Government announces ‘AI by HER Global Impact Challenge’ with Rs 25 lakh prize: Participation details, eligibility and all other details

Participants of the ‘AI by HER Global Impact Challenge’, an initiative encouraging women-led AI solutions for social and public good with up to Rs 25 lakh in rewards.

The Government of India has launched the AI by HER Global Impact Challenge, a global initiative recognizing women-led artificial intelligence (AI) solutions designed for public good. The challenge promotes inclusive innovation, gender equity, and AI-for-good applications. It aligns with the upcoming IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held in New Delhi on February 19–20, 2026. Organized by MyGov India, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and IndiaAI, the challenge invites women innovators, entrepreneurs, and researchers worldwide to submit AI-based solutions that can address real-world challenges and create scalable social impact.

Challenge Overview
The AI by HER: Global Impact Challenge is a global initiative recognizing women-led AI solutions for public good. The challenge promotes inclusive innovation, gender equity, and AI-for-good applications, aligned with the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi (February 19–20, 2026).
Winners will receive Rs 25 lakh, mentorship, and fully sponsored opportunities to showcase their work at the Summit. The challenge identifies deployable AI solutions that can address real-world problems and inspire scalable adoption through visibility and partnerships.

Eligibility

Open globally to women-led teams, entities, and individual innovators.
Teams can have up to three members, with at least two women.
A woman must hold a key leadership role (Founder, Co-founder, CEO, CTO, or Product/Technical Lead).
Eligible applicants include startups, MSMEs, non-profits, academic and R&D institutions, and public bodies.
Working professionals must provide a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from employers.
Only pilot-ready or deployable AI solutions are accepted; concept-stage ideas are not eligible.

Rewards

Top 10 teams win Rs 25 lakh each.
Top 30 finalists showcase their solutions at the Summit.
Access to global visibility, mentorship, investor connections, and potential cloud or compute credits.
Travel and accommodation for up to two members per team will be covered.
Intellectual property remains with the innovators.

Competition Themes
Submissions are invited in six categories:

Agriculture – AI for precision farming, pest detection, and resource optimization.
Cybersecurity & Digital Wellbeing – AI for privacy, trust, and online safety.
Education – AI for personalized, accessible, and multilingual learning.
Healthcare – AI for diagnostics, telemedicine, and predictive analytics.
Energy & Climate – AI for clean energy, climate adaptation, and emission tracking.

Wildcard/Open Innovation – Novel interdisciplinary solutions across sectors.

Process and Key Dates

October 2025: Challenge launch and application submission open.
October–November 2025: Round 1 evaluation (application screening).
November–December 2025: Round 2 (presentations and bootcamp).
February 2026: Top 30 showcase and winner announcement at the IndiaAI Impact Summit.

Participation Process

Submit applications via the official MyGov Portal using the provided form.
Round 1: Evaluation based on problem clarity, feasibility, impact potential, and team capability.
Round 2: Shortlisted teams pitch to an expert jury after mentorship and bootcamp training.
Finalists present solutions at the Summit before global leaders, policymakers, and investors.