July 15, 2025: India’s top recognition for breakthrough startups is back. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, has officially launched National Startup Awards 2025 (NSA 5.0) and entries are now open.
This fifth edition is part of the broader Startup India movement, which aims to power India’s journey toward a self-reliant, $5 trillion economy. Startups across sectors are encouraged to apply and present how they are solving real-world challenges with scalable, sustainable innovation.
More than a competition, NSA is a national platform for visibility, validation, and growth. It’s designed to identify high-potential startups that go beyond profitability, ventures that are solving for impact, inclusion, and innovation.
The recognition has proven to be a game-changer. Winners often gain faster access to investors, grants, government partnerships, and opportunities to scale internationally.
What’s New in National Startup Awards (NSA 5.0) ?
National Startup Awards (NSA) 2025 continues its legacy of celebrating startups that stand out for their originality, scalability, and alignment with national priorities. Each year, new sectors are introduced to reflect evolving challenges, from cybersecurity to clean energy, healthtech to agritech.
Applications go through a multi-stage evaluation process, involving screening, shortlisting, and in-depth review by panels of industry leaders, investors, academics, and policymakers.
Who Should Apply?
Any Indian startup with DPIIT recognition is eligible. Sectors include but are not limited to:
- Agriculture & Rural Development
- Health & Wellness
- Education
- Aerospace & Defence
- Fintech
- Sustainability & Clean Tech
- Accessibility & Assistive Tech
If your startup is creating social or economic impact and has the potential to scale nationally or globally, NSA 2025 wants to hear your story.
Since its launch in 2019, the National Startup Awards has received thousands of applications, spotlighting ventures from all corners of India, especially Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities.
Some noteworthy past winners include:
Innaumation Medical Devices, known for affordable voice prostheses, went on to gain international acclaim.
Micob, which secured defence partnerships via the iDEX program.
Blackfrog Technologies, whose vaccine transport solution, Emvolio, is now deployed across India and multiple countries abroad.
Ready to Apply?
Applications are now live and can be submitted here:
Whether you’re building for impact, innovation, or inclusion. NSA 5.0 could be the platform that puts your startup on India’s national stage.
Launched in 2016, Startup India is a flagship initiative by the Government of India, aimed at nurturing innovation, simplifying regulations, and boosting entrepreneurship. Over 1.75 lakh startups have already been recognised, spanning sectors like deep tech, healthcare, education, agriculture, and more.
The National Startup Awards 2025 isn’t just an accolade, it’s a launchpad for the next generation of Indian entrepreneurs. If you’ve built something that matters, now is the time to step forward and showcase your impact.
