Agartala, October 1: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday launched three initiatives aimed at promoting digital inclusion, encouraging innovation in public services and providing support to technology-driven startups in the state.
The programmes were launched at Women’s College here during an event organised by the Directorate of Information Technology. Saha launched the Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana for the academic year 2025-26 and Digi-SAPNE 3.0.
He also inaugurated the renovated Matangini Pritilata Sabhagriha at the college.
Addressing the gathering, Saha said technology and entrepreneurship had an important role in creating opportunities for young people. He called for greater participation of youth in innovation and entrepreneurial activities and encouraged them to develop solutions to emerging challenges.
The Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, being organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, will bring students, researchers, innovators and startups onto a common platform to develop solutions for governance and public service delivery.
Officials said the challenge would encourage technology-based problem solving and generate ideas that could be considered for improving citizen-centric services.
The Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana focuses on extending digital access to students. Since its launch in the 2019-20 academic year, more than 63,000 students have benefited from the scheme, with government spending exceeding Rs 31.62 crore, officials said.
Through the initiative, students have been provided access to smartphones and digital platforms to support education, digital learning and skill development.
The third edition of Digi-SAPNE, or Digital Startup Accelerator Program for North East, was also inaugurated. AIC-SMUTBI is implementing the programme in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0 will provide technology-based startups in the northeastern region with structured mentorship, business acceleration support, investor connect and other ecosystem linkages.
Eight startups selected under Digi-SAPNE 2.0 were felicitated at the programme. Officials said three Tripura startups — Cubo Bots, Acuvea Healthcare Technologies and HN Technovations LLP — had been selected during earlier editions.
Information Technology Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said the initiatives would collectively strengthen digital empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship. He also referred to plans for Regional Startup Hubs and expansion of the New Generation Innovation Network.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman highlighted the role of colleges and universities in developing innovation and entrepreneurial skills among students.
IT and Finance Secretary P K Goyal said the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024 was providing support through incentives, startup recognition, mentoring, incubation and market access.
IT Director Jeya Ragul Geshan B outlined initiatives including Startup Tripura, T-RISE, T-NEST and NGIN.
Senior government officials, startup founders, innovators, academic representatives and students attended the event.
