The Ministry of Education (MoE) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) are taking significant steps to nurture entrepreneurship among students, encouraging them to become job creators rather than job seekers.
At UDYAMOTSAV 2025, an initiative by AICTE and the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC), over 350 startups were given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to 75 investors across 14 institutions nationwide. A total of 3,200 startups participated, including those shortlisted for the final round and others who will now receive incubation support at AICTE Innovation Centres. These centres, spread across 13 regions in India, aim to equip budding entrepreneurs with essential skills and resources to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions.
Speaking on the initiative, Prof. T.G. Sitharam, Chairman, AICTE, highlighted the need for UDYAMOTSAV 2025 to democratise access to entrepreneurial resources. “This platform builds on the legacy of the Startup India initiative, launched in 2016, to nurture innovation and create a thriving startup culture. Through structured AICTE programs like IDEA Labs and Institution’s Innovation Councils (IICs), we are fostering an entrepreneurial mindset while also bridging academia with industry,” he stated.
Strengthening Innovation through Mentorship
Over the past five years, AICTE has set up IICs in 14,000 higher education institutions (HEIs) to address challenges in innovation and entrepreneurship. These councils guide students on design thinking, intellectual property (IP), business planning, investor pitching, and other entrepreneurial skills.
Dr. Abhay Jere, Vice Chairman, AICTE, emphasised the importance of mentorship and funding, revealing that 3.2 lakh innovation programs have been conducted so far. Additionally, School Innovation Councils (SICs) have been established in 10,000 schools, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission and Tinkering Labs. AICTE-MIC has also trained 15,000 faculty members and 25,000 schoolteachers as Innovation Ambassadors to cultivate creativity among students.
To further support innovation, AICTE has been funding student and faculty-led projects, with over 200 projects receiving up to ₹10 lakh each through initiatives like the Yukti Innovation Contest and Smart India Hackathon. Moreover, 15,000 patent applications from faculty and students are set to receive financial assistance this year, with 10,000 applications already processed since April 2024.
Recognising the need to support talent from tier-II and tier-III cities, AICTE is actively conducting boot camps and selecting participants for incubation. Many Smart India Hackathon finalists hail from these regions, reflecting the growing entrepreneurial spirit beyond metropolitan areas.
AICTE has also introduced an MBA in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, alongside a Design Thinking and Innovation course for CBSE students from Class VI to XII. These initiatives aim to instill a problem-solving mindset and entrepreneurial thinking from an early age.
By fostering innovation, mentorship, and funding, AICTE and MoE continue to empower young minds with the skills and confidence needed to turn ideas into impactful ventures.