The Directorate of Information Technology (DIT), Tripura, launched three major initiatives in Agartala on Thursday to promote innovation, digital inclusion, youth empowerment and Digi-SAPNE 3.0 to accelerate startup development across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Tripura launched the Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 to encourage solutions for governance and public service delivery.
- The Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana has benefited more than 63,000 students since 2019-20 with an expenditure of over ₹31.62 crore.
- Digi-SAPNE 3.0 will support technology-driven startups in the Northeast through mentorship, acceleration, investor connections and ecosystem support.
Tripura has stepped up efforts to strengthen its innovation, startup and digital ecosystem with the launch of three major initiatives aimed at empowering youth and promoting technology-led development.
The Directorate of Information Technology (DIT), Government of Tripura, organised the launch programme at Women’s College, Agartala.
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha launched the Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 and the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana for the 2025-26 academic year. He also inaugurated Digi-SAPNE 3.0, the Digital Startup Accelerator Program for the North East.
The initiatives focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, digital access and opportunities for young people. The programme also brought together startup founders, innovators, students, academic institutions, government officials and other ecosystem stakeholders.
Innovation Challenge Targets Public Service Solutions
The Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 comes under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan. It seeks ideas from students, innovators, researchers and startups to address challenges in governance and public service delivery.
The initiative aims to build a pipeline of practical solutions that can improve citizen-centric services and support development outcomes across Tripura.
The Challenge is open for all and interested participants may use https://trise.tripura.gov.in/ portal to register their names within October, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha said the government remains committed to developing an innovation-driven and digitally empowered Tripura. He stressed the need to promote entrepreneurship, expand technology adoption and encourage young people to become innovators and job creators.
Youth Connectivity Scheme Expands Digital Access
The programme also marked the launch of the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana for the 2025-26 academic year.
The scheme began in 2019-20 and has benefited more than 63,000 students so far. The government has spent over ₹31.62 crore under the programme.
The initiative seeks to reduce the digital divide among students by facilitating access to smartphones and digital platforms. It also supports education, skill development and digital learning opportunities.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0 Focuses on Northeast Startups
The third edition of Digi-SAPNE was another major highlight of the programme.
AIC-SMUTBI implements the Digital Startup Accelerator Program for the North East in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0 will support technology-focused startups across the Northeast through structured mentorship, business acceleration, investor connections and wider ecosystem support.
The launch from Tripura highlights the state’s growing engagement with startup and innovation networks. The initiative also complements efforts under the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024 to encourage entrepreneurship and innovation.
Three Tripura-based startups — Cubo Bots, Acuvea Healthcare Technologies and HN Technovations LLP — had earlier secured selection under previous editions of Digi-SAPNE.
Eight Startups Felicitated
The programme also recognised the eight startups selected under Digi-SAPNE 2.0.
Their felicitation highlighted the programme’s role in supporting technology-driven ventures across the Northeastern region and creating opportunities for emerging entrepreneurs.
According to DIT Tripura officials, the state has made significant progress in developing its startup ecosystem over the past year. The department pointed to increased participation by innovators and entrepreneurs, wider mentoring and incubation support, and stronger links with national innovation and entrepreneurship networks.
Focus on Innovation-Led Growth
The event brought together representatives from government departments, academic institutions, startups and the wider innovation ecosystem. The interaction created opportunities for networking, collaboration and knowledge exchange.
The government said the three initiatives form part of its broader efforts to strengthen the state’s innovation and startup ecosystem through policy support, partnerships and focused assistance for young people, startups and innovators.
The initiatives are intended to promote entrepreneurship, encourage innovation-led solutions and create new opportunities for youth while supporting the broader vision of a Viksit Tripura.
The programme was attended by Information Technology, Finance, Planning and Coordination Minister Pranajit Singha Roy; Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman; Kiran Gitte, IAS, Secretary to the Chief Minister and Information & Cultural Affairs; Dr. P. K. Goyal, IAS, Secretary, Information Technology and Finance; Jeya Ragul Geshan B., IFS, Director, Information Technology; Rajeshwar Singh Jenwar, Director and Head of Software Industry Promotion Division, MeitY; and Dr. Gopalakrishna Prabhu, Vice Chancellor, Sikkim Manipal University.
Senior government officials, startup founders, innovators, academic representatives, ecosystem stakeholders and students from across Tripura also attended the programme.