NEW DELHI. The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) has officially launched Navachar Mantra, a landmark national initiative designed to identify, nurture, and scale grassroots innovations and early-stage entrepreneurship across India. Unveiled by Union Minister of State Jayant Chaudhary at IIT Delhi, the programme places a unique focus on empowering untamed talent from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, aspirational districts, and rural communities. Implemented by NIESBUD with IIT Delhi’s Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) as the technical knowledge partner, the initiative aims to bridge the gap between rural ingenuity and national scale by building deep collaborations among government bodies, academia, and industry leaders.

During the launch, which featured an insightful fireside chat with top Indian founders, Minister Chaudhary emphasized that the next global transformation should carry India’s intellectual imprint, urging the youth to look beyond manufacturing and instead pioneer technologies that shape the global future. The program targets critical priority sectors including Agritech, HealthTech, EdTech, Climate and Sustainability, and MSME Enablement, effectively connecting local problem-solvers directly with policymakers, corporate leaders, and investors. Digital applications for the initiative have officially opened and will remain active until July 5, 2026, kicking off a multi-stage expert evaluation process to select high-potential ventures.

Selected innovators will enter a comprehensive, year-long engagement programme packed with dedicated mentorship roundtables, thematic webinars, investor networking sessions, and national storytelling platforms. Beyond strategic guidance on fundraising, intellectual property management, and regulatory compliance, the initiative will facilitate physical pilot projects and market linkages to turn raw ideas into profitable enterprises. Navachar Mantra will ultimately culminate in a massive national showcase event, utilizing ministerial podcasts and digital campaigns to grant grassroots creators high-visibility recognition, thereby strengthening the talent pipeline for a self-reliant, innovation-driven Viksit Bharat.