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

Selected startups can receive a Grant-in-Aid of up to ₹25 Lakhs. It is a grant rather than a loan, so it does not have to be repaid, and the programme does not take an equity stake in your venture.

The current round is limited to agri-startups based in Uttarakhand. Beyond location, you must work in agriculture or allied areas, meet the DPIIT Startup India definition, be a registered legal entity in India, and have a Minimum Viable Product or a service with proven market fit and scaling potential.

Yes. Applicants are expected to fulfil the DPIIT Startup India definition of a startup, so you should ensure your entity's registration and documentation are in order before you apply.

The incubatee has to bear 15% of the sanctioned project cost as co-financing. The remaining project cost is what the grant-in-aid covers, subject to the ₹25 Lakh ceiling.

It is released in two equal installments on a 50:50 basis. The first tranche follows the signing of the agreement, and the second comes after the agreed milestones are completed and a CA-certified utilisation certificate is submitted.

Applications close on 13 September 2026. Submissions are made through the programme's online Google Forms application.

Two categories are excluded. Indian subsidiaries of multinational or foreign companies are not eligible, and startups already receiving grant or financial support from another government source for the same project, product or activity cannot apply.

The programme is relevant to precision agriculture, farm mechanisation and automation, post-harvest handling and food processing, agri biotechnology, agricultural supply chain and logistics, along with other agriculture and allied sectors.

Yes. Women-led startups — those with more than 50% equity held by a woman founder from a rural area — are eligible for up to 10% additional financial assistance as part of the seed stage funding.

Applications are first pre-screened for eligibility. Shortlisted startups then attend a mandatory one-month Agri-Entrepreneurship Orientation-cum-Incubation Training, after which the RABI Incubation Committee shortlists candidates. The Selection-cum-Investment Committee makes the final funding decision using ten assessment criteria covering need, novelty, feasibility, business model, team, market, scalability, risk, impact and delivery.

Recipients get a one-month intensive entrepreneurship development programme, mentorship from IIM Kashipur faculty and industry professionals, incubation support at IIM Kashipur FIED with access to space and shared resources, and networking with entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem partners.

Complete the online application form linked from the programme's Google Forms page. Make sure your entity registration, DPIIT details and MVP documentation are ready, since the initial pre-screening checks these basics.

No. RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups is grant and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.

RKVY-RABI 2026 Cohort-8 — ₹25L Grant for Uttarakhand Agri-Startups is offered by FIED, IIM Kashipur, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.