SEVA First Innovation Challenge 2026

SEVA First Innovation Challenge 2026

Observe. Ideate. Innovate. Impact.

SEVA First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) 2026 is a national innovation platform launched at Delhi Technological University on 19 September 2026. It enables students, researchers, institutions, startups, industry and government teams to identify real problems and develop sustainable, affordable and implementable solutions for Viksit Bharat.

Robotic Sir is collaborating with the initiative and is accepting registrations through this page. The challenge itself is coordinated by Delhi Technological University for the Northern Region under the Government of NCT of Delhi initiative.

Vision, mission and aim

• Build a national culture in which young Indians transform real-world problems into practical innovation.
• Provide a structured path from problem identification to concept, design, prototype, validation, deployment and impact.
• Move beyond ideas: promising solutions should culminate in a working prototype or proof of concept and a credible implementation pathway.

Eligibility

Category I — School & Vocational

Students from Class V onwards up to ITI level, individually or in teams, with appropriate institutional support.

Category II — Diploma & Higher Education

Diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate and Ph.D. students from technical and non-technical institutions, individually or in teams.

Category III — Industry & Government (Open Category)

Urban and rural industries, MSMEs, startups, R&D organisations and government laboratories, individually or through collaborative teams.

For the Northern Region coordinated by DTU, participants may come from Delhi NCR, Haryana (without Chandigarh), Punjab (without Chandigarh), Chandigarh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, and Jammu & Kashmir. Eligibility may vary for a specific problem statement.

Innovation tracks

1. National Level Innovation: critical national priorities in defence, intelligence, space and national security; disaster management; manufacturing and electronics; AI, robotics and autonomous systems; energy, sustainability and environment; advanced engineering, infrastructure, future mobility and transport.
2. Local Community Level Innovation: locally observed challenges in village and panchayat development, agriculture, education, healthcare, urban life, environment, sports, employment, women and child safety, disaster management, transport, energy, tourism and other community needs.

Every national category offers an official problem-statement route and an open-proposal route. Local categories use open proposals based on a real village, district or state problem. Select the exact official ID in the registration form.

How to participate

1. Check eligibility and the Northern Region requirement.
2. Select the National Level or Local Community Level innovation track.
3. Select a published category and problem-statement/open-proposal ID.
4. Register individually or form a team and identify the team leader.
5. Submit the problem, proposed solution, innovation, technology, beneficiaries, feasibility and expected impact.

Submission — Screen 1 (Ideation)

Prepare a presentation that covers:

• the problem in simple language and where it was observed;
• photographs, video or other evidence of the problem;
• who is affected and the approximate number affected;
• evidence of interaction with users or the problem;
• existing solutions and the gaps that remain;
• the proposed solution and what is new;
• a sketch, diagram or conceptual model where possible;
• approximate cost and expected benefit;
• a 75-day work plan and milestones;
• team composition and member roles; and
• resources, facilities and entry Technology Readiness Level (TRL), if any.

Screen 1 evaluation

• Authenticity of the problem and supporting evidence
• Innovation and clear differentiation
• Technical soundness and feasibility
• Team capability and mentor/institutional support
• Beneficiary scale and societal impact
• Realism of the 75-day execution plan

Submission — Screen 2 (Pitch & Model)

Shortlisted teams submit a recorded video pitch of up to five minutes with the proposed solution, early prototype or demo where available, drawings, calculations or simulation, bill of materials and cost, team responsibilities, milestone chart, technical gaps, risks and mitigation.

Screen 2 considers work completed, problem-solution fit, practical relevance, technical/design feasibility, cost and resource realism, and the team's execution capability.

Official competition timeline

• Stage I — Ideate (19 September–1 October 2026): problem statements, registration, awareness, orientation, local problem identification and idea submission.
• Stage II — Screen (2–11 October 2026): eligibility scrutiny, technical/innovation assessment and shortlisted-team announcement.
• Stage III — Build & Evaluate (12 October–10 November 2026): mentoring, design development, workshops, laboratory/fabrication access, prototype development and interim technical review.
• Stage IV — Validate & Test (11–19 November 2026): performance, safety and reliability testing, field trials, user feedback and refinement.
• Stage V — Final Select (20–26 November 2026): final reports, prototype demonstrations, National Jury evaluation and finalist selection.
• Stage VI — Result Declaration (date to be declared): National Innovation Exhibition, Grand Finale and awards.

Benefits and recognition

• Total published prize pool: ₹2 crore
• National recognition and exposure
• Mentoring and connections with faculty, experts, industry and government
• Innovation, leadership, teamwork and entrepreneurship development
• Incubation and implementation pathways for outstanding solutions

Technology Readiness Levels

TRL 1 covers observed basic principles; TRL 2 a formulated concept; TRL 3 experimental proof of concept; TRL 4 laboratory validation; TRL 5 validation in a relevant environment; TRL 6 demonstration in a relevant environment; TRL 7 an operational-environment prototype; TRL 8 a complete and qualified system; and TRL 9 a system proven in real operation.

Registration and idea submission deadline

Registrations through Robotic Sir close on 15 October 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Submit complete participant, institution and idea details with a brief PPT or PPTX presentation. Registration guidance and next steps are shared directly with registered participants by email.

Collaboration

The competition page recognises the collaboration ecosystem supporting this opportunity: Government of India, Unstop, GeeksforGeeks and Delhi Technological University (DTU).