Lok Sabha Question No. 6113 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Innovate2Educate Challenge
Ministry: INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING
Asked by: Shri Basavaraj Bommai

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6113 TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## INNOVATE2EDUCATE CHALLENGE

## 6113:  SHRI BASAVARAJ BOMMAI

Will the Minister of INFORMATION AND BROADCASTING be pleased to state:

- a) the  details  of  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  ensure  that  the  Innovate2Educate challenge fosters long-term innovation in the field of educational technology;
- b) the manner in which the Government is ensuring widespread participation especially from economically weaker sections and Government school students;
- c) the  details  of  provisions  being  made  to  ensure  that  the  devices  designed  in  the competition are inclusive for children with disabilities such as providing features for visually impaired or neurodivergent learners;
- d) whether any financial support or incentives are likely to be provided for startups and small businesses that wish to commercialise the winning prototypes; and
- e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR INFORMATION & BROADCASTING AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (DR. L. MURUGAN)

## (a) to (e):

The 'Innovate2Educate' challenge under the first season of Create in India Challenge (CIC) was aimed at encouraging innovation by creatively intertwining education and technology. The challenge was focused on designing and development of handheld learning devices by students, startups and innovators.

The challenge framework encouraged participants to design solutions that are innovative and accessible, including for children with diverse learning needs such as visually impaired and neurodivergent  learners.  The  initiative  received  participation  from  across  the  country, including students and innovators from diverse backgrounds. An industry association, with support from the Ministry, executed this challenge and undertook outreach activities in schools, universities etc. This was to ensure wider participation of all stakeholders.

The challenge guidelines prescribed a cost criterion to design and develop handheld devices using  hardware  components  within  a  ceiling  of  ₹1,000.  This  was  aimed  at  promoting affordability, accessibility, and  frugal innovation in educational technology  solutions.

Following mentoring and workshop sessions with the preliminarily selected participants, the solutions were further refined and improved.

A total of 10 finalists were selected from more than 1,800 registrations. The shortlisted teams were provided opportunities to showcase their prototypes at CreatoSphere, WAVES 2025 and engage with industry stakeholders.

In  addition,  the  top  three  winning  teams  were  awarded  prize  money  of  up  to  ₹50,000  in recognition of their  innovation  and  effort.  The designs  and  prototypes  showcased reflected diverse approaches to accessibility, interactive learning and technology-enabled education.

After the Summit, out of the 10 finalist teams, 4 teams have evolved into startups, and 2 of these  startups  are  exploring  incubation  through  WAVEX  Startup  Accelerator  Programme. Through  WAVES  Bazaar  outreach  events,  winners  have  been  provided  opportunities  to interact with potential investors to scale up their solutions.

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