DISHA 3.0 — ₹15L–₹1.5Cr Equity Funding for Digital Healthcare Startups — Frequently Asked Questions

It is run by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, the Technology Innovation Hub for System Simulation, Modelling and Visualization of Cyber-Physical Systems at IIT Indore. The Foundation is registered as a Section 8 company and has been upgraded to a Technology Translation Research Park (TTRP) under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS), supported by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India. DISHA 3.0 is its third edition of funding, following DISHA 1.0 and 2.0, and it focuses specifically on digital healthcare.

Projects receive between ₹15 lakh and ₹1.5 crore each. The amount is not paid out at once — it is disbursed against milestones, and the release schedule follows recommendations from the External Investment Committee.

Yes. This is an equity-linked programme rather than a plain grant, and up to 3% equity is typically transferred for the grant support, in line with NM-ICPS guidelines. Separately, if the Foundation facilitates a commercialisation deal or business opportunity, a revenue share of 15%–30% of net sales from that deal may apply, and follow-on funding arranged through the Foundation may attract a success fee of about 2%–5% of the investment amount.

Faculty members, students and medical professionals associated with approved higher education institutions across India can apply, including principal investigators who have a market-ready product. Independent innovators and DPIIT-recognised startups working in the specified domains are eligible too. There is a 20% reservation provision for SC-led projects within the eligible pool. Proposals must also be endorsed by the host institution or organisation.

Cyber-Physical Systems technologies within digital healthcare — medical devices, wearables, point-of-care diagnostics, healthcare analytics, and solutions built on AI/ML, IoT and robotics. Your proof of concept should already be established and a prototype must be ready. Projects are judged on innovation, technical and practical feasibility, market potential, and societal or economic impact. This is strictly for commercialisation-focused work, not academic research.

DPIIT Startup India recognition is mandatory before any funds are transferred. Startups must be incorporated as Private Limited Companies, and existing LLPs must convert. If you are applying pre-incorporation, you can do so but must register within 3–6 months of project approval.

Applications close on 15 September 2026. You apply through the online form at https://incubator.drishticps.org/fa/6a7187f15e4be7172e5d18fa. The form asks for a detailed concept note presentation covering the problem, your innovation, TRL, target users, competitors, market size, IP status and commercialisation strategy, along with a budget in the prescribed format. Depending on the application phase, keep ready a Host Institution Support Letter or Undertaking, any MoU or NDA, Letters of Interest from collaborators, ethical clearance certificates, professional video or pictures, and patent documents.

Entries are first shortlisted on alignment with focus areas, innovation potential, estimated market size and funding needs. Shortlisted proposals then go through peer review by faculty members and technical experts from the DRISHTI CPS Foundation, followed by a technical presentation before internal and external domain experts. The External Investment Committee — academics, industry leaders and healthcare experts — conducts the final review through a 10-minute presentation and a 10-minute Q&A. Selected candidates then complete due diligence and documentation.

High-value equipment above ₹2 lakh is generally procured by the IITI DRISHTI CPS Foundation, and ownership of those assets stays with the Foundation. Such equipment must be made available to Foundation affiliate members at a nominal cost with a minimum 50% discount, and listed with the Foundation's shared national resources. Proposals where capital assets exceed 30% of the total grant are discouraged, and personal electronic devices such as laptops cannot be purchased through the grant.

Funding for that project stops, and the host institution is required to inform the Foundation. Any unspent money must be returned within one month, along with the Utilization Certificate and the equipment. If the work is to continue at the new institution, you need a no-objection certificate from the current host and a fresh sanction letter.