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Seva First Innovation Challenge
IIT Dharwad students and research scholars are invited to participate in the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) — a national platform for identifying real-life community problems and developing practical, innovative and scalable solutions.
About the Challenge
A national platform for community-rooted innovation
The Seva First Innovation Challenge seeks to harness the creativity, energy and spirit of service of India's youth by providing a platform to identify real-life problems and develop practical, innovative and scalable solutions.
Promising solutions can progress through a defined pathway from problem identification to prototype, pilot, adoption and scale , supported by mentorship, technical support, incubation and access to potential adopters in government, industry and academia.
Who Can Participate?
The Challenge is open to youth at three levels.
Junior Level
School students up to Class XII and introductory-level learners.
Technical Level
Students of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and polytechnics.
Open Level
Undergraduate students and above, including postgraduate students and research scholars.
Open Level — IIT Dharwad Students & Research Scholars
A demonstrated prototype or pilot with a credible pathway to deployment, supported by cost, beneficiaries, timeline, impact and scalability.
Two Tracks to a Solution
Participants can approach a problem through either a technology/product route or a business/governance route.
Product / Technology Solution
A device, prototype, material, process or software system that can be built, demonstrated and deployed.
Business Model / Governance Solution
A new delivery model, service design, financing mechanism, community institution, process re-engineering or governance innovation.
Five National Themes
Select a community problem within one of the five national themes.
Theme 1
Swachh & Sustainable Bharat
Theme 2
Samriddh Annadata, Samriddh Bharat
Theme 3
Swasth & Samavesh Bharat
Theme 4
Shikshit & Kaushal Bharat
Theme 5
Surakshit Bharat
🌱 Swachh & Sustainable Bharat
- Water, Waste & Circular Economy
- Energy Efficiency
- Pollution
- Environment and Climate
- Resource Conservation
- Sustainable Technologies
🌾 Samriddh Annadata, Samriddh Bharat
- Agriculture
- Rural Innovation
- Livelihoods
- MSMEs & Artisans
- Rural Technologies
- Local Enterprise
❤️ Swasth & Samavesh Bharat
- Health & Well-being
- Assistive Technology
- Inclusion
- Healthcare Innovation
- Preventive Health
- Accessibility
🎓 Shikshit & Kaushal Bharat
- Education
- Skilling
- Learning Technologies
- Digital Learning
- Sports
- Human Development
🛡️ Surakshit Bharat
- Mobility & Road Safety
- Cyber Security
- Emergency Preparedness
- Community Safety
- Transportation & Traffic Management
- Disaster Resilience
- Community Security
- Surveillance & Protection
Cross-Cutting Enablers
These enablers are available across all five themes and both tracks.
Support to Innovators
Shortlisted innovations receive structured support beyond recognition.
Academic & Industry Mentorship
Mentorship assigned according to theme and track.
Laboratory & Testing Support
Access to laboratories, fabrication facilities and testing support.
Incubation & Pilot Funding
Incubation support, seed and pilot funding through existing schemes and partner institutions.
Field Testing
Opportunities in partnership with local bodies, panchayats and district administrations.
Intellectual Property Guidance
Guidance for intellectual property filing and protection.
Adoption Pathway
Linkage with potential adopters including government, public sector and industry.
Implementation Process
The Challenge follows seven sequential stages from launch to the Grand Finale.
Launch of the Initiative
Formal launch and release of themes, tracks and guidelines.
Call for Applications
Open registration through the national portal.
Screening of Applications
Eligibility verification and technical screening.
Result Publication
Publication of shortlisted innovators.
Mentoring & Training
Mentorship, training and technical support.
Zonal Presentation
Presentation, demonstration and evaluation.
Grand Finale
National finale, awards and recognition.
Important Timeline
Indicative schedule provided for the Challenge.
National Launch
Launch of the Challenge.
Submission Window
Challenge and submission period.
National Finale
New Delhi.
Expected Outcomes
The Challenge aims to build a lasting ecosystem for community-rooted innovation.
Have an Idea That Can Create Real Impact?
Identify a real community problem, develop a practical solution and take your innovation from concept towards prototype, pilot and deployment.
