key public metrics. If you lead a government program or innovation cell, lock in problem statements, partners, and pilot workflows before the October 31 deadline.
Your membership also unlocks:
