NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 Grant 2026: Eligibility, ₹20–40 Lakh Prototype Support and How to Apply
Many innovators have a technically promising idea but need money, equipment and guidance before the idea can become a working prototype. The NIDHI-PRAYAS programme, run by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, is designed for this idea-to-prototype gap. Its current NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 page describes prototype support through PRAYAS Centres (PCs) and Advance PRAYAS Centres (APCs), with support of up to ₹20 lakh at a PC and up to ₹40 lakh at an APC per innovator or startup [1].
The programme is not a general business loan and it is not a grant for every type of startup. The official innovators page describes support for physical prototypes, advanced prototypes and MVP-stage work, while excluding pure software development, e-commerce, service and app-based solutions [2]. Applicants should also understand the difference between the original NIDHI-PRAYAS overview, which states a maximum of ₹10 lakh, and the newer PRAYAS 2.0 structure, which publishes the PC/APC ceilings. The applicable current programme guidelines and centre call should control the application [1] [3].
Direct answer: NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 is a DST programme that supports eligible innovators and startups in building and validating prototypes. A PRAYAS Centre may support up to ₹20 lakh, while an Advance PRAYAS Centre may support up to ₹40 lakh, subject to eligibility, selection, the applicable guidelines and the centre’s call [1] [2].
NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 opportunity details
| Field | Verified position as of 25 August 2026 |
|---|---|
| Opportunity name | NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 |
| Provider | Department of Science and Technology, Government of India |
| Programme family | NIDHI — National Initiative for Developing and Harnessing Innovations |
| Country | India |
| Funding type | Prototype grant / financial assistance; not a loan or equity investment |
| PRAYAS Centre support | Up to ₹20 lakh per innovator or startup [1] |
| Advance PRAYAS Centre support | Up to ₹40 lakh per innovator or startup [1] |
| Project duration | The current innovators page states a maximum duration of 15 months [2] |
| Stage | Idea to prototype, advanced prototype or MVP-stage development; proposals beyond MVP are not eligible according to the current innovators page [2] |
| Broad sector | Sector-agnostic under the DST overview, with technology and knowledge-based prototype focus [3] |
| Applicant types | Students, researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and startups, subject to the current guidelines [3] |
| Application route | Individual innovators and startups apply through selected PRAYAS Centres; centres publish calls [3] |
| Current deadline | No single nationwide innovator deadline was verified; applicants must check the selected centre’s live notice |
| Official pages | DST NIDHI-PRAYAS and NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 |
What is NIDHI-PRAYAS?
NIDHI-PRAYAS stands for Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators and Startups. The DST overview says the programme aims to help young innovators translate innovative ideas into prototypes and provides access to TBI infrastructure, mentoring, technical and financial advice, industry connections and related support [3].
The programme is implemented through incubators and PRAYAS Centres rather than through one universal direct-to-founder application window. The DST page says that startups and innovators apply through selected PRAYAS Centres at technology business incubators, while incubators apply to implement the programme through open calls on the NIDHI-PRAYAS PMU website [3].
NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 expands this structure. The official page describes ordinary PRAYAS Centres for prototype funding up to ₹20 lakh and Advance PRAYAS Centres for deep-tech innovations and advanced prototypes up to ₹40 lakh [1]. The public innovators page adds a maximum project duration of 15 months and provides the current applicant-level qualification details [2].
How the PC and APC routes differ
The most important decision is choosing the centre route that matches the maturity and complexity of the technology.
| Route | Published support ceiling | Suitable focus | Key caution |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRAYAS Centre (PC) | Up to ₹20 lakh [1] | Prototype development and proof-of-concept work | The proposal must still satisfy the centre’s call and the current guidelines. |
| Advance PRAYAS Centre (APC) | Up to ₹40 lakh [1] | Deep-tech, advanced prototypes and stronger technology de-risking | The current innovators page describes additional deep-tech and prototype expectations [2]. |
A new applicant who has not received PRAYAS 1.0 or 2.0 support may apply at both a PC and an APC, subject to the current programme rules [2]. The innovators page states that a recipient of PRAYAS 1.0 may apply under PRAYAS 2.0 only at an APC, with total support for the innovation capped at ₹40 lakh including earlier PRAYAS support [2].
Do not assume that applying to the APC is automatically better. A project that needs a first physical prototype may fit a PC more naturally, while an advanced deep-tech prototype with defined technical milestones may be better aligned with an APC. The centre’s evaluation committee and the current guidelines determine the final route.
Who can apply for NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0?
The current public innovators page describes two broad applicant pathways: an individual innovator without a startup and an Indian startup [2]. The following requirements are taken from that current page and should be checked against the latest official guidelines before submission.
Individual innovators
An individual innovator without a startup may apply. The applicant must be at least 18 years old on the application date and must demonstrate clear ownership of, or a licensed right to use, the intellectual property underpinning the proposed prototype [2]. Where a team is involved, the team must agree on a lead innovator who will apply, and the IP arrangement should be documented.
The current page encourages individual innovators receiving support to formally incorporate as a DPIIT-registered startup within six to eight months of receiving support [2]. This is described as an encouragement or progression path, not as a claim that every applicant already needs to be a DPIIT-recognized company.
Startups
For startups, the current innovators page states that the entity must have been incorporated in India for no more than five years as of the application date. It also states that at least 51% of the startup’s equity must be held by Indian citizens and that annual turnover must not have exceeded ₹1 crore in any financial year since incorporation [2]. The founder must be at least 18 years old, and the applicant must demonstrate ownership of, or a licensed right to use, the IP underpinning the prototype [2].
The same page says that an applicant or startup that has cumulatively received more than ₹40 lakh in grant funding from government schemes or programmes is not eligible for NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 support, and that total PRAYAS 2.0 support for an innovation should not exceed ₹40 lakh including PRAYAS 1.0 support [2]. Applicants should calculate prior government grant support carefully and disclose it accurately.
What projects are not considered?
The current NIDHI-PRAYAS innovators page lists several exclusions. It says that pure software development, e-commerce, service solutions and app-based solutions are not considered [2]. It also excludes funding research or student internships in academic institutions or R&D organisations, and says innovators cannot be supported in parallel under NIDHI-EIR and NIDHI-PRAYAS [2].
These exclusions do not mean that every technology startup is eligible. The proposal must show a physical or advanced prototype pathway, a technology or knowledge basis, a clear IP position and a realistic commercialisation plan. If the main deliverable is a software feature, marketplace, service operation or consumer app, another FundRight funding route may be more suitable.
What can the grant support?
NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 is intended to help innovators build, test, validate and refine prototypes. The official page describes prototype funding, fabrication labs and infrastructure, technical and business mentoring, IP and legal assistance, and industry and investor connections [1].
The precise eligible cost heads and release conditions must come from the current programme guidelines and the selected centre’s call. A responsible budget should connect each proposed expense to a technical milestone. For example, an applicant might map material, equipment, testing or fabrication requirements to a defined prototype output, but should not claim that any particular expense is permitted until the current guidelines confirm it.
The current innovators page also states that a sustenance allowance of up to 20% of the approved grant may be possible for an innovator or founding team with no other source of income during the project term, subject to conditions and committee approval [2]. This is not an automatic benefit; it depends on the published conditions and the approving committee.
How to apply for NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0
Step 1: Confirm the prototype fit
Write a one-page description of the problem, technology, current starting point, prototype to be built, users, IP position, validation tests and commercialisation route. If the output is only software, e-commerce, an app or a service, review the exclusion language before investing time in an application [2].
Step 2: Choose PC or APC
Compare the maturity and complexity of the technology with the published PC and APC descriptions. New applicants may be able to apply to either route, while PRAYAS 1.0 recipients have additional APC and cumulative-support rules [2].
Step 3: Find a suitable PRAYAS Centre
The DST overview links to the official list of NIDHI-PRAYAS Centres [3]. Review centres for technical fit, geography, facilities, sector experience, call status and application instructions. Do not assume that every centre accepts applications at all times.
Step 4: Check the centre’s live call
Individual innovators and startups apply through selected PRAYAS Centres, not through a single universal deadline stated on the DST overview [3]. Read the centre’s current notice for its deadline, documents, selection process, permitted prototype categories and submission link. The deadline is centre-specific unless an official national notice says otherwise.
Step 5: Prepare evidence and submit
Prepare proof of age and citizenship where required, incorporation and ownership documents for a startup, IP ownership or licence evidence, prior funding declarations, prototype specifications, milestone plan, budget and commercialisation roadmap. Submit through the official route named in the active centre call.
Step 6: Plan for monitoring and commercialisation
The programme is designed to move technology toward a working prototype and eventual commercialisation. Set measurable milestones, preserve project records and prepare for technical and financial monitoring. The objective is not simply to receive a grant; it is to produce credible evidence that can support customers, licensing, future grants, investors or a startup.
How NIDHI-PRAYAS compares with other FundRight opportunities
NIDHI-PRAYAS is a prototype-focused innovation programme. It should not be confused with general startup seed support, biotech-specific grants or credit guarantees.
| Funding need | Related FundRight route |
|---|---|
| Sector-agnostic idea-to-prototype support | NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 |
| Biotechnology proof-of-concept grant | BIRAC BIG guide |
| DPIIT-recognized startup seed support | SISFS guide |
| Startup debt backed by a credit guarantee | CGSS guide |
| Broader discovery across grants, funds, subsidies and loans | FundRight directory |
FundRight’s profile and eligibility checker can help organise stage, sector, company type and state information. The funds tracker can help record the centre, call deadline, documents and follow-up status after an official opportunity has been verified.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 grant?
It is a DST programme that helps eligible innovators and startups convert technology and knowledge-based ideas into prototypes. PRAYAS 2.0 provides up to ₹20 lakh through a PRAYAS Centre and up to ₹40 lakh through an Advance PRAYAS Centre, subject to the current rules and selection [1].
Is NIDHI-PRAYAS a loan?
No. The programme is described as prototype funding and financial assistance, not as a commercial loan or equity investment [1] [3]. The current guidelines and grant terms determine reporting and use-of-funds conditions.
Can a student apply without a registered startup?
The DST overview lists students among the beneficiaries, and the current innovators page allows an individual innovator without a startup to apply subject to the stated conditions, including minimum age and IP rights [2] [3]. A student employed or enrolled in an institution should check whether a no-objection or IP arrangement is required by the current call.
What is the maximum NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 amount?
The current PRAYAS 2.0 page publishes up to ₹20 lakh for a PRAYAS Centre and up to ₹40 lakh for an Advance PRAYAS Centre [1]. The amount is a ceiling and not a guaranteed award.
Can a pure software startup apply?
The current innovators page states that pure software development, e-commerce, service solutions and app-based solutions are not considered [2]. A proposal should demonstrate the eligible prototype and technology-development pathway.
What is the NIDHI-PRAYAS application deadline?
There is no single nationwide innovator deadline verified in the official DST overview reviewed for this article. Applicants apply through selected PRAYAS Centres, which announce periodic calls. Check the official centre list and the chosen centre’s current notice [3].
Can a startup that already received government grants apply?
The current innovators page states that applicants with cumulative government-scheme grant funding above ₹40 lakh are not eligible for PRAYAS 2.0 support, and total PRAYAS 2.0 support for an innovation cannot exceed ₹40 lakh including PRAYAS 1.0 [2]. Confirm how the current call treats the specific prior grant before applying.
Is an application fee charged?
The current innovators page states that there is no application or participation fee to apply to a PRAYAS Centre [2]. Applicants should still use official centre contact details and be cautious of unauthorised intermediaries.
Conclusion
NIDHI-PRAYAS 2.0 can be a strong fit for an Indian innovator or early-stage startup that needs to build and validate a physical, advanced or deep-tech prototype. The current official structure is clear at a headline level: up to ₹20 lakh through a PRAYAS Centre, up to ₹40 lakh through an Advance PRAYAS Centre, and a maximum project duration of 15 months on the current innovators page [1] [2].
The application is centre-led, so the next practical step is to identify a suitable official PRAYAS Centre and verify its live call. Do not reuse an old deadline, assume every startup type qualifies or treat the maximum amount as automatic approval. Review the latest guidelines, disclose prior government support, document IP rights and link every budget line to a prototype milestone.
For broader funding discovery, explore the FundRight directory, organise your profile through the eligibility checker, and record verified centre calls in the funds tracker. Always verify requirements and deadlines with DST, the NIDHI-PRAYAS PMU or the selected PRAYAS Centre before submitting.