MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15

The MANAGE Centre for Innovation and Agripreneurship (CIA) runs the Student Orientation Program (SOP) under the RKVY-RAFTAAR initiative. It is designed for students who want to turn innovative agribusiness ideas into prototypes, products, or services. The program provides a foundational pathway for early-stage entrepreneurial talent, combining mentorship, hands-on training, and exposure to real startup environments.

Selected participants undergo an intensive mentoring and internship experience with startups in agriculture and allied sectors. This immersion helps them understand market dynamics, operational challenges, and strategic decision-making needed to build a sustainable agribusiness.

After completing the orientation phase, participants can pitch for a grant-in-aid of up to ₹4 lakh. This funding helps convert early-stage ideas into tangible prototypes or minimum viable products, covering product development, validation, and initial market testing.

The SOP aims to build a pipeline of innovation-driven entrepreneurs in agriculture, encouraging students to pursue entrepreneurship as a career. It integrates ecosystem support through mentorship, incubation exposure, and access to domain experts, strengthening the agritech innovation landscape in India.

• Grant-in-aid of up to ₹4 lakh for agri-innovation ideas
• One-month orientation includes training, mentorship, and startup internship
• Open to students with early-stage ideas; no incorporation required
• Selection by Centre of Excellence Incubation Committee (CIC)
• Funding covers prototyping, validation, and market testing

Applicants must be students with an innovative idea in the agribusiness sector. The idea should be based on technology, process, service, or business platforms, and must aim to improve efficiency in agriculture or allied sectors. Applicants must have an initial business plan or proposal. The program is open to individuals with early-stage ideas, and startup incorporation is not required.

MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15 closed on 31 Mar 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Selected participants can receive a grant-in-aid of up to ₹4 lakh after successfully completing the orientation phase and pitching their ideas. The grant is intended to help convert early-stage ideas into tangible prototypes or minimum viable products. Funding can cover activities such as product development, validation, and initial market testing. Participants also benefit from a one-month orientation program that includes training, mentorship, and an internship with startups in agriculture and allied sectors, providing exposure to real-world business dynamics.

MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15 is offered by a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by a-IDEA, ICAR-NAARM as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Applications are submitted online through the prescribed form. MANAGE-CIA screens applications based on idea quality and innovation potential. Shortlisted candidates are then selected by the Centre of Excellence Incubation Committee (CIC). Selected participants undergo a one-month orientation with training and internship. After completion, participants pitch their ideas for grant-in-aid support. The final funding decision is based on evaluation of idea viability and performance during the program.

Before you apply to MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15, 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.

MANAGE-CIA RKVY-RAFTAAR Student Orientation Program (SOP) Cohort 15 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹4L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.