{
  "id": 9418962,
  "title": "‘Seva First Innovation Challenge’ Opens Applications With ₹5-Crore Prize Pool For Technology Solutions Across States",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/seva-first-innovation-challenge-opens-applications-with-5-crore-prize",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-23T21:05:06.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/mumbai/seva-first-innovation-challenge-opens-applications-with-5-crore-prize-pool-for-technology-solutions-across-states"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The 'Seva First Innovation Challenge' officially opened its application process on Wednesday, inviting innovators from Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh, and Daman and Diu to propose technology-driven solutions for public service and developmental issues. The challenge spans ten sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, women's safety, urban development, environment, defence, artificial intelligence, education, and employability. The initiative, organized as a multi-state competition, encourages practical and technology-based solutions to real-world problems until October 17, 2026. Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha emphasized that the challenge aims to identify innovative ideas that address practical issues rather than merely recognizing them. Selected innovations may be considered for pilot projects, government procurement, incubation, investment, and market access. The challenge welcomes participants such as individuals, students, researchers, startups, MSMEs, companies, social organizations, educational institutions, and innovation teams in one of the identified sectors. The prize pool totals ₹5 crore, with five winners receiving ₹10 lakh each in each sector. Categories include a women's category, winners below 21, and an open category. The organizers anticipate receiving between 1,500 and 2,000 applications, which will undergo an initial eligibility check, online expert assessment, and technical and impact evaluation. Around 200 innovators will be selected for a final showcase in Nagpur on December 7, 2026. The event aims not only to award prizes but to create an innovation ecosystem, with opportunities for pilot projects, government procurement, and market access. A special employment fair for women will also be organized as part of the Employment Mahakumbh.",
  "summary": "Mumbai: The application process for the ‘Seva First Innovation Challenge’ began on Wednesday, providing innovators from Maharashtra, Goa, Chhattisgarh and the Union Territory of Daman and Diu an opportunity to showcase technology-driven solutions to challenges in public services and development. Focus On Real-World Problems Across 10 Sectors The initiative is being organised as a multi-state…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}