New Delhi, July 15 -- The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has announced the opening of applications for the fifth edition of the National Startup Awards, emphasising recognition beyond commercial success to include social impact, sustainability, and scalability metrics.

The evaluation process involves multiple stages, beginning with eligibility screening and sectoral shortlisting, followed by assessment conducted by expert panels.

These panels comprise industry leaders, investors, academicians, and government officials who review applications across diverse sectors including agriculture, clean energy, fintech, aerospace, health, education, cybersecurity, and accessibility.

In March, DPIIT launched the St...