In this article we providing information regarding latest CBSE Circular 73/2026: National Startup Awards 6.0 for Students.
CBSE Circular 73/2026: National Startup Awards 6.0 – Student Innovator & Aspiring Entrepreneur Award
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released Circular No. Acad-73/2026 dated 4 November 2026, regarding student participation in the National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0 under the Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award category.
Through this initiative, students from CBSE-affiliated schools across India will get an opportunity to showcase their innovative ideas, creative solutions and entrepreneurial skills on a national platform.
The initiative has been launched by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. Students with innovative ideas are encouraged to participate and explore opportunities in entrepreneurship and innovation.
Overview of CBSE Circular 73/2026
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Organization | Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) |
| Circular Number | Acad-73/2026 |
| Circular Date | 04 November 2026 |
| Initiative | National Startup Awards 6.0 |
| Award Category | Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur |
| Launched By | DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry |
| Total Award Pool | ₹25 Lakh |
| Eligible Participants | Students and aspiring entrepreneurs |
| Participating Institutions | Schools and colleges across India |
| Official Application Portal | Startup India |
What is the National Startup Awards 6.0?
The National Startup Awards (NSA) were introduced in 2019 to recognize innovative, scalable and impactful startups across India.
The sixth edition, National Startup Awards 6.0, was launched on 27 October 2026. It includes 20 sectoral award categories and three special award categories.
One of the important additions is the Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award, which aims to encourage young minds to develop innovative ideas and entrepreneurial solutions.
The initiative focuses on promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, employment generation and socio-economic development.
Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award – Age Categories
The award has four sub-categories based on the age of participants.
| S. No. | Award Sub-Category | Age Eligibility |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Budding Innovators | 10–14 Years |
| 2 | Rising Innovators | 14–16 Years |
| 3 | Young Changemakers | 16–18 Years |
| 4 | Emerging Entrepreneurs | 18 Years and Above |
Students should refer to the official application guidelines to confirm the detailed eligibility requirements for their respective categories.
Prize Money for National Startup Awards 6.0
The Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award has a total prize pool of ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories.
This provides an opportunity for students and young entrepreneurs to gain national-level recognition for their innovative ideas and entrepreneurial potential.
According to the award framework:
- Total award pool: ₹25 lakh.
- Four student and aspiring entrepreneur sub-categories.
- Participation from all 36 States and Union Territories.
- Maximum 10 nominations per State/UT.
20 Sectoral Categories of National Startup Awards 6.0
Apart from the student award, NSA 6.0 recognizes startups across the following 20 sectors:
- Agriculture, AgriTech & Food Systems
- Biomanufacturing
- DeepTech & Frontier Technologies
- Climate-Tech, Clean Energy & Sustainability
- Consumer Industries
- Creative Industries, Media & Digital Content
- Defence & Security
- Rural Economy, Traditional Industries & Livelihoods
- Education & Skilling
- Electronics, Semiconductors & Advanced Manufacturing
- FinTech, Financial Services & Inclusion
- Food-Tech, Biotechnology & Nutrition
- Healthcare, MedTech & Life Sciences
- Supply Chain & Logistics
- Sports, Fitness & Sports-Tech
- Future Mobility & Automotive
- Ocean & Blue Economy
- Space-Tech, Drones & Aerospace
- Telecom, Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure
- Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
Three Special Award Categories
The National Startup Awards 6.0 also includes three special awards:
- Women-Led Startup of the Year: Recognizes innovation, growth, scalability and impact by women-led startups.
- North-East Startup Excellence: Recognizes startups from the eight North-Eastern States.
- Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur: Encourages school and college innovators from all 36 States and Union Territories.
Instructions for CBSE Affiliated Schools
As per CBSE Circular 73/2026, schools are requested to take the following steps:
- Encourage eligible students to participate in the Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award under NSA 6.0.
- Identify students who have innovative ideas, creative solutions and entrepreneurial potential.
- Facilitate awareness and outreach activities among students.
- Support eligible students in the nomination and application process.
- Refer to the official eligibility criteria and application guidelines.
- Disseminate information about this initiative among students and encourage participation.
Schools should refer to the detailed application and nomination process available on the Startup India website.
How to Apply for National Startup Awards 6.0?
Students, aspiring entrepreneurs and educational institutions can visit the official Startup India portal to access the application and nomination guidelines.
Application and Nomination Process:
Visit the official website:
https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/nsa2026.html
Follow the instructions available on the portal and check the eligibility criteria for the relevant award sub-category before submitting a nomination.
Note: Applicants should check the official portal for the latest application schedule, submission requirements and other detailed instructions. The CBSE circular does not specify a separate application deadline.
Important Instructions for Schools and Students
- Students should identify innovative ideas that address real-world problems.
- Schools should create awareness about innovation and entrepreneurship.
- Eligible students should participate according to the prescribed guidelines.
- The application and nomination process should be completed through the official platform.
- Students should verify all eligibility and submission requirements before applying.
Important Contact Details
For clarification and coordination regarding the initiative, the CBSE circular provides the following contact details:
- Dr. Bhuvnesh Pratap Singh: Director, DPIIT – 7762843006
- Ms. Pratiti S: Senior Manager, Startup India Hub – 8197915918
Download CBSE Circular 73/2026 PDF
Students, teachers and school authorities can download the official CBSE notification using the link below.
Official Notification: CBSE Circular No. Acad-73/2026 – Participation in National Startup Awards (NSA) 6.0 – Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award.
PDF Download: https://cbseacademic.nic.in/web_material/Circulars/2026/73_Circular_2026.pdf
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is CBSE Circular 73/2026 about?
CBSE Circular 73/2026 is about student participation in the National Startup Awards 6.0 under the Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award category.
Q2. When was CBSE Circular 73/2026 released?
The circular was released on 4 November 2026.
Q3. Who launched the National Startup Awards 6.0?
The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, launched the sixth edition of the National Startup Awards.
Q4. What is the total prize pool for the Student Innovator Award?
The total award pool is ₹25 lakh across four sub-categories.
Q5. What are the age categories for the Student Innovator Award?
The four categories are Budding Innovators (10–14 years), Rising Innovators (14–16 years), Young Changemakers (16–18 years) and Emerging Entrepreneurs (18 years and above).
Q6. How many nominations are allowed per State or Union Territory?
The award framework specifies a maximum of 10 nominations per State/UT.
Q7. Where can students find the application process?
Students can visit the official Startup India website: https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/nsa2026.html
Q8. What should CBSE-affiliated schools do?
Schools should identify eligible students, create awareness, encourage participation and facilitate the nomination process as per the prescribed guidelines.
Conclusion
The National Startup Awards 6.0 is an important opportunity for students to demonstrate their creativity, innovative thinking and entrepreneurial abilities. Through CBSE Circular 73/2026, affiliated schools have been encouraged to identify talented students and support their participation in this national-level initiative.
Students with innovative ideas should explore this opportunity and take their first step towards becoming future innovators and entrepreneurs.
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