Startup India | DPIIT

    AI for Healthy India Challenge

    Tech Innovation for National Wellbeing

    Bhilai, Chhattisgarh
    Deadline: 15 Dec 2025
    0
    Days
    0
    Hours
    0
    Mins
    0
    Secs

    Presented by

    Rungta International Skills University & RuBI

    About the Challenge

    Transforming Healthcare Through AI

    The AI for Healthy India Challenge strives to identify AI and deep-tech solutions that can make healthcare equitable, affordable, and accessible to every Indian. We inspire innovators, startups, and students to develop AI-powered healthcare solutions addressing preventive care, maternal health, and last-mile accessibility.

    Key Objectives

    Foster AI Innovation

    Drive AI-powered solutions in preventive and equitable healthcare.

    Empower Innovators

    Support those addressing India's core health challenges with deep technology.

    Accelerate Solutions

    Make quality healthcare accessible and affordable for all Indians.

    Build Ecosystem

    Create sustainable AI healthcare infrastructure from idea to impact.

    ₹1.8 Lakh

    Total Awards

    4

    Theme Tracks

    20

    Top Finalists

    Free

    Participation

    Indicative Themes

    Choose Your Innovation Track

    We welcome all AI and deep-tech solutions that can create measurable healthcare impact at scale. Below themes are indicative:

    AI for Preventive Healthcare

    Solutions predicting epidemics, enhancing immunization delivery, enabling personalized wellness, or scaling public health awareness.

    AI for Mother & Child Care

    AI tools supporting prenatal & neonatal health, nutrition analytics, early detection of risks, ASHA worker assistive systems.

    AI for Equitable Healthcare

    Technologies improving healthcare access — teleconsultation, AI-assisted diagnostics, robotic surgeries, and drug supply chain optimization.

    Who Can Apply

    Open to All Innovators

    Startups & MSMEs
    Students
    Professionals
    Researchers

    Eligibility Criteria

    • Individuals or teams (minimum age: 15 years)
    • DPIIT-registered startups, MSMEs, or individuals committed to register within 6 months if selected
    • Open to innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs passionate about solving India's healthcare challenges
    • Participation from India or those with Indian operations
    What's In It For You

    Awards & Benefits

    GRAND PRIZE
    ₹60,000

    Best Overall Solution

    ₹40,000

    Top Solutions per Theme

    Each category winner

    ₹10,000

    Promising Startup Awards

    5 winners

    Beyond the Prize Money

    National Platform Showcase

    Present your innovations before investors, healthcare institutions, and ecosystem leaders.

    Mentorship & Bootcamps

    Free 1-week Residential Bootcamp on healthcare innovation, scaling, and tech applications.

    Incubation & Patent Support

    Access to RuBI incubation and IPFC patent support — completely free of cost.

    Challenge Process

    Your Journey to Impact

    Opening of applications

    Applications open for the AI for Healthy India Challenge.

    3 Dec 2025 – 25 Dec 2025

    First round shortlist (internal)

    Internal shortlisting of approximately top 40–50 applications.

    29 Dec 2025

    Virtual workshop for shortlisted entries

    A virtual workshop and mentoring session for shortlisted teams.

    31 Dec 2025

    Resubmission (if applicable)

    Shortlisted teams may resubmit improved entries after the workshop.

    3 Jan 2026

    Winners announced

    Cash and non-cash awards announced for the winning startups.

    6 Jan 2026

    Exhibition & Mahakumbh / Grand Finale participation

    Selected teams exhibit at Mahakumbh and participate in the Startup Grand Challenge finale in Delhi.

    Around 15 Jan 2026

    6-day residential intensive workshop

    All-paid 6-day residential workshop for 20 selected startups with mentors and investors.

    14 Feb – 19 Feb 2026

    Pitching to investors

    Selected teams pitch to investors for follow-on funding.

    20 Feb – 21 Feb 2026
    FAQs

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Students, professionals, researchers, startups, and MSMEs are welcome to apply. Minimum age requirement is 15 years. DPIIT-registered startups or individuals committed to register within 6 months are eligible.

    Yes, teams with Indian operations are welcome. International teams with Indian operations and presence are eligible to participate.

    Yes! You can apply as an individual or team. If selected, you'll have 6 months to register your startup with DPIIT to claim your award.

    No, participation is completely free! There are no registration fees or hidden charges.

    We welcome AI-powered healthcare solutions in preventive care, mother & child health, equitable healthcare access, or any cross-sector healthcare innovation. Ideas can be at any stage - from concept to MVP.

    Selected participants get access to mentorship, free bootcamps, incubation support, patent assistance via IPFC, networking with investors, and a platform to showcase their innovations before industry experts.