Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool
A staged innovation contest run by PCCOE Pune for Engineering and STEM students, with a ₹2 lakh cash prize pool, trophies and certificates. Registration closes 10 September 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹2L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (10 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Indradhanu is a staged innovation contest run by Pimpri Chinchwad College of Engineering (PCCOE) in Pune. It is built for students rather than for registered companies: each team picks a domain of its own choosing and develops a solution around it.
The build cycle opens on 1 July 2026 and wraps up on 15 February 2027, and progress is measured across several rounds instead of a single final pitch. Teams whose opening-round submission succeeds collect e-certificates, while finalists and winners are recognised with physical certificates. A signed No Objection Certificate becomes necessary once a team moves past the first round.
The money is the main draw. The overall cash pool stands at ₹2,00,000, split as ₹1,00,000 for the winning team, ₹60,000 for the runner-up and ₹40,000 for third place, with a trophy accompanying each of the three awards. Taking part costs nothing.
Entry happens in two steps: a team signs up on Unstop and then finishes the process on the official IGC website, pccoeigc.com. Submissions — a PDF or PPT covering the chosen topic — are then uploaded through the team dashboard. Registration shuts on 10 September 2026.
Highlights
- Total cash prize pool of ₹2,00,000 — ₹1,00,000 for 1st, ₹60,000 for 2nd and ₹40,000 for 3rd, each with a trophy.
- Open to students currently enrolled in Engineering UG, Engineering PG or other STEM programmes; teams of 2–5 plus a mentor.
- Registration closes 10 September 2026; the contest runs from 1 July 2026 to 15 February 2027.
- Two-step entry — register on Unstop, then complete the process on the official IGC website (pccoeigc.com).
- Submissions are a PDF or PPT on the team's chosen topic, uploaded via the team dashboard.
- No registration fee; successful first-round submissions earn e-certificates and finalists get physical certificates.
Who can apply
Indradhanu is a student-only challenge, so the eligibility test is your current enrolment rather than any company paperwork.
- Who can join: students enrolled in an Engineering undergraduate programme, an Engineering postgraduate programme, or any other STEM programme.
- Team size: 2 to 5 members.
- Mentor: every team needs one mentor, either a faculty member or an industry professional. The mentor sits outside the 2-to-5 count, so a full five-member team plus a mentor still qualifies.
- NOC: from the rounds after the first, a signed No Objection Certificate is required.
- Coverage: the contest is described as international and no restriction on the applicant's city or institution appears in the programme details.
Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool closed on 10 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Indradhanu pays out prize money rather than investing, so there is no repayment obligation and no stake handed over.
- 1st place: ₹1,00,000 plus a trophy.
- 2nd place: ₹60,000 plus a trophy.
- 3rd place: ₹40,000 plus a trophy.
- Total cash pool: ₹2,00,000.
- Certification: e-certificates for teams whose first-round submission succeeds, and physical certificates for finalists and winners.
- Cost of entry: nothing — registration is free of charge.
Beyond the cash and trophies, teams go through a mentored, multi-round build cycle that stretches from July 2026 into February 2027, with a submission judged on a topic they have chosen themselves.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Indradhanu is assessed across several rounds rather than through a single screening.
- Registration: teams sign up on Unstop and complete the process on the official IGC website before 10 September 2026.
- Submission: each team uploads a PDF or PPT on its chosen topic through the team dashboard.
- First round: submissions that succeed at this stage earn e-certificates.
- Later rounds: teams continuing in the contest must provide a signed No Objection Certificate and keep developing their solution through the window that ends on 15 February 2027.
- Finals: finalists and winners receive physical certificates, and the top three teams are awarded cash prizes along with trophies.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much money can a team win at Indradhanu 2026?
The cash pool totals ₹2,00,000. The first-placed team receives ₹1,00,000, the second receives ₹60,000 and the third receives ₹40,000, and each of the three also takes home a trophy.
Who is eligible to take part?
Entry is open exclusively to students who are currently enrolled in an Engineering UG programme, an Engineering PG programme or another STEM programme. Because the challenge is student-only, working professionals and registered companies are not eligible.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration closes on 10 September 2026. The competition itself starts earlier, on 1 July 2026, and continues until 15 February 2027, so the entry window and the build window do not end on the same date.
How many members can a team have, and is a mentor compulsory?
A team must have between 2 and 5 members, plus one mentor who may be a faculty member or an industry professional. The mentor is not counted within the 2-to-5 team size, so a five-member team with a mentor is still valid.
Is there any fee to enter?
No. Registration on Unstop and completion of the process on the official IGC website are free of charge.
How do we apply?
There are two steps. First register on Unstop, then complete the process on the official IGC website, pccoeigc.com. After that, the team dashboard is where you upload your submission.
What does a team actually submit?
A PDF or a PPT on the topic the team has selected, submitted through the team dashboard. Submissions that succeed in the first round earn e-certificates.
When is a No Objection Certificate needed?
A signed No Objection Certificate is required for the rounds after the first one. Teams that clear the opening round need to have it in place before they continue in the contest.
Do we need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
Neither features anywhere in the eligibility criteria. This is a student competition rather than a startup funding scheme, and the requirement is simply that every team member is enrolled in an Engineering or other STEM programme.
Can students from outside Pune or outside India apply?
The challenge is billed as international, and no city or institution restriction appears in the programme details. What matters is that you are enrolled in an Engineering or other STEM programme; teams enter online through Unstop and the official IGC website.
Does Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool take equity?
No. Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
How do I apply for Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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Not sure Indradhanu PCCOE International Grand Challenge 2026 — ₹2L Prize Pool is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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