48 ideas received; ₹50 lakh top prize announced to tackle Delhi’s pollution crisis

New Delhi |  In a fresh attempt to combat the national capital’s toxic air, the Delhi government has launched a clean-air innovation challenge that has already drawn 48 entries from across India. The initiative, led by Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa, seeks simple, affordable, and scalable solutions to reduce PM2.5 and PM10 emissions — two of the most harmful air pollutants affecting Delhi.

According to officials, 68 percent of the entries focus on ideas to clean the city’s air, while 32 percent target vehicular pollution. Of the total submissions, 30 come from Delhi-NCR and the rest from Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Kerala.

The challenge, now listed on Manthan.gov.in, has expanded its scope beyond the capital, allowing innovators, students, and startups nationwide to contribute. “We are working with top experts and real solutions. Young innovators from small towns and big cities, startups and research teams have stepped forward. This shows how teamwork and science can make a real change,” said Sirsa, announcing that the submission deadline has been extended from October 31 to November 15.

“Delhi’s air belongs to us all, so everyone’s idea matters,” Sirsa said.

Three-Stage Evaluation and Big Rewards

The clean-air innovation challenge involves a three-step selection process:

1. Digital screening by the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC).

2. Technical review and field trials by a panel of experts, where shortlisted teams will receive ₹5 lakh each to pilot their ideas.

3. Verification by national laboratories such as the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) before large-scale deployment.

The final winner will receive a ₹50 lakh grant, and the solution will be implemented city-wide.

Sirsa called the initiative a “first-of-its-kind mission” to crowd-source air-quality solutions. “For the first time, Delhi is crowdsourcing ideas nationwide. It’s not just talking about cleaning the air but implementing solutions 24×7, in every neighbourhood,” he said.

A Citizen-Driven Turn in Delhi’s Air Strategy

Unlike earlier top-down clean-air drives that focused on regulations and seasonal bans, this clean-air innovation challenge shifts the spotlight to citizen-led innovation. The government hopes the initiative will generate practical, low-cost, and replicable models that can be deployed not just in Delhi but also in other polluted cities across India.

Sirsa added that the initiative marks a change in approach – from enforcing restrictions to empowering problem-solvers. “This is Delhi’s fight for clean air. We are setting an example for every state, every city, and the world,” he said.

The Road Ahead

Officials say the selected innovations will undergo real-world testing in pollution hotspots across Delhi. The aim is to identify quick-impact solutions capable of reducing particulate emissions before the peak winter smog season. The government also plans to document and share successful ideas with other states to encourage replication and scale-up.

The clean-air innovation challenge not only reflects Delhi’s determination to restore its air quality but also underscores a new governance model – one that treats citizens as collaborators in problem-solving rather than mere observers.