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Viksit Tech 47 | Special Award Category
Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award for Startups — Powered by Dixon · Process Partner techarc
Backing the Builders of Atmanirbhar Bharat's Hardware Future
A special Viksit Tech 47 category honouring the Indian startup whose innovation is making hardware, gadgets, devices, or appliances truly local, reducing import dependence and building world-class design and manufacturing capability at home.
Nominate a Startup for the Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award
Five short sections — nominator details, the innovation, indigenisation impact, supporting materials, and a final declaration. It takes about 10–15 minutes.
About the Award
India's next growth story will be written in silicon, sheet metal, and circuit boards, not just in code. The Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award for Startups celebrates the entrepreneurs turning that story into reality, startups whose breakthroughs in design, engineering, components, or manufacturing processes are helping India build hardware, gadgets, devices, and appliances that were once only imported.
Instituted as a special category at Viksit Tech 47 and proudly powered by Dixon, one of India's largest electronics manufacturing companies, this award goes beyond recognition. It is a signal to the ecosystem: India rewards hardware innovation, and India is ready to scale it.
Dr. M.J. Zarabi
Dr. M.J. Zarabi, founder-chairman and managing director of the Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL), Mohali, is widely regarded as the father of India's first indigenous semiconductor fabrication facility and one of the country's most distinguished microelectronics pioneers. A true champion of localisation and strong advocate of indigenisation, this special award in his honour, is a true reflection of his vision and dream.
Why This Award Exists
Hardware is hard. Startups solving deep manufacturing, component, and design challenges rarely get the spotlight software gets, this award changes that.
Indigenisation is a national priority. From electronics to appliances, reducing import dependence and building local capability is central to India's Viksit Bharat @2047 vision.
Recognition should lead to real momentum. Winners gain visibility with investors, industry leaders, and potential manufacturing/channel partners, not just a trophy.
What the Jury is Looking For
Nominations will be evaluated by an independent jury against the following, weighted criteria:
Innovation & technical depth
Originality and technical rigour of the solution.
Indigenisation impact
Extent to which the innovation replaces/reduces imports or builds local capability.
Scalability & manufacturability
Feasibility of scaling production in India.
Market traction / validation
Evidence of pilots, customers, partnerships, or deployment.
National relevance
Alignment with sectors of strategic importance (electronics, appliances, industrial devices, etc.).
What the Winner Receives
The Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award trophy/citation, presented on stage at Viksit Tech 47.
25 lakh cash prize.
Recognition as part of the official Viksit Tech 47 cohort of award recipients.
Award Partners
About Dixon Technologies — Award Partner
Dixon Technologies is a leading electronics manufacturing powerhouse, driving innovation in consumer electronics and telecommunications. Backed by 24 state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, 6 dedicated R&D centres and a dynamic workforce of over 35,000 employees, Dixon serves as the backbone for both global and domestic brands. Dixon Technologies stands committed to technological excellence, quality manufacturing, and sustainable practices positioning it as a trusted partner in powering the future of electronics.
About Techarc — Process Partner
Techarc is a technology research and advisory firm focused on India's telecom, devices, and digital infrastructure ecosystem. As process partner for the Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award, Techarc supports nomination operations, evaluation, and outreach — helping hardware startups across the country take part in Viksit Tech 47.
Key Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Nominations open | 1st September 2026 |
| Nominations close | 15th September 2026 |
| Winner announced at Viksit Tech 47 | 8th October 2026 |
How to Nominate
- 01 Review the eligibility criteria on the Eligibility & FAQ page.
- 02 Click 'Nominate Now' to open the nomination form.
- 03 Complete all required fields and upload supporting documents.
- 04 Submit before 15th September 2026. Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered.
- 05 Shortlisted startups will be contacted at the email provided for further evaluation.
Self-Nomination & Third-Party Nomination
Startups may nominate themselves, or be nominated by an investor, mentor, industry partner, or ecosystem enabler. Third-party nominators should have the startup's consent before submitting.
Who should apply
Early-stage startups that are at the ideation stage or have built a POC for a hardware, device, gadget, or appliance.
Working in hardware, electronics, gadgets, consumer/industrial devices, or appliances, spanning design, components, sub-systems, or manufacturing processes.
Demonstrated innovation that has led to, or has a credible path to, indigenisation, i.e., replacing or reducing reliance on imported hardware/technology.
Quick Answers
A Jury That Represents the Ecosystem
The IMC Awards are evaluated by a distinguished jury comprising senior leaders from government, telecom service providers, industry associations and the wider technology ecosystem. Bringing together perspectives from across policy, industry and technology, the jury provides a rigorous and informed assessment of the innovations, organizations and achievements shaping India’s digital future.
Mr. Atul B. Lall
Vice Chairman & Managing Director of Dixon Technologies
Mr. Jaswinder Ahuja
Member of the Advisory Committee of Indian Semiconductor Mission
Mr. Randeep Raina
Vice President, Ericsson India
Mr. PVG Menon
Senior Advisor - Electronics & Semicon
Mr. Tufeel Qurishi
Senior Director – Samsung Research India
Dr. M.J. Zarabi Indigenisation Award for Startups is a special category at Viksit Tech 47, powered by Dixon.
Nominations close on 15th September 2026.
