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Startup-specific scheme · Department of Science & Technology (DST)

NIDHI – Promotion and Acceleration of Young and Aspiring Technology Entrepreneurs (PRAYAS) 2.0 (PRAYAS 2.0)

ActiveChecked 3 October 2026

PRAYAS 2.0 guidelines issued Mar 2026; PMU run by SINE, IIT Bombay. Innovators apply to a PRAYAS Centre (up to ₹20 lakh per innovator) or an Advanced PRAYAS Centre (up to ₹40 lakh, deep tech) when that centre opens a call.

Amount
Grant up to ₹40 lakh
Type of support
Grant
Best for
Ideation, Prototype / PoC
Who can apply
Aspiring founders, DPIIT-recognised startups, Early-stage startups
Go to the official portalSource: DPIIT playbook p. 39

The NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0 scheme provides early-stage funding and prototyping support to young innovators, helping them turn their technology ideas into working products and viable startups.

Who can apply?
  • A DPIIT recognised startup or an individual innovator are eligible to apply under the program.
  • In case of a recognised startup, it has to be incorporated in India, not more than 5 years of existence and its annual turnover for any financial year should not have exceeded ₹1 crore.
What do you get?
  • Level 1 – PCs: Each innovator/startup supported by a Level 1 Centre PC may receive up to ₹20 Lakhs grant for prototyping. DST provides up to ₹2 crore per annum to each PC.
  • Level 2 – APCs: Provides prototyping grants of up to ₹40 lakh per innovator/ startup. DST provides up to ₹4 crore per annum to each APC.
How to apply

Applicant incubators can submit the proposal online in the prescribed proforma, at the NIDHI PRAYAS PMU Portal https://nidhi-prayas.org/ or on https://nidhi.dst.gov.in/schemes- programmes/nidhiprayas/

Objectives

The scheme aims to bridge the gap funding in the very early-stage idea/ proof of concept. Building on the outcomes of NIDHI PRAYAS 1.0, the programme has evolved into NIDHI PRAYAS 2.0, with enhanced support for both technology-based and deep-tech innovations. It is a pre-incubation initiative that is implemented through incubators known as the PRAYAS Centres (PCs) and Advance PRAYAS Centres (APCs) (specialized centres to support DeepTech innovations).

Key links

Deadlines, amounts and windows change. Check the official portal before you apply.

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