Open Call: Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Award (India)

The Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards, launched by SRISTI and the Honey Bee Network, recognize impactful student-led innovations that address social, environmental, and technological challenges. The awards celebrate frugal, socially relevant, and cutting-edge technological solutions developed by students across diverse disciplines in India.

Overview of the GYTI Awards

The Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Awards are an annual national initiative led by SRISTI (Society for Research and Initiatives for Sustainable Technologies and Institutions) and the Honey Bee Network. The awards aim to identify, recognize, and support outstanding student innovators whose ideas demonstrate creativity, sustainability, inclusiveness, and real-world impact.
Rooted in Gandhian principles, the programme promotes innovations that deliver affordable, scalable, and ecologically responsible solutions for society, particularly for underserved communities and micro and small enterprises.

Objectives of the GYTI Awards

Encouraging Frugal and Inclusive Innovation

The awards promote the development of low-cost, high-impact technologies that maximize value while minimizing resource use.

Addressing Social and Environmental Challenges

GYTI prioritizes innovations that solve unmet societal needs, improve livelihoods, and support sustainable development.

Advancing Technological Frontiers

The programme also recognizes bold, future-facing ideas that push the boundaries of science, engineering, and applied technologies.

Award Categories

MLM (More from Less for Many) – Frugal Innovation Award

This category honors innovations that demonstrate exceptional resource efficiency and affordability.

Focus on doing more with fewer resources
Emphasis on cost-effectiveness and sustainability
Innovations that economize materials without compromising functionality

Socially Relevant Technological Innovation Award

This award recognizes solutions that directly address pressing social needs.

Improves affordability and accessibility
Enhances or upgrades existing solutions
Encourages circularity and ecological compatibility

Technological-Edge Award

This category celebrates breakthrough ideas that advance innovation frontiers.

Cutting-edge technological concepts
Cross-disciplinary and high-risk, high-reward innovations
Solutions that redefine existing technological limits

Appreciation Awards

In addition to the main awards, 15 appreciation awards are presented to recognize noteworthy and promising student innovations.

Fields and Disciplines Covered

The GYTI Awards adopt a broad and inclusive approach, welcoming innovations from:

Technology and engineering
Agriculture and allied sciences
Design and applied arts
Pharmacy and health sciences
Pure and applied sciences
Other emerging and applied technology domains

Who Is Eligible?

Student Eligibility

The call for submissions is open to:

Current students of technical institutions and universities
Former students who have graduated from such institutions
Innovators from any discipline, provided the work was carried out during their student tenure

Faculty Nominations

Faculty members may nominate projects or theses supervised by them
Graduated students can be nominated even after leaving the institution
The award, if selected, is conferred solely on the student innovator

Why the GYTI Awards Matter

The GYTI Awards play a critical role in India’s innovation ecosystem by:

Recognizing grassroots and student-led technological solutions
Providing national visibility to impactful ideas
Connecting innovators with policymakers, practitioners, and incubation networks
Encouraging ethical, inclusive, and sustainable technological development

How the GYTI Awards Work

Submission and Shortlisting

Innovators submit project nominations through the official GYTI and Techpedia platforms
Only project abstracts and innovator details are published or shared publicly
Eligible entries are shortlisted for further evaluation

Detailed Project Evaluation

Shortlisted applicants must submit a comprehensive project report
Deadline for detailed report submission: December 31, 2025
Each project is evaluated by an expert panel of three to five reviewers

Exhibition and Recognition

Selected projects are showcased at a national exhibition
The exhibition is attended by policymakers, experts, and practitioners
Outstanding awardees are invited to the annual People Festival of Innovations at the India International Centre during November–December

Knowledge and Credit Attribution

All shortlisted entries are included in a national innovation database
Proper credit is given to innovators, team members, supervisors, and institutions
Contact information is retained for ecosystem linkages

How to Apply or Nominate a Project

Step-by-Step Application Process

Visit the official GYTI and Techpedia nomination platforms
Submit a project abstract and innovator details
Indicate interest in incubation support, if required
Submit before the stated deadline for consideration

Incubation and IPR Support

Applicants may opt for incubation support during nomination
Innovators seeking Intellectual Property Rights assistance can access a network of pro bono attorneys
Legal support is offered at concessional terms to selected innovators

Important Update on BIRAC Partnership

The partnership with BIRAC for the SITARE-GYTI Awards has concluded.

Biotech, engineering, and all other discipline entries must now be submitted exclusively through GYTI platforms
SITARE-BIRAC submissions are no longer applicable under this award cycle

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting full project reports instead of abstracts at the nomination stage
Missing the December 31, 2025 deadline for detailed reports
Assuming biotech projects require a separate BIRAC submission route
Failing to highlight social, environmental, or affordability impact

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the GYTI Awards?

Current or former students of technical institutions and universities who developed innovations during their student tenure.

2. Can faculty members submit applications?

Faculty members can nominate student projects, but the award is granted only to the student innovator.

3. What types of innovations are preferred?

Frugal, socially relevant, and technologically advanced innovations with clear societal or environmental impact.

4. Are biotech projects eligible?

Yes. Biotech and all other disciplines must now be submitted directly through GYTI platforms.

5. What is the deadline for detailed project reports?

Shortlisted projects must submit full reports by December 31, 2025.

6. Do selected projects receive exposure beyond the award?

Yes. Selected projects are exhibited nationally and top awardees are invited to the People Festival of Innovations.

7. Is incubation or IP support available?

Yes. Applicants can opt for incubation support and access pro bono IP legal assistance.

Conclusion

The Gandhian Young Technological Innovation Awards provide a powerful national platform for student innovators committed to solving real-world problems through ethical, frugal, and forward-looking technologies. By combining recognition, expert evaluation, policy exposure, and ecosystem support, GYTI strengthens India’s grassroots and student-driven innovation landscape.