Banasthali Vidyapith, the largest fully residential university for women’s education in the world, was founded on October 6, 1935, by eminent freedom fighters and educationists, Pt. Hiralal Shastri, the first Chief Minister of Rajasthan and Smt. Ratan Shastri, honored with Padma Bhushan by the President of India and with the Jamna Lal Bajaj award for her service to the cause of women's education. The institution is known world over for its dedication to the noble cause of women’s education. Today over 17,000 students receive education in Vidyapith in areas of Arts, Life Sciences, Computer Science, Management, Design, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences etc.

Banasthali Vidyapith is one of the biggest examples of a social innovation incarnate. Over the last 8 decades, the Vidyapith has focused on holistic education & character building with its unique ‘Five-Fold Education ideology’. Banasthali also sees the importance of Entrepreneurship in women, and creating an entrepreneurial ecosystem among students, research scholars and faculty. Entrepreneurship objective of the Vidyapith is not limited to start-ups, innovative ventures and new jobs rather it aims to develop the ability of students and faculty members to think out-of-the-box, think creatively and convert their lab research into commercially viable products through translational research thereby solving real world problems.

Banasthali Innovation Award 2026 is conceptualized to empower and encourage students, scholars and educators to innovate and solve real world problems. This award serves as a platform for recognizing and celebrating creativity, innovation and outstanding contributions, fostering a culture of excellence and inspiration at Banasthali.

The award will be presented in three distinct categories: Category A - Faculty Members for their pioneering contributions to innovation, Category B - Research Scholars and College Students for their groundbreaking innovations and Category C - School students for their innovative ideas.
 

Eligibility Criteria for Faculty Members (Category A):

1. Faculty Members of Banasthali Vidyapith are eligible to apply.
2. The application must demonstrate a significant and original innovation.
3. Innovation should be desirable, viable, feasible and solve a real-world problem.
4. The applicant must provide comprehensive documentation, evidence to substantiate the innovation, including possibilities of its successful commercial implementation.
5. The innovation must be validated through a Research Publication (in SCOPUS, WoS, ABDC), through a Patent or through customer validation/commercialization.
    

Eligibility Criteria for College Students or Research Scholars (Category B):

1. Current Students, Research Scholars of Banasthali Vidyapith are eligible to apply.
2. The application must demonstrate a significant and original innovation.
3. Innovation should be desirable, viable, feasible and solve a real-world problem.
4. The applicant must provide comprehensive documentation, evidence to substantiate the innovation, including possibilities of its successful commercial implementation.
5. The innovation must be validated through a Paper Presentation, Recognitions at National and International Level, Inter- University Competition, Research Publication, or through Patent/ customer validation/ commercialization.
6. Students who are working on their Startup Ideas or Product Development are encouraged to apply.
    

Eligibility Criteria for School Students (Category C):

1. Current school students of Banasthali Vidyapith are eligible to apply.
2. The application must demonstrate a significant and original idea/innovation.
3. Applicants should have a project or created a model or have an innovative idea.

Note: Winners & runner ups of past Innovation Awards are not eligible to apply for the same idea/innovation, however, they can apply for new ideas/innovations.

Evaluation Criteria