RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups

The RKVY-RABI Programme is an agriculture-focused incubation and funding initiative run by FIED at IIM Kashipur, delivered with support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Government of India. Its eighth cohort is now accepting applications from agri-startups operating in Uttarakhand, with a submission deadline of 13 September 2026.

The programme is built for ventures that have already moved past the idea stage. It combines a non-repayable Grant-in-Aid of up to ₹25 Lakhs with a structured support system, so that a founder receives both capital and the guidance needed to put it to work.

Money is only one part of the offer. Every selected startup must complete a one-month Agri-Entrepreneurship Orientation-cum-Incubation Training, a mandatory component that doubles as an evaluation window. From there, founders get mentorship from IIM Kashipur faculty and industry professionals, incubation support at FIED, and introductions to investors, fellow entrepreneurs and ecosystem partners.

The stated aim is to strengthen the agricultural innovation ecosystem within the state — helping agri-entrepreneurs commercialise, protect and scale innovations that address real problems in farming and allied sectors.

• Grant-in-Aid of up to ₹25 Lakhs, paid in two 50:50 installments
• Open to agri-startups based in Uttarakhand only
• Applications close 13 September 2026
• Mandatory one-month entrepreneurship orientation and incubation training
• Mentorship from IIM Kashipur faculty plus incubation at FIED
• 15% co-financing of the sanctioned project cost is required from the incubatee

This cohort is open only to agri-startups based in Uttarakhand, and applications are routed through IIM Kashipur FIED.

A qualifying venture must:

• Operate in agriculture or allied areas, with innovation or regional outreach embedded in its core product, service or business model.
• Meet the DPIIT Startup India definition of a startup.
• Be a registered legal entity in India.
• Have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a service with market fit, viable commercialisation prospects and scope for scaling.
• Be willing to contribute 15% of the sanctioned project cost as co-financing.

Two exclusions apply. Indian subsidiaries of multinational or foreign companies are not eligible. Startups that are already receiving grant or financial support from any other government source for the same project, product or activity also cannot apply.

RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups closed on 13 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

The headline benefit is a Grant-in-Aid of up to ₹25 Lakhs, aimed at MVP-ready agri-startups that are preparing for market launch or scaling. The money is non-repayable and reaches the incubatee in two installments on a 50:50 basis — the first after the agreement is signed, the second once agreed milestones are completed and a CA-certified utilisation certificate is submitted.

Alongside the grant, recipients get:

• A one-month Agri-Entrepreneurship Orientation-cum-Incubation Training with structured, practical sessions.
• Mentorship from IIM Kashipur faculty and experienced industry professionals.
• Incubation support at IIM Kashipur FIED, including access to space, shared resources and the wider incubator ecosystem.
• Networking with other entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem partners.

Women-led startups — defined here as those where more than 50% of equity is held by a woman founder from a rural area — can receive up to 10% additional financial assistance within the seed stage funding.

RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups is offered by FIED, IIM Kashipur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by FIED, IIM Kashipur as a grant. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Entry is competitive and moves through several checkpoints rather than a single review.

• Online application: Founders submit the application form shared through the programme's Google Forms link.
• Pre-screening: Every submission is reviewed to confirm basic eligibility and alignment with the programme's objectives.
• Agri-Entrepreneurship Orientation-cum-Incubation Training: Shortlisted startups must attend the mandatory one-month intensive training. This period also functions as an extended evaluation phase, during which the venture's engagement, learning and business refinement are observed.
• Shortlisting by the RABI Incubation Committee (RIC): After the training, the RIC narrows the field further based on each startup's progress and potential.
• Final selection by the Selection-cum-Investment Committee (SIC): The SIC makes the final call on grant funding, assessing ventures against ten indicators — the need for and novelty of the solution, technical and financial feasibility, the strength of the business model, team capability, market potential, scalability, risk, societal impact and the overall delivery plan.

Before you apply to RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups, 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.

RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹25L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.