“The Global Impact Challenges are designed to accelerate inclusive, responsible, and scalable AI innovation. They aim to inspire and support groundbreaking ideas in Artificial Intelligence that can drive positive societal transformation. The selected innovations will be showcased at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from 19–20 February 2026, in New Delhi.”
Government of India has invited applications for three Global Impact Challenges under India-AI Impact Summit 2026 with applications open till 31 October 2025. Applications for the three flagship Global Impact Challenges, announced by Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw in September 2025, are now open offering total awards worth ₹5.85 Crore.
The three initiatives are:
- AI for All: Global Impact Challenge,
- AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge, and
- YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge.
These initiatives aim to identify, nurture, and showcase transformative AI-driven solutions with high potential for social and economic impact. These programmes will provide innovators with mentorship, investor access, and a global platform to scale their ideas. The challenges are live on the official summit website: https://impact.indiaai.gov.in/
The Global Impact Challenges are designed to accelerate inclusive, responsible, and scalable AI innovation. They aim to inspire and support groundbreaking ideas in Artificial Intelligence that can drive positive societal transformation. The selected innovations will be showcased at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled from 19–20 February 2026, in New Delhi.
What are the three flagship Global Impact Challenges
1) AI for All: Global Impact Challenge
A global call for AI innovations that demonstrate high potential value at scale and address critical national and global needs. The challenge invites deployable AI solutions across key sectors such as Agriculture, Climate & Sustainability, Education, Financial Inclusion, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Urban Infrastructure & Mobility, and a Wildcard/Open Innovation track.
Awards & Support: Total Awards of up to ₹2.5 crore for the top 10 winners.
20 finalists (up to two members each) will receive travel support to participate in the India-AI Impact Summit 2026.
Access to mentorship, investor connects, compute/cloud credits, and post-Summit accelerator pathways.
Eligibility: Open globally to students, researchers, working professionals, companies, and startups with AI solutions that are at pilot stage or ready for scale.
2) AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge
A dedicated challenge to strengthen the pipeline of women-led AI innovations, organized by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), NITI Aayog, in collaboration with other knowledge partners. Applicants are invited to propose AI solutions that create tangible social impact in areas such as Agriculture, Cybersecurity & Digital Wellbeing, Education, Healthcare, Energy & Climate, and Wildcard/Open Innovation.
Awards & Support: Total Awards of up to ₹2.5 crore for the top 10 winners.
Up to 30 finalists (up to two members each) will receive travel support to attend the Summit.
Virtual bootcamps on Responsible AI, Investor Readiness, and Storytelling.
Curated investor engagements for up to 30 high-potential teams.
Eligibility: Open globally to women-led teams, student teams, or women-led entities with a working prototype or mature AI solution.
3) YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge
A youth-first initiative designed to encourage young innovators aged 13–21 years (individuals or teams of up to two) to develop AI solutions for public good. Indicative themes include empowering people and communities, transforming key sectors, and building future-ready infrastructure and smart ecosystems, alongside a Wildcard/Open Innovation category.
Awards & Support: Total prizes worth ₹85 lakh, including:
₹15 lakh each for the top 3 winners
₹10 lakh each for the next 3 winners
2 special recognition awards of ₹5 lakh each
Top 20 participants to receive travel support for Summit participation.
10-day virtual bootcamps, investor showcase opportunities, and a permanent online showcase and compendium publication.
Eligibility: Open globally to young innovators aged 13–21 years with working prototypes, POCs, or deployable solutions.
Timelines and Key Dates
Applications open: 10 October 2025
Last date for submission: 31 October 2025
Virtual bootcamps: November 2025
Finalists announced by: 31 December 2025
Grand showcase: India-AI Impact Summit 2026 (19–20 February 2026, New Delhi).
How to Apply
Applications for all three Global Impact Challenges can be submitted through the official portal: www.impact.indiaai.gov.in
Each challenge page provides detailed information on eligibility criteria, timelines, submission guidelines, consent forms, and FAQs. Applicants are advised to review all instructions carefully and regularly check the website for updates and announcements related to shortlisting and participation.
Source: PIB
