Programme
designed to support scalable innovations from Tier 2, Tier 3 and rural India
through collaboration between government, academia and industry.
Applications
Open till July 5, 2026; NIESBUD and FITT, IIT Delhi to Drive Programme Delivery
New Delhi : The
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), Government of India,
today launched ‘Navachar Mantra’ - a national initiative focused on
strengthening grassroots entrepreneurship and expanding opportunities for
innovators across emerging India. The programme is being implemented by the
National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
(NIESBUD), with Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT
Delhi serving as the Technical Knowledge Partner.
The
initiative was launched by Shri Jayant Chaudhary, Hon'ble Minister of State
(Independent Charge) for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of
State for Education, Government of India at IIT Delhi in the presence of
policymakers, startup ecosystem leaders, academic institutions, investors and
young entrepreneurs.
Addressing the gathering, Hon’ble Minister of State (Independent Charge)
for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and Minister of State for Education,
Government of India, Shri Jayant Chaudhary said, “The world should not only use products made
in India but should use technologies imagined in India, that is the true spirit
of Navachar Mantra. Whether it is artificial intelligence, semiconductors,
green energy, biotechnology, digital public infrastructure or advanced
manufacturing, the next wave of global transformation must carry India’s
intellectual imprint. Not because of ambition alone, but because India
possesses something unique: the scale of challenges, the diversity of
realities, and the talent of young minds capable of solving problems at a global
level.”
“On
this occasion, I would also urge young innovators to pursue ideas and careers
that genuinely excite and inspire them. These are life decisions, and you have
to be happy with what you choose to do. Do not pursue something that does not
bring you fulfilment, because over time it will weigh on you from within. The
most meaningful innovations are often created by people who wake up every day
looking forward to their work, driven not just by opportunity, but by purpose
and passion. Navachar Mantra is about creating an ecosystem where such ideas,
and such innovators, can thrive,” he further added.
A
key highlight of the event was a fireside chat titled “Navigating the
Entrepreneurial Journey: From Grassroots Innovation to National Scale”,
which brought together accomplished entrepreneurs and innovators from diverse
sectors. The session featured Shri Rajat Vardhan, Founder & CEO, Scanxt
Scientific Technologies, as moderator, alongside Shri Sandeep Agarwal, Founder,
Droom; Shri Bipin Preet Singh, Founder & CEO, MobiKwik; Dr. Jagadis Gupta
Kapuganti, Founder, Fruvetech Pvt. Ltd.; and Ms. Meenal Gupta, Founder, Easiofy
Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Drawing from their own entrepreneurial journeys, the
panellists shared valuable insights on innovation, resilience, scaling
ventures, and building sustainable businesses, inspiring aspiring entrepreneurs
and innovators in attendance.
Navachar Mantra is a
transformative national initiative of the Ministry of Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship (MSDE) aimed at identifying, nurturing, and amplifying India's
most promising grassroots innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs. Implemented
by the National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development
(NIESBUD) in partnership with the Foundation for Innovation and Technology
Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi, the programme seeks to create pathways for
innovators from Tier-2 and Tier-3 towns, aspirational districts, and
underserved geographies to access mentorship, visibility, and growth
opportunities.
The
initiative is designed to provide a structured ecosystem of support for
innovators working across priority sectors such as Agritech, HealthTech, EdTech
and Skilling, Climate and Sustainability, Rural Commerce, and MSME Enablement.
Through Navachar Mantra, innovators will gain direct access to policymakers,
industry leaders, investors, and domain experts, enabling them to refine their
ideas, strengthen business models, and accelerate their journey from innovation
to enterprise.
Following
the launch, registrations are now open for applications from innovators and
entrepreneurs across the country through a dedicated digital platform. The
last date registration July 5, 2026. A rigorous multi-stage evaluation
process involving experts from academia, industry, investment firms, and
government institutions will be undertaken to identify high-potential ventures.
The programme is expected to attract applications from across India, with a
special focus on innovators creating solutions for local challenges and
community impact.
Selected
innovators will be inducted into a year-long engagement programme comprising
mentorship roundtables, thematic webinars, innovation showcases, investor
interactions, and national-level storytelling platforms. Participants will
receive tailored guidance on business development, market access, regulatory
compliance, intellectual property, fundraising, and scaling strategies. The
programme will also facilitate opportunities for pilot projects, partnerships,
and market linkages to help promising innovations translate into sustainable
enterprises.
A
key feature of Navachar Mantra will be its focus on visibility and recognition.
Through ministerial podcasts, innovation showcases, digital campaigns, and
ecosystem events, selected innovators will be provided national exposure and a
platform to share their journeys with a wider audience. The programme will
culminate in a national showcase event, bringing together innovators, industry
leaders, investors, policymakers, and ecosystem stakeholders to celebrate
innovation-led entrepreneurship and chart pathways for future growth.
By
building a robust pipeline of grassroots innovators and connecting them with
the country's leading institutions and networks, Navachar Mantra aims to
strengthen India's innovation ecosystem and contribute to the vision of a
self-reliant, entrepreneurial, and innovation-driven Viksit Bharat.
The launch event was
attended by several distinguished dignitaries and senior officials, including
Shri Dilip Kumar, Director General, Directorate General of Training (DGT); Ms.
Hena Usman, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
(MSDE); Ms. Archana Mayaram, Economic Adviser, MSDE; Prof. Rangan Banerjee,
Director, IIT Delhi; Dr. Poonam Sinha, Director General, NIESBUD and Dr. Nikhil
Agarwal, MD, FITT - IIT Delhi. The event also witnessed participation from
senior representatives of government ministries, industry, academia, innovation
institutions, startup ecosystem enablers, and other partner organisations.