MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge

The MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge is a significant initiative spearheaded by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) in collaboration with the General Administration Department (GAD) of the Government of Maharashtra. This challenge aims to identify and engage capable Indian startups to conceptualize, build, and implement a sophisticated AI-powered system, named "MahaGAD AI Sahayak", designed to manage Government Resolutions (GRs).

The core vision for "MahaGAD AI Sahayak" is to create a secure, scalable, and in-house artificial intelligence platform, deployed on-premise within government infrastructure. Its primary function will be to streamline the search, retrieval, summarization, and contextual interpretation of critical administrative documents, including All India Service (AIS) rules, Indian Administrative Service (IAS) rules, and various Government Resolutions (GRs).

A crucial requirement for the solution is its ability to process natural language queries in both Marathi and English, including mixed-language inputs. The system must deliver precise, accurate answers, complete with citations to original sources, thereby enhancing transparency and ensuring consistency in governmental decision-making processes.

• Challenge by Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS) and GAD.
• Aims to develop an AI-based Government Resolution (GR) Information Management System.
• Solution must be in-house, on-premise, secure, and scalable.
• Must support natural language queries in both Marathi and English.
• Grant funding is provided, with amounts varying.
• Application deadline is February 5, 2026.

Applicants must be Indian startups officially recognized under relevant government regulations and meet the guidelines set forth by the Maharashtra State Innovation Society.

Startups are required to demonstrate proven expertise in several key technological areas, including artificial intelligence, natural language processing, large language models, and the development of enterprise-grade software.

Capability in building multilingual AI systems that support both Marathi and English, including mixed-language queries, is essential. Furthermore, applicants must have experience or be prepared to deploy their solutions within on-premise government infrastructure, ensuring complete data sovereignty without reliance on external cloud platforms.

Successful applicants must commit to adhering to all security, confidentiality, and IT compliance standards mandated by the Government of Maharashtra. The selected startup will also be responsible for providing comprehensive training, documentation, and ongoing post-deployment maintenance and enhancement support for a period of up to five years.

MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge closed on 5 Feb 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge provides grant funding to selected startups. The specific grant amount will vary based on the proposed solution and project scope.

MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge is offered by Maharashtra State Innovation Society (MSInS), a government body. As a government-backed grant, it is publicly funded and open to eligible startups across India. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Before you apply to MahaGAD AI Sahayak Grand Challenge, 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.