Bharat Startup Grand Challenge (BSGC) 2026

About this grant

The Bharat Startup Grand Challenge (BSGC) 2026 is a DPIIT-approved national startup innovation initiative aimed at identifying, supporting, and scaling high-impact startups addressing critical challenges across India’s key economic and social sectors. The program is designed to bring together startups, government bodies, industry leaders, investors, and ecosystem partners to collaboratively solve sector-specific problem statements aligned with national priorities. Through a structured challenge-led approach, startups receive financial support, mentorship, incubation opportunities, and national-level visibility. BSGC 2026 features twelve focused challenge statements spanning areas such as agriculture, healthcare, electric mobility, fintech, manufacturing, defence, sustainability, and social impact. Selected startups gain access to expert guidance, ecosystem partnerships, opportunities for pilots, and grant support to accelerate product development and real-world deployment, contributing towards the vision of a Viksit Bharat.

Eligibility requirements

All of the following criteria must be met:

• The applicant must be a startup registered and operating in India
• The startup should be working on solutions aligned with one of the twelve official BSGC 2026 challenge statements
• Startups may be at idea, prototype, MVP, or early revenue stage
• The solution should address a real-world, high-impact problem relevant to India’s growth and development
• The startup should demonstrate innovation, scalability, and potential for measurable impact
• Founders must be willing to engage with mentors, industry experts, and ecosystem partners during the program
• Applicants must explore the available challenge statements listed under BSGC 2026
• Startups should select the challenge most relevant to their solution and innovation focus
• Interested startups must complete the online registration and application form on the official MASA Forum platform
• Applicants are required to provide startup details, solution description, and sector relevance
• Applications are reviewed by the BSGC evaluation committee comprising industry and ecosystem experts
• Shortlisted startups are selected for grant support, mentorship, and incubation opportunities
• Selected startups receive program onboarding details and further engagement guidelines

What the funding covers

• Funding: Upto: ₹5 Lakhs

How to apply

1. 1Ensure DPIIT recognition on the Startup India portal.
2. 2Check eligibility for early/growth-stage startups (Seed-Series A) in sectors like Agri, EV, FinTech, Health, and Defence.
3. 3Visit the official application portal such as Startup India or masaforum.com/BharatGrandChallenge.
4. 4Upload your business plan and solution to one of the 12 challenge statements before the deadline (approximately April 30, 2026).
5. 5Applications are shortlisted through evaluation, and winners can receive up to ₹5 lakh grants and mentorship.
6. 6Monitor application status and notifications through email and the portal.

Application tips