Latest news with #StartUpIndia
Entrepreneur
23-06-2025
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Govt Launches INR 2.3 Crore Innovation Challenge to Boost Rooftop Solar Adoption
The competition offers a total prize pool of INR 2.3 crore. The top three winners will receive INR 1 crore, INR 50 lakh, and INR 30 lakh respectively, while ten additional startups will each be awarded INR 5 lakh as consolation prizes You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In a push to accelerate India's transition to clean energy, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched a INR 2.3-crore startup innovation challenge aimed at fostering new technologies in rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy systems, as per PTI. Announced on Saturday during the national conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce, the initiative seeks to attract early-stage ventures working on scalable solutions in green tech and related sectors. According to a statement from the ministry, the "Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge on Rooftop Solar (RTS) and Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) Technologies" is designed to identify high-impact innovations that can speed up the adoption of decentralized solar energy systems across the country. The challenge is being implemented under the aegis of MNRE, with the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) providing technical support, and StartUp India—under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)—coordinating outreach and engagement efforts. The ministry said startups from a diverse set of industries including green technology, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence, blockchain, construction, energy hardware, fintech, and waste management are eligible to apply. The goal is to tap into a wide innovation pool to address operational, financial, and technical barriers in the rooftop solar ecosystem. The competition offers a total prize pool of INR 2.3 crore. The top three winners will receive INR 1 crore, INR 50 lakh, and INR 30 lakh respectively, while ten additional startups will each be awarded INR 5 lakh as consolation prizes. Beyond the financial incentives, selected startups will receive incubation support, access to pilot project implementation, and mentorship from experts and investors associated with MNRE and NISE. "The challenge aims to identify and support breakthrough solutions for India's rooftop solar and distributed renewable energy ecosystem," the MNRE statement noted, emphasizing the ministry's intent to catalyze innovation that can be deployed at scale. With rooftop solar capacity still underperforming relative to targets, the challenge is expected to drive fresh momentum in a sector seen as critical to meeting India's renewable energy goals.
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
MNRE launches ₹2.3 cr Start-Up Challenge to accelerate rooftop solar and distributed energy innovation
NEW DELHI: In a major push to catalyze innovation in India's clean energy sector, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched the Innovative Projects Start-Up Challenge with a total prize pool of ₹2.3 crore. The initiative aims to discover cutting-edge solutions to scale up rooftop solar (RTS) and distributed renewable energy (DRE) technologies across the country, according to an official release on Saturday. The challenge was formally announced during the National Conference on Skill Development for the Renewable Energy Workforce, held at Atal Akshay Urja Bhawan in the capital. It is being implemented with support from the National Institute of Solar Energy (NISE) and coordinated through the StartUp India platform under DPIIT. Four Key Focus Areas for Innovation The Start-Up Challenge invites applications from Indian innovators and start-ups across four mission-critical categories: Affordability: Innovations that make rooftop solar more accessible to low- and middle-income households through modular systems, circular economy practices, and novel financing models. Resilience: Technologies that improve grid stability, enhance cybersecurity, and ensure climate resilience, especially for remote and vulnerable communities. Inclusivity: Community-based models like virtual net metering and inclusive financing to widen solar access in underserved regions. Environmental Sustainability : Eco-friendly approaches such as solar panel recycling, land-neutral deployments, and hybrid renewable systems. Start-ups from diverse sectors including green tech, IoT, AI, blockchain, energy hardware, fintech, and waste management are encouraged to apply. Prize Money and Incubation Support Winners of the challenge stand to gain significant financial and institutional support: 1st Prize: ₹1 crore2nd Prize: ₹50 lakh3rd Prize: ₹30 lakh10 Consolation Prizes: ₹5 lakh each In addition to the monetary awards, selected participants will receive incubation support, pilot implementation opportunities, and mentorship from domain experts and investors. Challenge Timeline Application Deadline: August 20, 2025 Results Announcement: September 10, 2025 Apply via: Startup India Portal Driving India's Energy Transition The ministry said this initiative reflects MNRE's continued commitment to building a robust innovation ecosystem for India's clean energy future. By fostering scalable, inclusive, and sustainable solutions, the government aims to make rooftop solar and DRE mainstream components of India's renewable energy mix, it added.
Time of India
13-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
PM Modi has fulfilled humongous tasks: Vaishnaw on 11 years
NEW DELHI: India has moved from "silence to surgical precision" in giving bold and proportionate responses to cross-border terrorism, BJP said Thursday, referring to , as it highlighted the achievements of Modi government in the last 11 years. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The party said the country has grown faster on all fronts and people's lives have been transformed in these years. Humongous tasks have been fulfilled under PM Modi's leadership to put the country on the path of "long-term growth", Union I&B minister Ashwani Vaishnaw said at an event to mark the Modi govt's 11 years. He made a presentation on the Modi government's 'seva, sushashan and gareeb kalyan'. BJP chief J P Nadda, Union ministers Amit Shah, Rajnath Singh, Nitin Gadkari & Nirmala Sitharaman were among those present at the event. In its presentation, BJP said India became a global powerhouse under Modi, with per capita GDP increasing from Rs 86,647 in FY 2014 to Rs 2 lakh in FY 2025 due to structural economic reforms. 'Start Up India' scheme provided small loans to empower grassroots entrepreneurs to shift from "survival to growth" and make a "big impact", it said. RBI's financial inclusion index surged from 43 in 2017 to 64 in 2024 with the implementation of the 'PM Jan Dhan Yojna' and other measures.
India Gazette
10-06-2025
- Politics
- India Gazette
Modi govt invested Rs 44,859 crore in over 3,600 projects for Northeast: Union Minister Sonowal
New Delhi [India], June 10 (ANI): Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal, strongly countered the Congress party's criticism of the Modi government's performance over the past 11 years, asserting that the grand old party has 'forfeited the right to criticise' in the court of the people. Emphasising the transformative progress made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the Minister said the Congress, which neglected the people's aspirations for more than six decades, now stands exposed before a new India that rewards performance and punishes apathy. 'Congress has lost all moral rights. They had destroyed the prospect of the Northeast when they misgoverned the country for more than six decades. The dark days of Congress governments were filled with violence, insurgency, terrorism that dragged our beautiful region into a vortex of deprivation, devastation, discord and division. Peace was a distant dream. This was reversed only with the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, who took decisive steps to transform the region, respect the aspirations of the people, find solutions, usher a new era of peace and brotherhood, and ultimately, transform it as the Growth Engine of new India,' said Sarbananda Sonowal. Addressing a press conference in Shillong, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the significant achievements of the PM Modi led government over 11 years and explained how it delivered unprecedented welfare benefits to every section of the society -- uplifting the poor 'Garib Kalyan', empowering the women 'Nari Shakti', transforming agriculture 'Krishak Kalyan' and empowering the youth through skill-based training and employment opportunities through innovative policy action via Start Up India or Digital India campaigns. Sonowal also underlined how more than 2.19 lakh farmers benefited from the Mission Organic Value Chain Development, 434 Farmer Producer Organisations formed, covering 1.73 lakh hectares. Sarbananda Sonowal said, 'Under the dynamic leadership of PM Modi, the Govt is working towards building Viksit Bharat during this Amrit Kala by focusing on 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan' (Service, Good Governance and Welfare of the Poor). Over 81 crore people now receive free rations under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, more than 15 crore rural households have access to tap water under 'Har Ghar Jal', and Rs 3.7 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers through PM-KISAN. 'Women's empowerment has seen historic strides--from 33 per cent reservation in legislatures under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to direct benefit transfers for more than 3.9 crore pregnant women, and the historic admission of women into the National Defence Academy (NDA),' he added. Since 2014, the Modi government has brought the Northeast into the mainstream of India's development journey with unprecedented investment and focused attention. The Northeast has emerged transformative, 'Insurgency has declined by 64 per cent since 2014, and AFSPA has been withdrawn from 75 per cent of the region,' added Sonowal. The government has approved over 3,600 projects worth Rs 44,859 crore, built 10 greenfield airports, and expanded connectivity and organic farming through focused missions. 'Under PM Modi's leadership, the Northeast is being repositioned not as a peripheral zone, but as India's vital Gateway to the East, with peace, progress, and prosperity at its core,' Sonowal further said. Sarbananda Sonowal highlighted the immense possibilities of the tourism sector in the region. Tourism-led growth has emerged as a key pillar of Meghalaya's development under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. Sonowal said, 'Shillong is a beautiful city, Meghalaya is a gift of Mother Earth. We must celebrate her with utmost sincerity and ensure sustainable development through harnessing the immense possibilities in the tourism sector. The boom in tourism in the state is a positive sign as Meghalaya has become a destination of choice for most domestic and international tourists visiting India. Meghalaya is a shining example of the success of schemes like Swadesh Darshan.' He said that the Modi Government sanctioned Rs 244 crore to boost Sustainable Tourism, which has created potential in iconic destinations like Umium Lake, Sohpetbneng, Krang Suri Falls, Siju Caves, and Nokrek Reserve, which are being transformed into world-class tourist attractions. 'From waterfall trails to the Meghalayan Age Cave Experience, the focus on sustainable and immersive tourism has revitalised local economies and created livelihood opportunities. Spiritual and heritage sites like Nartiang and Mawphlang villages are also being promoted under niche tourism categories, positioning Meghalaya as a vibrant destination within India's Northeast tourism circuit,' he added. Landmark initiatives such as establishing South Asia's largest cancer care network in Assam reflect the government's commitment to bridging decades of neglect. The recently held Rising North East Investors Summit 2025 further reinforced this vision, securing Rs 4.3 lakh crore in investment commitments that promise to unlock the region's economic potential and generate widespread employment. 'For decades under successive Congress Govts, the Northeast remained on the margins, but under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the region realised its true potential to become a centre of development, connectivity, and opportunity. The scale of investment and transformation we see today reflects our deep commitment to the people of the Northeast,' said Sonowal. Northeast is undergoing rapid development in connectivity, agriculture, and industry. Operational airports have increased from 9 in 2014 to 19 in 2024. The region is emerging as a hub for organic farming and edible oil production, with 3.3 lakh gatherers and over 19,000 SHGs supported under Van Dhan Vikas Yojana. The bamboo industry has also grown through reclassification and targeted missions. Healthcare and heritage conservation are also priorities. Cultural initiatives include a tribal museum in Manipur and the development of Sivasagar as a heritage site. Speaking on the fiscal aid to Meghalaya, Sonowal said, 'Meghalaya, backed by a 105 percent increase in central grants-in-aid, has seen a substantial scale-up in infrastructure & social welfare. Landmark initiatives include the Rs 22,864 crore Greenfield High-Speed Corridor between Mawlyngkhung and Panchgram, set to drastically improve regional connectivity & logistics. Over 540 km of National Highways have been constructed, and urban mobility projects in New Shillong and Tura are being implemented under PM-DevINE.' Welfare interventions such as post-metric scholarships for over 76,000 SC/ST/OBC students, Rs 2,331 crore disbursed under MUDRA loans, and a threefold increase in National Health Mission (NHM) funding have empowered communities across Meghalaya. These milestones reflect the Modi government's unwavering commitment to inclusive development, economic empowerment, and regional integration of the Northeast. The Union Minister was joined by AL Hek, Minister of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, Fisheries Department, Printing & Stationery Department, Secretariat Administration Department, Govt of Meghalaya; Rikman G Momin, State President, BJP (Meghalaya), Wankitbok Pohshna, State General Secretary and Convenor, BJP (Meghalaya), and Shanbor Shullai, MLA and Chairman, Meghalaya Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). (ANI)
United News of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Congress 'forfeited the right to criticise' in the court of the people: Sonowal
Shillong, June 10 (UNI) Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways, Sarbananda Sonowal has strongly countered the Congress party's criticism of the Modi government's performance over the past 11 years, asserting that the grand old party has 'forfeited the right to criticise' in the court of the people. Emphasising the transformative progress made under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, Sonowal said the Congress, which neglected the aspirations of the people for more than six decades, now stands exposed before a new India that rewards performance and punishes apathy. 'Congress has lost all moral rights. They had destroyed the prospect of Northeast when they misgoverned the country for more than six decades. The dark days of Congress governments were filled with violence, insurgency, terrorism that dragged our beautiful region in to a vortex of deprivation, devastation, discord and division. Peace was a distant dream,' the Union Minister said. He added : 'This was reversed only with the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who took decisive steps to transform the region, respect the aspirations of the people, find solutions, usher a new era of peace and brotherhood, and ultimately, transform it as the Growth Engine of new India.' Highlighting the major achievements of the Narendra Modi-led government over 11 years, Sonowal explained how it delivered unprecedented welfare benefits to every section of the society — uplifting the poor 'Garib Kalyan', empowering the women 'Nari Shakti', transforming agriculture 'Krishak Kalyan' and empowering the youth through skill based training and employment opportunities though innovative policy action via Start Up India or Digital India campaigns. Sonowal also underlined how more than 2.19 lakh farmers benefitted from the Mission Organic Value Chain Development, 434 Farmer Producer Organisations formed, covering 1.73 lakh hectares. Sonowal said the government is working towards building Viksit Bharat during this Amrit Kala by focussing on 'Seva, Sushasan and Garib Kalyan' (Service, Good Governance and Welfare of the Poor). Over 81 crore people now, he said are receiving free rations under the PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, more than 15 crore rural households have access to tap water under 'Har Ghar Jal', and Rs. 3.7 lakh crore has been disbursed to farmers through PM-KISAN Sonowal said women's empowerment has seen historic strides—from 33 per cent reservation in legislatures under the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam to direct benefit transfers for more than 3.9 crore pregnant women, and the historic admission of women into the National Defence Academy,' Stating that the Modi government has brought the Northeast into the mainstream of India's development journey with unprecedented investment and focused attention, the Union Minister said, 'The Northeast has emerged transformative with 'Insurgency has declined by 64 per cent since 2014, AFSPA has been withdrawn from 75 per cent of the region,' The government has approved over 3,600 projects worth Rs. 44,859 crore, built 10 greenfield airports, and expanded connectivity and organic farming through focused missions. 'Under Modi's leadership, the Northeast is being repositioned not as a peripheral zone, but as India's vital Gateway to the East, with peace, progress, and prosperity at its core', Sonowal further said. UNI RRK GNK
