Rules of participation

Participation is open only to:

• Industries and Industrial Partners, MSMEs
• Start-ups
• Incubation Centres
• Faculty Members/Professors from Academic or Research Institutions

Students, either as individuals or as independent teams, are not eligible to participate.

• The challenge comprises two distinct, independent problem statements.
• You may submit a proposal for either one or both.
• A separate submission is required for each problem statement.
• Each submission is evaluated independently. Participation in one neither influences nor prejudices the other.
• A participant may qualify for Stage I and/or Stage II in one or both problem statements.

Participants submit and demonstrate a Proof of Concept addressing the problem statement. Your Stage-I submission should include:

• Proof of Concept (PoC)
• Concept brief
• Innovation / novelty write-up (in line with the problem statement)
• Schematic representation
• Engineering feasibility
• Scalability

Based on the evaluation, the top 10 teams per problem statement are shortlisted for a PoC presentation (not more than one hour, in hybrid mode — date and time will be intimated to the selected teams). A maximum of four (4) teams are then selected as Stage-I awardees, each with a provisional award of ₹5,00,000.

Only Stage-I awardees participate in Stage II. Each prepares a comprehensive DPR in the prescribed format covering:

• Detailed introduction of concept / novelty
• Detailed description of innovation
• Methodology / flow chart
• Simulations / analysis / analytical calculation
• 2D or 3D drawings
• Lab-scale demonstration
• Estimated timeline
• Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
• A presentation of the DPR to the committee

The DPR is evaluated for:

• Technical merit
• Feasibility
• Innovation
• Scalability
• Implementation strategy
• Commercial potential
• Relevance to the Technothon objectives

Based on this evaluation, up to two (2) teams are selected for the Stage-II award of ₹50,00,000 each.

The ₹5,00,000 Stage-I award is provisional. It is released only after successful submission of the Stage-II DPR by the awardee, irrespective of whether the team is selected for the Stage-II award.

Selection in Stage I does not entitle a participant to immediate disbursement. Failure to submit the DPR, an incomplete DPR, or submission beyond the timeline without prior approval may result in forfeiture of the Stage-I award.

Stage-II awardees must execute a formal agreement with the Organising Authority before release of the Stage-II award and commencement of project activities. The agreement defines the scope of work, deliverables, milestones, timelines, payment schedule, monitoring and review, IPR, confidentiality, ownership and licensing of outputs, and termination provisions.

Failure or refusal to execute the agreement within the stipulated time may result in cancellation of the Stage-II award and selection of an alternate team.

• The Stage-II award is released in instalments against predefined project milestones and acceptance of the corresponding deliverables.
• Milestones, deliverables, timelines and the fund-release schedule are finalised after DPR evaluation and form part of the agreement.
• The Organising Authority may seek additional demonstrations, presentations, site visits, inspections or documentation before approving any milestone.
• Funds may be withheld, deferred, reduced or terminated for unsatisfactory progress or non-compliance. Misused or unutilised funds are liable for recovery.

• IPR in the PoC, DPR, underlying technologies, methodologies, designs, software and innovations remains vested with the participant(s) and their institute, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
• By submitting, the participant grants the Organising Authority a non-exclusive, royalty-free, non-transferable licence solely for evaluation, validation, documentation and internal governmental / organisational review.
• The Organising Authority maintains confidentiality and will not disclose, reproduce, publish or commercially exploit submissions without the participant's prior written consent, except where required by law or a competent authority.
• Participants are responsible for ensuring their submissions do not infringe any third party's IPR.

• The decision of the Evaluation Committee / Jury at all stages is final and binding.
• The Organising Authority may modify the evaluation process, timelines, award structure, or terms and conditions if considered necessary, without assigning any reason.
• Release of all awards is subject to compliance with the terms and conditions and completion of all required documentation and formalities.
• In case of any discrepancies, the judgement of NIOT Chennai shall be considered as final. Concerned judicial body may be mentioned.
• Each organization shall be entitled to nominate only one team for participation.