The National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards are organized by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India, an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. These awards honor unaided technological innovations and traditional knowledge developed at the grassroots level by individuals or groups. Innovations may span fields such as agriculture, health, energy, household utilities, transportation, livestock, and more—focusing on reducing drudgery, generating livelihoods, developing new plant varieties or herbal remedies, and promoting sustainable green technologies. Creative ideas that offer innovative solutions to persistent societal problems, even if not fully developed into prototypes, are also eligible.
Awards Categories and Benefits
There are six levels of awards:
- Life Time Achievement Award:
- Award: ₹7,50,000, Trophy, Certificate
- National First Award:
- Award: ₹5,00,000, Trophy, Certificate
- National Second Award:
- Award: ₹3,00,000, Trophy, Certificate
- National Third Award:
- Award: ₹1,00,000, Trophy, Certificate
- State Award:
- Award: ₹50,000, Trophy, Certificate
- Consolation Award:
- Award: ₹10,000, Trophy, Certificate
The number of awardees is subject to the number of eligible applications:
- Lifetime Achievement: 1 awardee
- National Awards (First/Second/Third): Approximately 10–15 awards
- State and Consolation Awards: Approximately 15–20 awards
Eligibility
Eligible innovators include:
- Individuals or groups (Citizen of India) who develop unaided/unsupervised technological innovations or traditional knowledge.
- The innovations should be a result of the individual’s creativity without technical support from external agencies.
- Eligible fields include, but are not limited to, agriculture, health, energy, household utilities, transportation, livestock, and sustainable green technologies.
- Applicants can be uneducated individuals, school dropouts, school students (up to class 12 or up to 17–18 years), ITI/Polytechnic diploma holders, or individuals without professional technical training or affiliation with formal institutions engaged in S&T or R&D.
- Also eligible are retired individual innovators without a background in formal science/technology education or professional experience in S&T/R&D.
Exclusions:
- Students enrolled in professional courses (engineering, medical, pharmacy, etc.) and professional graduates/postgraduates.
- Individuals affiliated with formal institutions engaged in S&T/R&D activities.
- Self-employed well-qualified individuals or professional freelancers.
- Retired persons with professional S&T/R&D experience.
Application Process
Mode: Online
Registration:
- Visit the official awards portal.
- Click on the Registration button.
- Choose the type: Individual or Organization.
- For Individuals, provide details such as name (as per Aadhaar), date of birth, mobile number, email, and Aadhaar number.
- For Organizations, provide the type, name of the authorized person, date of birth, a brief description (100 words), designation, mobile number, email, and Aadhaar number.
- Submit the registration.
Application:
- Log in to the portal.
- From the list of awards, select “National Grassroots Innovation and Outstanding Traditional Knowledge Awards 2025” and click “Nominate / Apply Now.”
- Fill in all the mandatory fields in the online application form.
- Submit the application.
Documents Required
- Aadhaar Card
- Recent Photograph
- Proof of Age
- Proof of Address
- Proof of Educational Qualification (passing certificate/marksheet)
- Proof of Professional Experience
- Details of work done in the last three years in the field
- Details of Awards and Honors received (if any)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
-
What are the objectives of these awards?
To recognize and reward unaided grassroots innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge that contribute to sustainable and low-cost technologies for societal benefit. -
Who organizes these awards?
The awards are organized by the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) – India under the Department of Science and Technology. -
What is the purpose of these awards?
To honor and promote innovations and traditional knowledge that lead to drudgery reduction, livelihood generation, and sustainable development, among other societal benefits. -
In which categories are the awards conferred?
The awards are conferred in six categories: Lifetime Achievement, National First, National Second, National Third, State, and Consolation. -
What role do these awards play in preserving indigenous cultures?
They help recognize and preserve traditional knowledge and indigenous innovations, ensuring these contributions are acknowledged and supported for further development. -
Who can receive the benefits of the awards?
Unaffiliated individual innovators, school dropouts, diploma holders, and retired innovators without formal professional training in S&T/R&D. -
What is the application process?
Applications are submitted online through the official portal, following registration and completing the nomination form. -
Who can apply for the awards?
Citizen innovators at the grassroots level, as well as groups, who have developed unaided technological innovations or traditional knowledge. -
How do individuals register?
By visiting the official awards portal, selecting the appropriate category (Individual or Organization), and providing the required personal details. -
What documents are required?
Documents include Aadhaar Card, photograph, age proof, address proof, educational certificates, professional experience details, and information about the work done in the past three years.