Government of India invites applications for three Global Impact Challenges under India-AI Impact Summit 2026 with Total Prize Pool of ₹5.85 Crore; Applications Open Till October 31, 2025
Government of India invites applications for three Global Impact Challenges under India-AI Impact Summit 2026 with Total Prize Pool of ₹5.85 Crore; Applications Open Till October 31, 2025
Applications for the three flagship Global Impact Challenges, announced by Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Shri Ashwini Vaishnaw in September 2025, are now open offering total awards worth ₹5.85 Crore. The three initiatives AI for All: Global Impact Challenge, AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge, and YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge 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 February 19–20, 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:
Eligibility: Open globally to students, researchers, working professionals, companies, and startups with AI solutions that are at pilot stage or ready for scale.
Apply here
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:
Eligibility: Open globally to women-led teams, student teams, or women-led entities with a working prototype or mature AI solution.
Apply here
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:
Eligibility: Open globally to young innovators aged 13–21 years with working prototypes, POCs, or deployable solutions.
Apply here
Timelines and Key Dates
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.