Key Points
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AI by HER Global Impact Challenge invites women-led teams worldwide to present AI solutions for public good with prizes worth ₹25 lakh.
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AI by HER Global Impact Challenge aims to promote inclusive innovation, gender equality, and deployable AI-for-good applications.
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AI by HER Global Impact Challenge winners will receive mentorship, funding, and global recognition at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Encourages Women-Led AI Solutions for Public Good
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge is a new initiative launched by the Government of India to recognize and reward women-led innovations in artificial intelligence (AI). This global competition aims to support inclusive innovation, gender equity, and social impact through AI-based solutions that can benefit communities and address real-world problems.
Organized by MyGov India in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and IndiaAI, the challenge invites women innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and startups from across the world to participate. The initiative will culminate at the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026, which will be held in New Delhi on February 19–20, 2026.
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge promotes the idea of “AI for All” — encouraging women to take the lead in developing responsible and impactful AI technologies. The competition highlights the government’s commitment to gender inclusion in technology and the growing role of women in shaping India’s AI future.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Offers ₹25 Lakh Reward and Mentorship Opportunities
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge offers women-led teams a chance to win up to ₹25 lakh in prize money, along with mentorship, networking, and visibility opportunities. The top 10 winning teams will receive ₹25 lakh each, while the top 30 finalists will get the opportunity to present their AI projects during the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 before global leaders, investors, and policymakers.
Apart from financial rewards, winners of the AI by HER Global Impact Challenge will gain access to global exposure, potential investor partnerships, and cloud or compute credits to scale their projects. Travel and accommodation expenses for up to two team members per finalist team will also be covered by the organizers.
The government emphasized that intellectual property (IP) rights will remain with the innovators, ensuring that creators retain ownership of their work. This approach supports long-term innovation and empowers women entrepreneurs to build sustainable AI-driven ventures.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Opens Doors for Global Participation
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge is open to women-led teams from around the world, promoting diversity and inclusion in the AI ecosystem. Eligible participants include startups, MSMEs, non-profit organizations, research institutions, and academic groups.
Each participating team can have up to three members, with at least two women in leadership or technical roles. A woman must occupy a key leadership position such as Founder, Co-founder, CEO, CTO, or Product/Technical Lead. This requirement ensures that women are central decision-makers in the innovation process.
Working professionals who wish to participate must provide a No-Objection Certificate (NOC) from their employers. The challenge is only open to pilot-ready or deployable AI solutions, meaning that concept-stage or early ideas without working prototypes will not be accepted.
By setting clear eligibility rules, the AI by HER Global Impact Challenge ensures that entries focus on practical, scalable, and real-world applications of artificial intelligence that can drive measurable social change.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Focuses on Real-World Problem Solving
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge encourages participants to use artificial intelligence to solve pressing global challenges. Entries are invited across six major categories, each addressing an area of social or economic importance.
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Agriculture: AI solutions that improve precision farming, crop monitoring, pest control, and resource optimization.
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Cybersecurity & Digital Wellbeing: AI tools that enhance online safety, privacy, and trust in digital platforms.
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Education: AI-driven tools that make learning more personalized, accessible, and multilingual.
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Healthcare: AI for early diagnosis, telemedicine, predictive analytics, and medical resource planning.
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Energy & Climate: AI systems for clean energy management, climate adaptation, and emission tracking.
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Wildcard/Open Innovation: A flexible category that allows interdisciplinary AI innovations across multiple sectors.
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge thus not only promotes creativity but also ensures that innovations align with real social needs, reflecting India’s vision of using AI as a force for positive global transformation.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Timeline and Participation Process
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge follows a structured process that allows fair evaluation and mentorship for all participants. The challenge opened in October 2025, and applications can be submitted through the official MyGov Portal.
Round 1 (October–November 2025): The first stage involves initial screening of applications based on problem clarity, feasibility, social impact potential, and team capability.
Round 2 (November–December 2025): Shortlisted teams participate in a mentorship bootcamp and present their AI solutions before an expert jury.
Final Showcase (February 2026): The top 30 finalists will be invited to the IndiaAI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, where winners will be announced and awarded.
To apply, participants must submit a detailed proposal outlining their AI model, problem statement, deployment plan, and expected impact. The selection process emphasizes practical solutions that can be scaled and replicated for broader societal benefit.
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge also provides mentorship and expert guidance during the bootcamp stage, helping participants refine their ideas, improve technical design, and strengthen their implementation strategy.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Empowers Women in AI Leadership
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge marks a major step forward in empowering women to take leadership roles in the fast-evolving field of artificial intelligence. By providing funding, mentorship, and recognition, the challenge aims to break barriers that often limit women’s participation in advanced technology sectors.
Through this initiative, the Government of India hopes to inspire a new generation of women AI leaders who can build technologies that serve humanity. The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge highlights the growing importance of gender-inclusive innovation in shaping the digital future.
As AI continues to redefine industries and economies, promoting women’s leadership in this space is essential. The challenge sends a strong message: innovation thrives when everyone has an equal opportunity to contribute.
By recognizing women-led AI solutions, the government not only encourages fairness and equality but also ensures that AI development reflects diverse perspectives and ethical values.
AI by HER Global Impact Challenge Represents India’s Commitment to Inclusive Innovation
The AI by HER Global Impact Challenge aligns with India’s broader vision of building an inclusive and human-centric AI ecosystem. With initiatives like IndiaAI Mission and AI for All, the government continues to promote responsible, transparent, and equitable AI development.
This challenge also complements global efforts toward achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by encouraging AI applications that address issues like education, health, environment, and digital inclusion.
By empowering women to take the lead in creating AI solutions for public good, the AI by HER Global Impact Challenge stands as a model for gender-balanced innovation. It positions India as a global advocate for inclusive technology that benefits both people and the planet.
