The Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), founded in 1987 comprises India’s most distinguished engineers, engineer-scientists and technologists covering the entire spectrum of engineering disciplines. INAE functions as an apex body and promotes the practice of engineering & technology and the related sciences for their application to solving problems of national importance.

The Academy instituted the above Award since 1998 to recognize innovative and creative projects undertaken by the engineering students at Master’s and Bachelor levels and theses of research scholars at Doctoral level in engineering institutions, since an early recognition of merit and talent can often mark the beginning of brilliant career.

The nominations are accepted from the students studying in Institutions/ Universities registered under UGC/AICTE/Ministry of Education/competent Government authority of India for potentially innovative projects/theses to be assessed at three levels, viz., B.E./B.Tech/ B.Sc.(Engg)/ BTech and MTech dual degree; M.E./M.Tech/ M.Sc. (Engg)/MS by Research/ MTech and PhD dual Degree and Ph.D. Nominations for the awards 2026 will be accepted by the Academy according to the following eligibility requirement:

• Final Year/4th year B.E./B.Tech/B.Sc.(Engg)/ BTech and MTech dual degree projects completing Bachelors Degree in any of the following academic years 2022–2023, 2023–2024, 2024–2025 and 2025-2026.
• M.E./M.Tech, M.Sc. (Engg)/MS by Research/ MTech and PhD dual Degree theses completing Masters Degree in any of the following academic years 2022–2023, 2023–2024, 2024–2025 and 2025-2026.
• Ph.D theses examined and accepted/recommended for Award in any of the following academic years 2022–2023, 2023–2024, 2024–2025 and 2025-2026.

As the award has been reinstated in 2025–26 after its temporary suspension in 2022–23, nominations in 2026 are invited for projects/theses completed across four academic years – 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, and 2025–26. From 2026-2027 onwards, the award shall be confined to projects/theses completed during the that academic year only.

It is compulsory that Degree / Provisional Degree Certificate must accompany the nomination proforma. BTech and MTech Dual Degree students and MTech and PhD Dual Degree students would be eligible to apply only on submission of certificate of successful completion of the requirements of BTech and MTech course respectively, as the case may be, from the competent authority of the institution/university for any nominee from dual degree courses.

Only one nomination for projects/theses in each of the Engineering Sections of INAE listed in Serial 7 of the Nomination Form, at each level, viz., Doctoral, Master’s and Bachelor are accepted from an Engineering College for assessing their innovative potential and intrinsic merit. The nominations must be sent by Principal/Deans/Heads of Departments/Registrar/Director of Engineering College, where the candidate has carried out his/her project/thesis for award of degree and not through the organization, where the candidate is presently working.

A scanned soft copy of the completed nomination form duly signed by the Principal/Deans/Heads of Departments/Registrar/Director of Engineering College along with all supporting documents / appendices as per the prescribed format should be sent by email to projects.p1@inae.in.

In case, the scanned copy of the filled-in nomination form is not signed (with institute/department seal) by the sponsor, an email should be sent by the sponsor viz Principal/Deans/ Heads of Departments/Registrar/Director of Engineering College/Institution, where the candidate has carried out his/her project/thesis for award of degree, through their official email address authenticating the nomination. Please note, there is no requirement to send a hard copy of the nomination form. Reprints are also not required in any form.

The last date of the receipt of nomination is July 31, 2026.

Maximum of 10 Awardees at each level will be conferred with the Award. The Award shall comprise a certificate and Rs.15000/- in cash for the awardees selected at Doctoral Level; Rs.10000/- in cash for the awardees selected at Master’s Level; and Rs.10000/- in cash to each team, with a ceiling of Rs 5,000/-per team member at Bachelor level.

There would be a two-tier selection process wherein the initial shortlisting would be done by the Selection Committee. The short-listed nominees will be invited to make an online presentation before the Selection Committee on dates to be announced later. The Selection Committee would then recommend the nominee for conferment of the Award for the approval by the Governing Council. The decision of INAE Governing Council in all concerned matters shall be final.

The awards may be conferred during the INAE Annual Convention being held in December each year and awardees inducted as “Student-Members” for a period of five years from their date of award.

Nomination Form