UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program

The UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program is an initiative designed to foster innovation and growth within India's agricultural sector. This program offers crucial support to promising agri-startups.

It is spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, demonstrating the government's commitment to advancing agricultural technology and entrepreneurship. The program aims to identify and nurture startups that are past the ideation phase, focusing on those with tangible products.

Specifically, the program targets registered agri-startups that have developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or already possess a market-ready product. Through this initiative, selected startups receive an equity-free grant and benefit from the comprehensive incubation ecosystem provided by ICAR-IARI, helping them scale their solutions and contribute to the agricultural economy.

• Equity-free grant funding up to ₹25 lakh.
• Application deadline is May 17, 2026.
• Targets registered agri-startups.
• For startups with an MVP or market-ready product.
• Focuses on startups at the product or revenue stage.
• Includes incubation support from ICAR-IARI.

This program is open to registered agri-startups that are actively engaged in the agricultural sector. Applicants must have progressed beyond the conceptual stage, evidenced by either a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) or a market-ready product.

Eligible startups should be at the product or revenue stage of their development. A key requirement is the intention to seek and benefit from the incubation support offered by ICAR-IARI, which is integral to the program's structure.

UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program closed on 17 May 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Recipients of the UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program are awarded an equity-free grant of up to ₹25 lakh. This financial assistance is provided without requiring any stake in the startup, allowing founders to retain full ownership.

In addition to the significant grant funding, selected startups also gain access to valuable incubation support from ICAR-IARI. This comprehensive support system is designed to help agri-businesses refine their products, develop their business models, and navigate market challenges, fostering sustainable growth and innovation.

UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program is offered by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, 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 UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program, 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.

UPJA 2026 — Pusa Krishi Incubation Program 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.