NIDHI–PRAYAS: Complete Guide to India’s ₹10 Lakh Prototype Development Grant
- klub zero
- Aug 9
- 6 min read
Launched in 2016 by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), NIDHI–PRAYAS (Promoting and Accelerating Young and Aspiring Innovators & Startups) is a flagship pre‑incubation initiative under the broader NIDHI program.
It is designed to bridge the crucial funding gap during the early stage of product innovation by offering grant support—up to ₹10 lakhs—to help innovators transform their ideas into physical prototypes.
Administered through DST‑recognized PRAYAS Centres hosted at leading academic and incubation institutions, the scheme provides comprehensive support including prototype funding, access to fab labs and infrastructure, technical mentorship, and business facilitation. By enabling experimentation at minimal risk, NIDHI‑PRAYAS empowers early‑stage innovators who may lack collateral, revenue, or an operational MVP.
Across diverse domains such as healthcare, clean technology, agriculture, robotics, IoT, and electronics, hundreds of innovators have advanced from concept to proof-of-concept through this scheme. The program also promotes innovation infrastructure—including PRAYAS Shalas—in Tier II and Tier III cities, democratizing access to prototyping facilities nationwide.
As of early 2025, NIDHI‑PRAYAS has supported approximately 1,900 PRAYASEEs, resulting in the development of 1,268 prototypes, With each grant capped at ₹10 lakhs, the total prototype funding disbursed is estimated around ₹190 crores—not including additional capital spent on setting up and operating PRAYAS Centres (which typically receive up to ₹220 lakhs each)
How Much Funding Can You Get Under NIDHI–PRAYAS?
Under the NIDHI–PRAYAS scheme, eligible innovators can receive a grant of up to ₹10 lakh to build a prototype of their technology-based idea. This is not a loan or equity investment—it’s a non-repayable grant, meaning you don’t have to return the money or give up ownership in your startup.
The grant is intended to help you move from idea to working prototype—a key step before market launch, startup formation, or pitching to investors.
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
You can use the grant for anything directly related to building your prototype, such as:
Buying raw materials and electronic/mechanical components
Accessing 3D printing, CAD design tools, or fab lab machinery
Paying for design, modeling, testing, or validation
Hiring expert consultants (for development help, not business advice)
This grant ensures that technical innovation gets the resources it needs—without wasting funds on unrelated expenses.
What’s Not Covered?
NIDHI–PRAYAS funding cannot be used for:
Salaries or stipends
Business registration or IP (patent/trademark) filings
Marketing, advertising, or branding
Office space or manufacturing setup
Legal, accounting, or admin expenses
The focus is strictly on building and validating the product.
How Is the Grant Disbursed?
You don’t receive the entire ₹10 lakh up front. Instead, the amount is released in three stages, linked to your progress:
Installment | When You Get It | Approx. % |
First Installment | After approval and signing of agreement | ~40% |
Second Installment | Once you’ve used 80% of the first and met initial milestones | ~40% |
Final Installment | After near-completion of the prototype and final review | ~20% |
Beneficiaries & Impact Highlights from NIDHI–PRAYAS
Metric | Value |
Innovators supported | ~2,214 (up to early 2025) |
Prototypes built | ~1,495 |
Patents filed | ~960 |
Follow-on funding raised | ₹817.16 crore |
Revenue generated | ₹363.32 crore |
Employment created | 9,286 jobs |
Startups Funded by NIDHI–PRAYAS (Across Multiple Centres)
Startup Name | Founder(s) | Innovation / Focus Area |
Abyom Space Tech & Defence Pvt Ltd | Jainul Abedin | Portable micro-level rocket engine testing system (Aerospace) |
PaperPro (M‑Lense Research Pvt Ltd) | Dhruv Tomar & Rajat Jain | Milk adulteration testing card (Healthcare) |
Aumsat Technologies LLP | Riddhish Soni & Chetan Soni | Groundwater detection & pipeline leak analytics via satellite-derived radar (Deeptech) |
Techno Orchard LLP | Rafia Mushtaq | AI-based robotic pruner for apple orchards (Agritech) |
Green Innovotech Solutions Pvt Ltd | Harjeet Singh | Solar thermal waste pyrolysis system (CleanTech) |
Khaliyav Robotics Pvt Ltd | Vikrant Yadav | Intelligent construction machinery for building automation (Construction Tech) |
Cellsinvitro Lifesciences Pvt Ltd | Satyam Aggarwal | Saliva-based point-of-care testing (POCT) for cancer detection (Healthtech) |
Mednovate Pvt Ltd | Arita Abrol | Respiratory NIV mask for enteral nutrition in critical care (Healthtech) |
Nettoyer Automotives Pvt Ltd | Ravindra & Gopal Ramswaroop Joshi | Rare-earth-free traction motors (Automotive Tech) |
Others (e.g., Dagriation, Khaliyav, Mednovate, etc.) | Various | Multi-domain innovations (Deeptech, Agritech, CleanTech, Healthtech) |
List of NIDHI–PRAYAS Centres by State
State | City & Incubator / Centre |
Andhra Pradesh | SPMVV TBI (SSIIE), Tirupati |
Goa | FIIRE (Don Bosco), Goa |
Gujarat | Ahmedabad University Venture Studio, Ahmedabad |
iCreate, Ahmedabad | |
Savli Technology & Business Incubator, Vadodara | |
IIT Gandhinagar Innovation & Entrepreneurship Centre | |
PDEU Innovation & Incubation Centre, Gandhinagar | |
Karnataka | Jyothy Institute of Technology TBI, Bengaluru |
C‑CAMP (Centre for Cellular & Molecular Platforms), Bengaluru | |
Derbi Foundation, Bengaluru | |
IKP Eden Incubator, Bengaluru | |
SIO – IISc (Society for Innovation & Development), Bengaluru | |
Sandboxstart Hub (DFMail), Hubli | |
Manipal Universal TBI (MUTBI Society), Manipal | |
SJCE‑STEP Incubator, Mysuru | |
Kerala | NIT Calicut Technology Business Incubator, Calicut |
Technopark TBI (Kerala Startup Mission), Thiruvananthapuram | |
Maharashtra | SINE, IIT Bombay, Mumbai |
Venture Center (Entrepreneurship Development Center), Pune | |
COEP’s Bhau Institute, Pune | |
SPTBI (Sardar Patel TBI), Mumbai | |
RiiDL (Research Incubation Design Labs), Mumbai | |
Punjab / Chandigarh | Chitkara Innovation Incubator Foundation (CIIF), Punjab / Chandigarh |
Tamil Nadu | DETI@ACE PRAYAS Centre, Hosur |
Agri Business Incubation Society Technology Business Incubator (ABIS‑TBI), TNAU, Coimbatore | |
Foundation for Innovation & Research in Science & Technology (FIRST), location across Tamil Nadu | |
Amrita TBI, Coimbatore | |
Centre of Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB – Atal Incubation Centre), Hyderabad | |
IIITD Innovation & Incubation Center, Delhi (serving innovators from diverse states) | |
KIIT TBI (KIIT University), Bhubaneswar, Odisha | |
West Bengal | TIDES (IIT Roorkee) TBI, Uttarakhand/West Bengal |
Others | Technology Incubation & Entrepreneurship Development Society (TIDES), IIT Roorkee |
Eligibility Criteria
Category | Requirement |
Nationality | Must be an Indian citizen |
Age | Minimum 18 years old |
Applicant Type | - Individual innovator (not necessarily incorporated) - Startup (≤ 7 years old, with DIPP/DPIIT recognition) |
Startup Ownership | For startups: ≥ 51% Indian ownership |
Revenue Status | Startup must not have annual turnover > ₹25 lakh at time of application |
Funding History | Idea/startup must not have received similar government grants previously |
Project Scope | Must aim to develop a physical prototype of a tech/science-based idea |
Project Stage | Should be pre-commercialization (i.e., not already market-ready) |
Timeline | Prototype should be completed within 18 months of funding |
Technology Domain | Focus on deep-tech: manufacturing, clean-tech, healthcare, IoT, agri-tech, etc. |
Employment Status | Employed/students must submit a No Objection Certificate (NOC) |
IP Ownership | All IP developed must remain with the innovator or startup |
Not Eligible | - Service-only businesses - Pure software apps or platforms - Fully commercialized products - Academic research with no business intent |
When to Apply for NIDHI–PRAYAS?
Application Calls Are Periodic
Calls for applications are announced by DST-recognized PRAYAS Centres on:
Their official websites
The main portal: nidhi-prayas.org
Partner platforms like f6s.com
1–2 Calls per Centre per Year
Most PRAYAS Centres release one or two calls annually, depending on their funding cycle and cohort capacity.
Application Window
Each call is typically open for 30–45 days. Submitting early is advised to allow for clarification or updates.
Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process usually takes 4–5 months from submission to first fund disbursement.
Step | Action | Details | Approx. Duration |
1 | Check for Open Calls | Visit nidhi-prayas.org or the specific PRAYAS Centre website. | During the 30–45 day application window |
2 | Select a PRAYAS Centre | Choose a centre based on proximity, domain fit, or infrastructure. | Immediate |
3 | Register Online (if portal-based) | Some centres use platforms like F6S; others have internal application forms. | 1–2 days |
4 | Prepare Proposal & Documents | Submit your proposal, tech brief, budget plan, and supporting documents. | 7–10 days (ideally) |
5 | Submit Application | Submit the full application before the closing date. | Before deadline |
6 | Screening & Shortlisting | Centre evaluates eligibility, innovation value, and documentation. | 2–4 weeks after closing |
7 | Pitch Presentation / Interview | Shortlisted applicants pitch before a Selection Committee (online/offline). | 1–2 weeks after shortlisting |
8 | Final Selection & Offer Letter | Selected applicants are informed and sent a formal confirmation/offer letter. | 1–2 weeks post-pitch |
9 | Agreement & Onboarding | Sign grant agreement and complete fund setup formalities. | Within 2 weeks of selection |
10 | First Tranche Disbursement | Based on milestone plan submission and approval. | 3–4 weeks after onboarding |
Evaluation Criteria (Indicative Weightage)
Criteria | Weightage |
Problem-Solution Fit | 25% |
Prototype Feasibility | 20% |
Technical & Business Clarity | 20% |
Budget & Milestone Plan | 15% |
Presentation & Team Strength | 15% |
Commitment & Execution Readiness | 5% |
Documents Required for Application
Document | Purpose |
Identity Proof (Aadhaar/PAN) | For individual applicant or startup founder verification |
Company Registration Certificate | Mandatory if applying as a startup |
DPIIT Startup India Certificate | Optional, adds credibility |
Budget/Utilization Plan | How the grant (₹10L max) will be spent across milestones |
Project Proposal / Technical Note | Describes the innovation, technology base, and prototype development plan |
Pitch Deck | Optional but recommended (concise problem-solution-market overview) |
Proof of Concept (if available) | Prior models, sketches, diagrams, or evidence of initial experimentation |
No Objection Certificate (NOC) | Required if applicant is employed or studying |
Bank Details (Post-Selection) | For setting up fund disbursement |
Passport Photo | Required for onboarding documentation |
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