• A cash prize of INR 5 lakh shall be awarded to one winning Startup in each of the subsectors
• The Winners and Runners up shall be given priority for participation in various National and International Startup events sponsored by DPIIT

The Eligibility Criteria for Startups is as follows:

STARTUPS

• The entity should be a DPIIT-recognised startup. The entity must submit their certificate of incorporation or partnership deed
• The entity must have a hardware or software product or a process solution that is present in the market
• The entity must have all applicable trade-specific registrations (example: CE, FSSAI, MSME, GST Registration, etc.)
• There should not have been any default in the last three years (FY17-18, 18-19, 19-20) by the entity or any of its promoters or any of their group entities
• The entity must submit Audited Financial Statements (Balance Sheet, Profit and Loss Account) for the last three financial years (FY 2017-18, 18-19, 19-20). In case of unavailability of audited financial statements for FY 2019-20, the entity may submit provisional financial statement for FY 2019-20 issued by a chartered accountant

The following rules will be followed:

I. Participation in the National Startup Awards is voluntary

II. Startups/Incubators/Accelerators who have won in their respective category in the National Startup Awards 2020 will not be eligible to apply for the National Startup Awards 2021

III. One startup can nominate itself in a maximum of two categories.

IV. Award application form is to be filled in English only

V. Finalists may be subject to a legal due diligence review by independent third-party evaluators. If the individual or organisation refuses to make such a request, DPIIT holds the right to select the next highest-scoring Nominee as the Award winner.

VI. By participating in the National Startup Awards, the startups, nominators, and ecosystem enablers agree to the Government of India’s and its partners' use of its name, URL, photos, and videos for promotional purposes on its website and other promotional material

VII. Any false information provided within the context of National Startup Awards by any entity concerning identity, mailing address, telephone number, email address, ownership of right, or non-compliance with these rules or any terms and conditions or the like may result in the immediate elimination of the entity from the Awards process

VIII. The decisions of the jury and the implementation committee shall be final and binding. At the discretion of the jury, awards may not be presented in any Sector or sub-sector if a deserving entity is not found

IX. All Support Agency(s), Jury, shall sign (physically or digitally) a non-disclosure agreement with DPIIT

X. DPIIT reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the National Startup Awards or not award any entity in any sector or sub-sector. DPIIT further reserves the right to disqualify any candidate or entity that tampers with the submission process, commits fraud, or is in violation of criminal and/or civil laws

XI. DPIIT reserves the right to seek additional details and share necessary information with other stakeholders

XII. Allowances shall not be paid to any entity for travel or presentation before Jury