Agartala, October 1: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday said his government was working towards making the state innovation-driven, digitally empowered and future-ready, with a focus on youth, entrepreneurship and technology.
Saha made the remarks at a programme organised by the Directorate of Information Technology at Women's College here, where he launched three initiatives aimed at promoting innovation and digital inclusion.
The chief minister launched the Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 and the Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana (Academic Year 2025-26) and inaugurated the third edition of Digi-SAPNE, a digital startup acceleration programme for the northeastern region.
He also formally opened the renovated and developed Matangini Pritilata Sabhagriha at Women's College.
Addressing the gathering, Saha emphasised the need to encourage entrepreneurship, increase technology adoption and provide young people with opportunities to become innovators and job creators.
The Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, being organised under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, seeks ideas and technology-based solutions from students, researchers, innovators and startups to address challenges related to governance and public service delivery.
The Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana is aimed at strengthening digital access among students. Since its launch in the 2019-20 academic year, more than 63,000 students have benefited from the scheme, with expenditure exceeding Rs 31.62 crore, officials said.
The initiative has sought to bridge the digital divide by facilitating access to smartphones and digital platforms for education, skill development and digital learning.
Digi-SAPNE 3.0, implemented by AIC-SMUTBI in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, will support technology-driven startups in the northeastern region through mentorship, business acceleration, investor connect and ecosystem support.
Eight startups selected under Digi-SAPNE 2.0 were felicitated during the event. Officials also highlighted that three Tripura-based startups -- Cubo Bots, Acuvea Healthcare Technologies and HN Technovations LLP -- had been selected in earlier editions.
Information Technology Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said the three initiatives represented an integrated approach towards digital empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship. He also highlighted plans for Regional Startup Hubs, expansion of the New Generation Innovation Network and continued support to startups.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman stressed the role of educational institutions in developing innovation and entrepreneurial skills among students.
IT and Finance Secretary P K Goyal said the state was supporting startups through policy incentives, recognition, mentoring, incubation, market access and partnerships under the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024.
IT Director Jeya Ragul Geshan B highlighted initiatives including Startup Tripura, T-RISE, T-NEST and NGIN.
Senior officials, startup founders, innovators, academic representatives and students attended the programme.
