Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat Competition 2026: Application portal closes soon; Apply now

The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat competition has emerged as a premier youth innovation initiative under the Viksit Bharat framework, challenging young creative minds to design practical solutions for grassroots development. The Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat competition is a flagship innovation and design challenge hosted on the MY Bharat Portal. Centred around the theme of “Duality (Dwividhita)”, the competition aims to bridge traditional craftsmanship with modern technology and scale sustainable interventions across India. Various other competitions have also been organised under the Sewa Sankalp Abhiyan.

Domains

Challenge 1: Design for Bharat (DfB) Open Challenge

Under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat competition, various students will get an opportunity to showcase their work, including young professionals and designers, to conceptualise user-centric products, systems, and digital frameworks across seven critical domains:

Challenge 2: Design for Bharat (DfB) Graduation Project Challenge

The National Thesis Showcase recognises exceptional design thesis and graduation projects developed by recent design graduates. It provides national visibility, connects academic research with real-world challenges, and highlights the journey from research to finished, people-centred product design.

Eligibility Criteria

Selection Process

Challenge 1: Open Challenge (3 Stages)

• Stage 1 (Compete – State/UT Level): Register and submit entries on the portal. Entries are evaluated by State/UT expert panels. Top state entries advance, and state winners are felicitated locally.
• Stage 2 (National Mentorship): Selected entries undergo national review for innovation, usability, feasibility, and impact. 36 national finalists receive online mentorship to refine their projects for public presentation.
• Stage 3 (National Showcase & Felicitation): Finalists travel to New Delhi for in-person mentoring and present their designs at the national showcase during VBYLD 2027 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.

Challenge 2: Graduation Project Challenge (3 Stages)

• Stage 1 (Submission & Evaluation): Submit thesis projects via the portal for evaluation by a panel of design experts against set competition criteria.
• Stage 2 (National Selection & Mentoring): A maximum of 20 projects are shortlisted and undergo virtual mentoring for exhibition readiness review and national submission verification.
• Stage 3 (National Jury & Showcase): Shortlisted participants receive in-person mentoring in New Delhi, present their work at Bharat Mandapam, and compete before the National Grand Design Jury for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize awards.

Also Read: Seva Sankalp Abhiyan 2026: Assam to organise statewide competitions; Check prize money and important dates here

How to Apply for the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat Competition?

• Register or log in using your credentials on the MY Bharat Portal (Given below).
• Navigate to the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat competition section and choose either Challenge 1 (Open Challenge) or Challenge 2 (Graduation Projects Challenge).
• Fill out all required individual or team personal details, institutional background, and project information.
• Upload all required digital project portfolios, concept notes, presentation boards, and media files according to your chosen challenge’s technical specifications.
• Review your details, submit the mandatory originality declaration, and retain your application reference number for tracking and future correspondence.

Detailed Submission & Technical Specifications by Track

Challenge 1: Design for Bharat — Open Challenge

All submissions must be in digital format. Applicants must upload a structured proposal comprising a concept note, a main visual hero shot, process boards, and technical details across up to 7 posters.

Submission Components

1. Concept Note (Max 500 words): A brief description outlining the larger concept, vision, impact, core functionality, and real-world potential of the design.
2. Poster 1 — Concept Note: Visuals highlighting the primary function, purpose, or core problem the design addresses.
3. Poster 2 — Main Visual: Central image, high-resolution render, sketch, or prototype photograph featuring a clean layout, minimal text, and a prominent hero shot of the concept.
4. Posters 3–5 — Detailed Description & Process: Comprehensive visual representation of the design lifecycle, including background research, user needs, ideation, flowcharts, prototyping stages, features, usability, and benefits.
5. Posters 6–7 — Supplementary Information: Technical breakdown emphasizing sustainability (materials, eco-conscious approach, energy efficiency) or technology integration (IoT, AI, scalability, and system architecture).

Technical Specifications (Open Challenge)

• Platform: Digital submission via the MY Bharat portal.
• Poster Limit: Maximum of 7 posters.
• File Format: JPG
• Resolution: 300 DPI
• File Size Limit: Maximum 20 MB per poster.
• Declaration: Submission of an originality declaration and display consent for official exhibitions/publications.

Challenge 2: Design for Bharat — Graduation Projects Challenge

A graduation or thesis project is developed within an academic institution through student work, faculty supervision, and institutional facilities. Every entry must explicitly acknowledge the academic context (student designer, institution, department, and supervisors) and must not be presented as independent work.

Required Project Metadata

• Title of the graduation/thesis project
• Name of the participant/team members
• Name of the guide(s) / supervisor(s)
• Qualifying degree title
• Department name
• Name of the Institution / University
• Name of industry sponsors or external mentors (if applicable)

Submission Deliverables & Technical Specifications (Graduation Challenge)

General Submission Guidance (Graduation Challenge)

• Academic Scope: The thesis or graduation project must have been completed during the 2025–2026 academic year.
• Attribution: Clearly identify individual contributions in team-based projects where applicable.
• Institutional Verification: Provide formal institutional certification confirming thesis completion and supervisor endorsement.
• Originality: All content must be original, supported by high-resolution visuals and concise descriptive text.
• Declaration: Participants must submit a declaration confirming originality and consenting to public display in VBYLD exhibitions and official publications.

Rewards

The rewards, financial incentives, and recognition perks for finalists in the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan Design for Bharat competition include:

• Cash Prizes for Winners: National Grand Design Jury awardees receive cash prize money across top placements:
  • 1st Prize Winner: ₹1,50,000
  • 2nd Prize Winner: ₹1,00,000
  • 3rd Prize Winner: ₹75,000
• Incubation & Prototype Grants: Direct access to seed funding, cash grants, or institutional incubation support to transition winning design concepts and thesis projects into market-ready physical prototypes.
• National Mentorship Program: Specialised virtual and in-person design mentorship from leading industry experts and academic panels prior to the grand showcase in New Delhi.
• National Exhibition Showcase: Invited participation to present and showcase live product designs before government officials, industry leaders, and a national jury at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, during the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue.
• State & National Level Felicitation: Official awards, trophies, and certificates of excellence issued by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, celebrating state winners and national finalists.

Important Dates

Important Link

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)