The Indian government has launched the ‘AI by HER Global Impact Challenge’, a global contest for women innovators offering a ₹25 lakh prize for deployable AI solutions that serve the public good.
Key Takeaways
- ₹25 lakh prize for women-led AI solutions with social impact.
- Global competition open to teams with at least two women members.
- Applications open in October 2025 via the MyGov portal.
- Winners announced at the IndiaAI Impact Summit in February 2026.
The initiative, organised by MyGov India in partnership with MeitY and IndiaAI, aims to promote gender equity and inclusive innovation. It invites women innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs worldwide to propose scalable AI solutions for real-world challenges.
Challenge Details and Prize
Participants will compete for a cash prize of ₹25 lakh. The top 10 winners will receive mentorship, exposure, and sponsored participation at the IndiaAI Summit. The top 30 finalists will present their AI solutions to policymakers, global experts, and investors.
Eligibility Criteria
The competition is open globally to women-led teams or individuals. Teams can have up to three members, with at least two women. The lead participant must hold a key leadership role such as Founder, Co-founder, CEO, CTO, or Product/Technical Lead.
Eligible applicants include startups, MSMEs, academic institutions, research bodies, non-profits, and public organisations. Applicants must submit pilot-ready or deployable AI solutions; concept-stage ideas are not accepted. Working professionals need to provide a No-Objection Certificate from their employers.
Application Categories
- Agriculture: Precision farming, pest control, and resource optimisation.
- Cybersecurity and Digital Wellbeing: Privacy, trust, and online safety solutions.
- Education: Accessible and multilingual learning models.
- Healthcare: Diagnostic support, telemedicine, and data-based predictions.
- Energy and Climate: Clean energy and emission monitoring.
- Wildcard/Open Innovation: Interdisciplinary or cross-sector AI solutions.
Application Process and Timeline
Applications will open in October 2025 through the official MyGov portal. The first evaluation round runs from October to November 2025, followed by presentations and bootcamp sessions from November to December 2025. Finalists will present their solutions, and winners will be announced at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi.
For more and opportunities for , stay tuned to official channels.
