The government has announced the launch of three flagship global impact challenges under the upcoming India-AI Impact Summit 2026, offering a total prize pool of Rs 5.85 crore.
The announcement, first made by Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in September, aims to identify, nurture, and promote AI-driven innovations that can create meaningful social and economic impact. Applications for all three challenges are now open on the official portal, with the last date for submission set for October 31.
The three challenges — AI for All: Global Impact Challenge, AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge, and YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge — are designed to accelerate inclusive, responsible, and scalable AI innovation. The winning projects will be showcased at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to take place in New Delhi from February 19 to 20.
The AI for All: Global Impact Challenge invites deployable AI solutions targeting key sectors such as agriculture, climate and sustainability, education, financial inclusion, healthcare, manufacturing, urban infrastructure, and mobility. Up to ten winners will share awards worth Rs 2.5 crore, along with mentorship, investor connections, compute credits, and post-summit accelerator opportunities.
Twenty finalists will receive travel support to attend the summit. The challenge is open to students, researchers, professionals, startups, and companies worldwide with scalable AI solutions.
The AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge, organised by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP) of NITI Aayog and partner organisations, aims to promote women-led AI innovation. It invites women-led teams and enterprises to develop AI-based solutions with tangible social impact across sectors such as agriculture, cybersecurity, digital wellbeing, healthcare, energy, and climate. The top ten winners will share Rs 2.5 crore in prizes, while up to thirty finalists will receive travel assistance and access to virtual bootcamps focused on responsible AI.
The YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge targets young innovators aged 13 to 21, encouraging them to design AI solutions for public good. With a total prize pool of Rs 85 lakh, the top three winners will receive Rs 15 lakh each, the next three winners Rs 10 lakh each, and two special recognition awardees Rs 5 lakh each. The top twenty participants will also receive travel support to attend the summit and access to virtual bootcamps and investor showcases.
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