72 students from 14 universities participate; top 10 startup projects to receive Rs 5 lakh financial assistance each
Bhubaneswar, 16th January, 2026 : The State-Level Innovation and Startup Competition was inaugurated today with the participation of 72 students from 14 universities across Odisha. The two-day competition, being held on 16th & 17th January, is organized for the first time jointly by the Higher Education Department, Government of Odisha, and the Odisha State Higher Education Council, at Rama Devi Women’s University.
Health & Family Welfare, Electronics & Information Technology, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Dr. Mukesh Mahaling graced the inaugural ceremony as the Chief Guest. After formally inaugurating the event, the Minister visited the exhibition stalls and interacted with the students in detail regarding their innovative ideas and research initiatives.
Addressing the gathering, Dr. Mukesh Mahaling said that the State-Level Innovation and Startup Competition organized by the Higher Education Department is playing a significant role in nurturing creativity among students and strengthening the startup ecosystem in the state. He emphasized that such initiatives encourage students to move beyond textbook-based learning and engage in advanced research, innovation, and entrepreneurship, thereby contributing to societal development. Referring to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the Minister Dr. Mahaling noted that greater emphasis is now being laid on experiential learning and research in higher education. He added that the competition provides students with opportunities for self-reliance and aligns with the objectives of the Government of India’s Startup India mission.
It is pertinent to mention here that the competition follows a multi-tier selection process. Initially, college-level competitions were conducted, followed by university-level rounds. Outstanding participants from the university level qualified for the state-level competition. At the state level, a total of 10 best startup projects will be selected, and each selected project will receive financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh from the Higher Education Department. In addition, the selected students will be provided mentorship support and facilities for advanced research.
Students showcased their startup projects across nine categories, including agriculture and rural development, health, food and nutrition, fashion and handloom, artificial intelligence and technology, mental health, finance and business service, education, environment protection and sustainable development. The participants described the competition as an effective platform to showcase their skills, innovation and entrepreneurial potential.
Additional Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shri Dharani Dhar Nanda, Additional Secretary Smt. Pratibha Sahu, Joint Secretary Smt. Mausumi Nayak, Vice-Chancellor of Rama Devi Women’s University, Prof. Chandi Charan Rath, Vice-Chancellor of Utkal University, Prof. Yajneswar Dandapat, Padma Shri awardee Prof. Aditya Prasad Dash, Prof. Bedang Das and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural event.
