/viestories/media/media_files/2025/05/30/PlIcjpf8m1t11PkzLUP1.png)
This initiative aims to honor and support startups that drive innovation, sustainability and social impact, contributing to India's journey toward becoming a "Viksit Bharat" (Developed India).
NSA 5.0 emphasizes holistic impact and disruptive innovation, recognizing startups that address societal challenges, create jobs, and leverage technology for transformative solutions.
The awards will cover a diverse set of categories, including Women-led Innovator Award, Impact in Rural Areas, Make in India Excellence Award, Innovation Trailblazers from the North-East and Hilly States and Union Territories, Rising Star Award, The Next Pioneer Award, NextGen Innovator, Humanitarian Impact Award, Creative Industry Disruptor Award, Urban Mobility Excellence Award, Circular Economy Innovator Award, Community Development Catalyst Award, Genesis Innovators of the Year, Fintech Revolution Catalyst Award and Inclusive Design Excellence Award.
Winners will receive not only national recognition but also exclusive handholding support to scale their ventures. This includes access to government schemes, mentorship opportunities and potential funding avenues.
Applications for NSA 5.0 are now open, and interested startups can apply through the official Startup India portal-https://www.startupindia.gov.in/content/sih/en/nsa2025.html.Startup India+7Startup India+7Startup India+7
This initiative underscores the commitment of government to foster a robust startup ecosystem and encourage entrepreneurs to develop solutions that have a meaningful impact on society.
GUIDELINES FOR NSA 5.0
Eligibility Criteria of National Awards 5.0 for Startups are as follows:
1. The startup must be a DPIIT-recognized startup and registered with BHASKAR at the time of application. The entity must submit a valid certificate of recognition issued by DPIIT.
2. The entity must have a hardware or software product or a process solution that is present in the market.
3. The entity must have all applicable trade-specific registrations as applicable to their business (example: CE, FSSAI, MSME, GST Registration, etc.)
4. There should not have been any default by the startup participating in the last three years (FY 22-23, FY 23-24 and FY 24-25) by the startup itself or any of its promoters or any of their group entities.
5. The entity must submit audited financial statements (balance sheet, profit & loss account) for the last three financial years (FY 22-23, FY 23-24 and FY 24-25) In case your startup is less than 3 years old, please upload all available financial statements. Startups which are less than a year old and do not have audited financials, will be exempt from this requirement. In case of non availability of audited financials for FY 2024-25, provisional statements issued by chartered accountant may be provided.
6. The entity should not be completed 10 years of incorporation on or before the last date of submission of applications.
Eligibility Criteria for National Awards 5.0 for Special Category Participants are as follows:
1. The stakeholder (incubator and mentor) must be registered with BHASKAR.
2. They should be actively working towards supporting startups.
3. There should not have been any default by them in the last three years (FY FY 22-23, FY 23-24 and FY 24-25)
4. For mentors, following points may be considered while evaluating – average rating, number of startups mentored, number of mentorship hours.
In the last edition, the National Startup Awards 2024 recognized 20 outstanding startups across 15 categories from a pool of 84 finalists. These awards celebrated innovations in sectors such as agritech, fintech, insurtech and climatetech.
Key Winners of NSA 2023
Genesis Innovator of the Year: Atsuya Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – Leveraging AI and IoT to help companies achieve sustainability goals.
Women-Led Innovation: Autocracy Machinery Pvt. Ltd. – A woman-led startup making significant strides in the machinery sector.
Rising Star Award: Vividminds Technologies Pvt. Ltd. and VVP Healthcare Evolution Pvt. Ltd. – Recognized for their innovative approaches in their respective fields.
India’s Social Impact Champion: Atypical Platform Pvt. Ltd. – Providing end-to-end technology platforms that assist corporates in becoming inclusive and creating employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Next Gen Innovator: Avinya Infinity Solutions Pvt. Ltd. – Revolutionizing the disinfection and sanitization sector with innovative solutions.
Excellence in Local to Global: Blackfrog Technologies Pvt. Ltd. – Committed to using immersive, context-driven research to develop a deep understanding of societal concerns.
Independent Trailblazer Award: Aum Paper Products Pvt. Ltd. – Specializes in producing paper packaging solutions for various industries.
Spotlight on Other Notable Winners
Defense Tech: Axial Aero – Offers advanced aerospace systems for defense needs.
Handicrafts: Country Clay – Offers luxury ceramic products showcasing different Indian states’ art forms.
Healthtech: Blackfrog Technologies – Developed Emvólio, a portable medical cold chain device for medicines like insulin.
Climate Tech: Atsuya Technologies – Helps companies achieve sustainability goals with AI and IoT.
These startups were honored for their innovative approaches and significant contributions to their respective fields.
Silicon Republic
The National Startup Awards continue to play a pivotal role in spotlighting India's entrepreneurial talent and fostering a culture of innovation and growth.
