Bengaluru, October 10, 2026: Students from SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai, won first prize at the 10th National Social Enterprise Idea Challenge organised by Azim Premji University. The annual event brought together student teams from across India to present business ideas aimed at addressing social challenges.

Launched in 2016, the challenge promotes social entrepreneurship by providing students with a platform to develop solutions to social problems and interact with mentors and potential funders. This year, 10 teams were shortlisted from more than 270 entries submitted by universities and colleges nationwide. The ideas covered areas including education, livelihoods, healthcare, sustainability and governance.

The winning team from SRM Institute of Science and Technology presented URAPPU, a service designed to help construction workers access government welfare benefits. Through trained facilitators and case-management systems, the initiative supports workers with registration, documentation, eligibility checks, renewals and claims. Under its primary model, builders pay for the service, allowing workers to access it free of charge. The team is also exploring an alternative model that incorporates insurance benefits and may involve contributions from workers based on their category.

Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, secured second prize for SuoMoto, a digital platform designed for visually impaired people and persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). Its SuoMoto Academy offers competitive examination preparation through audio-based learning tools and memory techniques, enabling users to solve problems without pen and paper. SuoMoto Club connects users with employment opportunities, events and peers while supporting safe navigation.

The third prize went to a team representing Azim Premji University, Bengaluru, and Lovely Professional University for GreenPath, a digital platform focused on improving rural waste collection and management. The platform assigns digital identities to households, tracks waste collection through QR codes and monitors segregation and payments. It also provides panchayats with real-time data to support waste management. Designed to function offline and in multiple languages, GreenPath aims to improve local waste management systems and increase the visibility and recognition of waste collectors’ work.

Commenting on the initiative, Samudra Sangkha Gogoi, mentor for the Social Enterprise Cell at Azim Premji University, said: “The Idea Challenge helps us understand the social issues that young people care about. It also shows how they can build sustainable enterprises to address these issues. Reaching the 10th edition inspires us to continue this work.”

The challenge continues to provide a platform for students to develop enterprise-based approaches to social issues, with this year’s finalists presenting solutions across welfare access, disability inclusion and rural waste management.