Arunachal launches National Innovation Challenge to find grassroots solutions

The Arunachal Pradesh government on October 5 launched a National Innovation Challenge (NIC), inviting young Indians to identify problems in their communities and develop practical, implementable solutions that can be mentored, funded and piloted.

The challenge, being launched as part of the 25-year public service milestone of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will be conducted across five cities — Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Kolkata and New Delhi.

The Kolkata regional challenge will cover West Bengal, Odisha, Jharkhand, Bihar and the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh.

Announcing the initiative, the state government said the objective was to honour 25 years of Modi’s public service by creating a platform where young Indians could focus on solving real-world problems rather than merely commemorating the milestone.

Applications opened on October 5, with October 25 as the deadline for inquiries and October 30 as the final date for submissions.

The challenge is open to school and college students, polytechnic trainees, young professionals, early-stage startups, independent innovators and community groups. Applicants can participate individually or in teams.

Two categories have been proposed — Junior, for school, ITI and undergraduate students, and Open, for graduates, professionals, startups and community groups.

The Junior category will focus on insight, ingenuity and clarity of thinking, while the Open category will place greater emphasis on the strength of the implementation case, with a prototype or pilot expected.

Applications can be submitted through the Arunachal Pradesh State Startup Portal.

Shortlisted innovators will first be invited to Itanagar to present their ideas before a jury. Selected participants will then travel to Kolkata for the next round, with finalists proceeding to New Delhi. The Arunachal Pradesh government will bear the travel expenses of selected participants.

Arunachal positions startup ecosystem as launchpad

The state government said the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation & Investment Park (APIIP) has been conceptualised as the nodal institution for innovation in the state, including for the National Innovation Challenge.

Another key initiative under the ecosystem is the Arunachal Pradesh Entrepreneurship Development Programme (APEDP), which the government said has gained recognition in the national startup ecosystem.

The government said Arunachal Pradesh was adjudged a ‘Best Performer’ under the Government of India’s National Startup Ranking Framework, citing the impact of APIIP and APEDP.

According to the government, APEDP has so far incubated 156 startups, while another 100 startups are currently under incubation.

The challenge seeks to identify young innovators who can develop solutions to problems at the level of a state, district, city, village or panchayat, with a credible pathway to implementation and potential for scaling or replication.

The government also highlighted India’s growth in innovation and entrepreneurship, noting that the country’s position in the Global Innovation Index improved from 81st in 2015 to 38th in 2025.

The number of DPIIT-recognised startups, it said, has increased from around 350 in 2014 to more than 2.4 lakh in 2025-26, making India the world's third-largest startup ecosystem.

The state government urged young innovators across Arunachal Pradesh and the wider region to participate in the challenge and use the platform to develop solutions to problems affecting their communities.