Tripura Launches Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana and Digi-SAPNE 3.0 to Boost Innovation, Startups and Digital Empowerment
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, October 1, 2026
Tripura took another significant step towards strengthening its innovation, entrepreneurship and digital ecosystem with the launch of three major initiatives—Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana (MYYY) for Academic Year 2025-26 and Digi-SAPNE 3.0—at a programme organised by the Directorate of Information Technology (DIT), Government of Tripura, at Women's College, Agartala, on Thursday.
The programme also marked the formal opening of the renovated and developed Matangini Pritilata Sabhagriha at Women's College, providing a modern facility for academic, cultural and institutional activities.
The initiatives were formally launched and inaugurated by Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha, in the presence of senior ministers, government officials, startup founders, innovators, academic representatives and students.
Three initiatives aimed at creating an innovation-driven Tripura
The programme brought together three complementary interventions covering innovation in public service delivery, digital access for students and acceleration of technology-driven startups.
The Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, being organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, aims to encourage students, researchers, innovators and startups to develop practical solutions to challenges relating to governance and public service delivery.
The initiative is intended to create a pipeline of innovative ideas that can potentially improve citizen-centric services and contribute to better developmental outcomes across the State.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Manik Saha reiterated the State Government's commitment to creating an innovation-driven, digitally empowered and future-ready Tripura. He stressed the importance of encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting technology adoption and enabling young people to become innovators and job creators.
MYYY has benefited over 63,000 students
A major component of Thursday's programme was the launch of the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana for Academic Year 2025-26, a flagship initiative aimed at promoting digital inclusion among students.
According to the Directorate of Information Technology, the scheme was introduced in the 2019-20 academic year and has so far benefited more than 63,000 students, with a cumulative expenditure of over Rs.31.62 crore.
The scheme has been positioned as an important intervention to bridge the digital divide by facilitating access to smartphones and digital platforms. The Government says the initiative has supported students in education, digital learning and skill development.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0 inaugurated
Another major highlight was the inauguration of the third edition of Digi-SAPNE—Digital Startup Accelerator Program for North East.
The programme is implemented by AIC-SMUTBI in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0 is designed to support technology-driven startups from the North Eastern Region through structured mentorship, business acceleration, investor connect, networking and broader ecosystem support.
The launch of the third edition from Tripura comes against the backdrop of the State Government's efforts to develop a stronger startup ecosystem under the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024.
Three Tripura-based startups—Cubo Bots, Acuvea Healthcare Technologies and HN Technovations LLP—had previously been selected under earlier editions of Digi-SAPNE, highlighting the participation of entrepreneurs from the State in regional startup programmes.
During Thursday's programme, eight startups selected under Digi-SAPNE 2.0 were felicitated in recognition of their achievements.
Government seeks to expand startup ecosystem
Speaking on the occasion, Information Technology, Finance, Planning & Coordination Minister Pranajit Singha Roy described the three initiatives as components of an integrated approach to digital empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship.
He highlighted the different roles of the programmes, stating that MYYY is aimed at expanding digital access among students, the Seva First Innovation Challenge is intended to promote technology-based solutions to governance challenges, while Digi-SAPNE 3.0 will provide opportunities for startup growth.
Singha Roy also highlighted plans to strengthen the startup ecosystem through Regional Startup Hubs, expansion of the New Generation Innovation Network (NGIN) and continued support for innovators, startups and entrepreneurs.
He urged students, innovators and startups to make active use of the opportunities being created through the initiatives.
Higher Education institutions to play key role
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman underlined the importance of educational institutions in nurturing innovation, creativity and entrepreneurial thinking among students.
He said initiatives such as the Seva First Innovation Challenge and Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana could provide students with greater opportunities to engage with technology, innovation and entrepreneurship.
According to Barman, higher educational institutions have an important role in developing the next generation of innovators and job creators, while innovation and entrepreneurship activities need to be expanded across institutions in the State.
Progress under Startup Policy 2024 highlighted
Dr. P. K. Goyal, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology & Finance, highlighted the progress being made under the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024.
He said the Government has been supporting startups through policy incentives, startup recognition, mentoring, incubation support, market-access initiatives and partnerships with ecosystem organisations.
The growing participation of entrepreneurs, he said, reflects increasing engagement with Tripura's developing startup ecosystem.
Startup Tripura, T-RISE, T-NEST and NGIN
Jeya Ragul Geshan B., IFS, Director of Information Technology, outlined various initiatives being undertaken by DIT to strengthen innovation and entrepreneurship in the State.
He highlighted programmes and platforms including Startup Tripura, T-RISE, T-NEST and NGIN, along with collaborations with national and other ecosystem partners.
These initiatives are intended to improve startups' access to mentoring, incubation, market opportunities, investment networks and other forms of ecosystem support.
Senior officials, academics and industry representatives attend
The programme was attended by Pranajit Singha Roy, Minister for Information Technology, Finance, Planning & Coordination; Kishor Barman, Minister for Higher Education; Kiran Gitte, IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Information & Cultural Affairs; Dr. P. K. Goyal, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology & Finance; Jeya Ragul Geshan B., IFS, Director, Information Technology; Rajeshwar Singh Jenwar, Director & Head, Software Industry Promotion Division, MeitY; and Dr. Gopalakrishna Prabhu, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University.
Senior government officials, startup founders, innovators, representatives of educational institutions, ecosystem stakeholders and students from different parts of Tripura also participated.
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