Education Ministry Extends Deadline For Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026; Check Details

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Education has extended the registration deadline for Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 till November 6.

The initiative aims to encourage young people to identify problems and build solutions aimed at serving their respective states and the nation. Their efforts will be rewarded with prizes and investment opportunities.

The registration window for Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 opened on September 25, 2026.

“Take this opportunity to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges,” the Education Ministry stated in a social media post on X.

The announcement gives educational institutions additional time to nominate students and submit their innovation proposals through the official portal, sevafirst.mic.gov.in.

Once the registration deadline is over, entries will be segregated state-wise, theme-wise, and track-wise for screening. The state screening by NITs is scheduled from November 7 onwards, the Education Ministry said.

⏳ More time. More ideas. More chances to innovate! 🚀

The registration deadline for SEVA First Innovation Challenge 2026 is now extended to 6 November 2026.

Got an idea? Don’t just think it. Make it happen! 🔥

👉 Register now: https://t.co/ZH6tGONOY6

#SevaFirstInnovationChallenge #SFIC #Innovation #SevaFirst

— Ministry of Education (@EduMinOfIndia) November 2, 2026

The South Zone edition of the initiative covers five states and three Union Territories: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

Who can apply

Junior: Students of Classes 6 to 12 can propose solutions to local problems. A working prototype is encouraged but not compulsory.

Technical: Students enrolled in ITIs and polytechnics can submit engineering, fabrication, electronics and process-related solutions.

Open: Undergraduate and postgraduate students, along with research scholars, can present demonstrated prototypes or pilot projects with a clear implementation plan.

Institution only can apply for their students for challenge. Individual students cannot register directly.

How to register

Step 1: Visit the official website sevafirst.mic.gov.in

Step 2: Select the institution registration option.

Step 3: Enter the institution’s details, including its UDISE or AISHE identification number, name and location.

Step 4: Provide the nominated coordinator’s details.

Step 5:  Verify the account through the eight-digit code sent to the institution’s official email address.

Step 6: Once the account is activated, the coordinator can nominate students and submit their entries.

Innovation themes

• Clean and Sustainable Bharat
• Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous Bharat
• Healthy and Inclusive Bharat
• Educated and Skilled Bharat
• Secure Bharat

Awards

• First prize: Rs 10 lakh.
• Second prize: Rs 5 lakh.
• Third prize: Rs 3 lakh.

The initiative also provides selected participants with expert mentorship, laboratory facilities, incubation, pilot support and opportunities to connect with government bodies and industry.