Navachar Mantra Initiative

• Launched by: Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE).

• Objective: To identify, nurture, and scale grassroots innovations and early-stage entrepreneurship.

• Focus Areas: Tier-2/Tier-3 cities, aspirational districts, and rural areas.

• Vision: To shift India from “Made in India” to “Imagined in India” by fostering indigenous technologies.

Key Stakeholders & Implementation:

• Lead Ministry: MSDE.

• Implementation Agency: National Institute for Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development (NIESBUD).

• Technical Knowledge Partner: Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT), IIT Delhi.

• Launch Venue: IIT Delhi.

Priority Sectors The initiative supports innovators in:

• Agritech & HealthTech

• EdTech & Skilling

• Climate & Sustainability

• Rural Commerce

• MSME Enablement

Operational Framework:

• Application Deadline: July 5, 2026.

• Evaluation: Multi-stage process involving experts from academia, industry, investment firms, and government.

• Engagement Period: One-year programme for selected innovators.

Support Ecosystem:

• Mentorship: Roundtables, thematic webinars, and investor interactions.

• Business Development: Guidance on market access, regulatory compliance, IP management, fundraising, and scaling.

• Operational Support: Facilitation of pilot projects, strategic partnerships, and market linkages.

• Visibility: National exposure via ministerial podcasts, digital campaigns, and innovation showcases.

Strategic Goals:

1. Ecosystem Building: Creating a structured pipeline of grassroots innovators.

2. Bridging Gaps: Connecting innovators directly with policymakers, investors, and domain experts.

3. National Vision: Contributing to the realization of a self-reliant and innovation-driven Viksit Bharat.

4. Global Impact: Encouraging solutions that address local challenges but hold global relevance in emerging sectors like AI, semiconductors, green energy, and biotechnology.