New Delhi: The Government of India has opened applications for the Global Impact Challenges under the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, inviting innovators from across the world to develop AI-based solutions with high potential for social and economic transformation.
Announced by the Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, the three global impact challenges – AI for All, AI by HER, and YUVAi – carry a combined prize pool of ₹5.85 crore. Applications are open till October 31, 2025, via impact.indiaai.gov.in.
The Global Impact Challenges are designed to foster inclusive, responsible, and scalable AI innovation, providing participants with mentorship, investor access, and opportunities to scale their solutions globally. Winning innovations will be showcased at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 19–20, 2026, in New Delhi.
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AI for All: Global Impact Challenge
The AI for All: Global Impact Challenge calls for AI innovations addressing national and global needs across sectors such as agriculture, climate, sustainability, education, financial inclusion, healthcare, manufacturing, urban mobility, and open innovation.
Awards and Support:
- Up to ₹2.5 crore for the top 10 winners.
- Travel support for 20 finalists (two members per team) to attend the summit.
- Access to mentorship, investor connections, cloud credits, and post-summit accelerator programs.
- Eligibility: Open globally to students, researchers, professionals, startups, and companies with AI solutions at the pilot or scalable stage.
AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge
The AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge – organized by the Women Entrepreneurship Platform (WEP), NITI Aayog – aims to strengthen women-led AI innovations creating tangible social impact. Focus areas include agriculture, digital wellbeing, cybersecurity, education, healthcare, energy, climate, and open innovation.
Awards and Support:
- Up to ₹2.5 crore in awards for the top 10 winners.
- Travel support for up to 30 finalists to attend the summit.
- Virtual bootcamps on Responsible AI, investor readiness, and storytelling.
- Curated investor engagements for up to 30 high-potential teams.
- Eligibility: Open globally to women-led teams, student innovators, and women-led entities with mature or prototype-level AI solutions.
YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge
The YUVAi: Global Youth Challenge focuses on empowering young innovators aged 13–21 years to create AI solutions for public good. Themes include social empowerment, key sector transformation, smart ecosystems, and open innovation.
Awards and Support:
Total prizes worth ₹85 lakh, including:
- ₹15 lakh each for the top 3 winners.
- ₹10 lakh each for the next 3 winners.
- ₹5 lakh each for 2 special recognition awards.
- Travel support for top 20 participants to attend the summit.
- 10-day virtual bootcamps, investor showcases, and inclusion in an online compendium of AI innovations.
- Eligibility: Open globally to young innovators with working prototypes, proof-of-concept models, or deployable AI solutions.
Key Dates for Global Impact Challenges
- Applications open: October 10, 2025
- Submission deadline: October 31, 2025
- Virtual bootcamps: November 2025
- Finalists announcement: December 31, 2025
- Grand showcase: India-AI Impact Summit 2026 (February 19–20, New Delhi)
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Applicants can find detailed eligibility criteria, timelines, and submission guidelines on the official portal www.impact.indiaai.gov.in. All participants are advised to review the instructions carefully and stay updated on announcements regarding shortlisting and participation.
Global Impact Challenges to Drive Responsible and Scalable AI Innovation
Through the Global Impact Challenges, India continues to advance its vision of “AI for All” by fostering inclusive, ethical, and socially beneficial AI development.
