IARI-Pusa Krishi Opens Applications for UPJA and ARISE Grant Programs 2026–27

 

New Delhi, May 10: IARI-Pusa Krishi has invited applications from agripreneurs, startups, and students for its flagship Grant-in-Aid programmes — UPJA (Seed) and ARISE (Pre-seed) — for the financial year 2026–27 under the RKVY-RAFTAAR initiative.

The programmes aim to strengthen India’s agri-startup ecosystem by providing financial assistance, incubation support, mentorship, and market linkages to innovators working in agriculture and allied sectors.

UPJA Program Offers Funding up to ₹25 Lakhs

The UPJA programme is designed for startups that have progressed beyond the prototype stage and are preparing for commercial launch or market expansion.

Selected startups under the programme can receive grant support of up to ₹25 lakh along with access to business mentoring, product validation, pilot testing opportunities, market strategy development, investor networking, and incubation infrastructure.

According to officials, the programme focuses on helping startups scale technologies and innovative agricultural solutions capable of addressing real-world farming challenges.

ARISE Supports Early-Stage Agri Innovations

The ARISE programme targets aspiring agripreneurs and innovators at the idea or early development stage. The initiative provides pre-seed support to help entrepreneurs convert concepts into sustainable agri-business models.

Selected participants can receive funding support of up to ₹5 lakh along with one-on-one mentorship, technology validation assistance, market exposure, and business development guidance.

The programme is expected to particularly benefit first-time founders and young innovators entering the agriculture sector.

Student Orientation Program for Young Innovators

Apart from startup-focused schemes, IARI-Pusa Krishi is also offering a Student Orientation Program aimed at encouraging entrepreneurial thinking among students interested in agriculture and allied sectors.

Under the initiative, selected students may receive financial support of up to ₹4 lakh along with mentorship, training, idea validation assistance, and exposure to the startup ecosystem.

Significant Startup Ecosystem Impact

Officials stated that IARI-Pusa Krishi has already funded 231 startups under the RKVY Innovation and Agri-Entrepreneurship Programme and has mentored or trained over 606 startups through various incubation and entrepreneurship initiatives.

The institution said the programmes have contributed significantly to promoting agricultural innovation, sustainable farming technologies, and rural entrepreneurship across India.

Eligibility and Application Deadline

Applications are open to Indian citizens, agri-startups, innovators with agriculture-related business ideas, and students interested in entrepreneurship.

The last date to submit applications for the 2026–27 cycle is May 17, 2026.

Interested applicants can find detailed eligibility criteria and application procedures on the official IARI-Pusa Krishi website.