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ActiveCentral Sector SchemeLaunched July 2022Verified: 2026-09-26

GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)

Seed funding and market access support up to ₹25 Lakh for tech startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities across India available across districts in All India.

Audited by Eligo Public Policy Research Desk•Official Gazette & Nodal Portal Verification•Read Verification Standards →
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Official Nodal Portal:meitystartuphub.in

Quick Eligibility Snapshot

👤 Age 20–55 yrs💰 No income ceiling⚖ All genders🏛 All categories📍 All India
Government Levelcentral Government
Administering BodyMinistry of Electronics and Information Technology
Beneficiary Sector
Applicable Jurisdiction

₹Benefits & Entitlement Breakdown

Financial funding of up to ₹25,00,000, cloud credits, customer discovery mentorship, and investor matchmaking to discover and scale promising tech startups emerging from beyond Tier-I metro cities.

📊Budget Allocation & Beneficiary Reach

Fiscal Budget Allocation

₹490 Crore regional tech entrepreneurship programme

Official Budget Document ↗
Beneficiary Reach

Targeting over 1,500 startups in Tier-II/III cities

As of: 2026-01-20PIB / Official Citation ↗

Verified Eligibility Criteria

Age Requirement:20 to 55 years
Annual Family Income Ceiling:No gross income ceiling specified
Target Occupations:startup founder, tech entrepreneur
Eligible Gender:all
Social Category / Reservation:all
Specific Operational Conditions & Exclusions:

DPIIT-recognized technology startups registered and operating primarily in Tier-II or Tier-III cities of India.

📄

Required Documents Checklist

Verify readiness before applying for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS). Check off your papers or print this list before visiting your local CSC / Cyber Cafe.

Mandatory Documents(3)

Check off as ready
💡

Keep self-attested photocopies and clear digital scans (100 KB – 200 KB, PDF/JPG format) ready to avoid portal upload timeouts.

🛡️Civic Research Desk • Rejection Prevention

Worried About Application Rejection for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)?

Over 30% of applications on official portals get delayed or rejected due to minor certificate authority mismatches or unseeded bank accounts. Our civic research desk compiles a verified 1-page Scheme Blueprint tailored to your state and profile.

  • ✓Valid issuing authority rules (Tehsildar/SDM)
  • ✓Aadhaar-DBT bank seeding verification
  • ✓Direct official portal guide (no middlemen)
  • ✓Email delivery in 1–2 hrs during desk hours
Civic Research Fee:₹49One-time
Get Scheme Blueprint (₹49)→

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Application Effort & Process Friction

Readiness assessment derived from official prerequisites, mandatory documentation, and submission channels.

Moderate Process (2/10)
•100% digital online application process
•3 mandatory supporting documents required

Effort scores reflect portal accessibility, mandatory document burden, and physical verification requirements.

How to Apply

🌐 Online Portal Route
🛡️
Government Application Safety Advisory:Application for this welfare program is processed exclusively on official government infrastructure (meitystartuphub.in). Never pay registration charges or advance processing fees to unauthorized third-party agents. Central and State welfare scheme applications do not require paying private intermediaries.
  1. 1

    Register company profile on MeitY Startup Hub portal (meitystartuphub.in).

  2. 2

    Apply under the GENESIS cohort challenge for your geographic region.

  3. 3

    Shortlisted startups undergo 12-week acceleration followed by seed capital sanction.

✅Before You Begin — Pre-Application Checklist

✓Ensure Aadhaar is linked with active mobile number
✓Bank account is NPCI-mapped (Aadhaar-seeded) for DBT
✓Check if you already receive a similar Central scheme benefit
✓Keep documents ready: income/caste/domicile certificates as applicable

⚠️Common Rejection Reasons — Avoid These

Startups headquartered in Tier-I metro cities (Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad) or company older than 5 years.

Official Government Application Portal

You will be redirected to the secure official portal: meitystartuphub.in

Apply on official government website
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Frequently Asked Questions (Officially Sourced)

Verified answers sourced directly from official circulars, gazettes, and portal FAQs. Never AI-invented.

Which cities qualify as Tier-II and Tier-III under GENESIS?

All Indian cities outside the top 8 metropolitan hubs qualify, including cities like Indore, Coimbatore, Bhubaneswar, Guwahati, and Jaipur.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What are the key benefits provided under GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)?

Under official guidelines for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS), beneficiaries are entitled to: Financial funding of up to ₹25,00,000, cloud credits, customer discovery mentorship, and investor matchmaking to discover and scale promising tech startups emerging from beyond Tier-I metro cities.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

How do I apply for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)? What is the official process?

To apply for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS), applicants should follow the official procedure: 1. Register company profile on MeitY Startup Hub portal (meitystartuphub.in). 2. Apply under the GENESIS cohort challenge for your geographic region. 3. Shortlisted startups undergo 12-week acceleration followed by seed capital sanction.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

What documents are required to apply for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)?

The mandatory documents required for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) include: DPIIT Startup Recognition Certificate, Company Registration Certificate with Tier-II/III Address, Pitch Deck and Product Demonstration Link. Applicants must ensure all copies are valid and attested.

Source: Official Scheme FAQ ↗

Can I track my GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) application status?

Application status for GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) can typically be tracked through the official portal at meitystartuphub.in using your Aadhaar number, application reference number, or registered mobile number. Alternatively, contact the scheme helpline or visit your nearest Common Service Centre (CSC).

What should I do if my GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) payment is delayed or rejected?

First, verify your Aadhaar-bank account seeding status on the NPCI mapper (npci.org.in). If seeding is confirmed and payment is still pending, register a complaint on the Central Public Grievance Redressal System at pgportal.gov.in. You may also file an RTI application at rtionline.gov.in to obtain official rejection reasons within 30 days.

Is there an income tax implication for receiving GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) benefits?

Agricultural income and certain welfare subsidies may be exempt from income tax under Section 10 of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Tax treatment varies by scheme type and beneficiary income level. Consult a certified tax practitioner or visit incometax.gov.in for scheme-specific tax guidance.

Common Rejection Reasons & Warnings

Startups headquartered in Tier-I metro cities (Bengaluru, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad) or company older than 5 years.

Editorial Verification & Change Log

Scheme verification and change history
DateFieldDescription / UpdateSource Citation
2026-10-18scheme_typecsOfficial Source ↗
2026-10-06short_descriptionSeed funding and market access support up to ₹25 Lakh for tech startups in Tier-II and Tier-III cities across India available across districts in All India.Official Source ↗
2026-09-26initial_verificationBaseline verification of GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) guidelines, benefits, and portal integration.Official Source ↗

⚖Compare with Similar Schemes

Side-by-side eligibility, benefit, and effort comparison:

Application Window & Deadlines

Cohort rounds announced every 6 months on meitystartuphub.in

Scheme Intelligence

How is this calculated? ↗
Data ConfidenceFully Verified (95%)

Verified 23d ago from .gov.in source

Access FrictionModerate Process

Requires documentation or office visit

How to Apply🖥Apply Online
Scale & Impact
👥Targeting over 1,500 startups in Tier-II/III cities (as of 2026-01-20)
₹₹490 Crore regional tech entrepreneurship programme budget allocation
📅Running since 2022
🔄3 verified updates — actively maintained

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📅Scheme Milestone Timeline

2026-10-18scheme_type

cs

Official Source ↗
2026-10-06short_description

Seed funding and market access support up to ₹25 Lakh for tech startups in Tier-...

Official Source ↗
2026-09-26initial_verification

Baseline verification of GEN-NEXT Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS) guid...

Official Source ↗
⚡

Schemes You Can Stack With This

Complementary programs with non-conflicting eligibility that you can claim concurrently:

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)₹6,000 (annual)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban (PMAY-U / Housing for All)₹2,50,000 (one-time)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)₹1,20,000 (one-time)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)₹5,00,000 (annual)✓ Open to all genders · Overlapping profile match

Official Helpline & Nodal Offices

Innovation & IPR Division, MeitY

6 CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi 110003

Helpline: 011-24363124

Jurisdiction: Central (All India)

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Verification Metadata

Last verified by Eligo researchers on 2026-09-26 against official government documentation.

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