**Agartala, October 1:** Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Thursday launched a set of initiatives targeting digital empowerment of students, innovation in governance and growth of technology-based startups, saying the state was preparing its youth for emerging opportunities.
The initiatives were unveiled at Women’s College here during a programme 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 stressed the importance of technology, innovation and entrepreneurship in creating new avenues for young people. He said the government was working towards developing an ecosystem that would encourage youth to pursue innovative ideas and entrepreneurship.
The Tripura Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026, launched under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, will provide students, researchers, innovators and startups an opportunity to propose solutions to challenges faced in governance and public service delivery.
Officials said the challenge is intended to encourage technology-based problem-solving and generate ideas that could improve citizen-centric services.
The Mukhyamantri Yuba Yogayog Yojana was launched for the 2025-26 academic year as part of the government’s efforts to improve digital access among students.
Since the scheme was introduced in 2019-20, more than 63,000 students have benefited, with expenditure crossing Rs 31.62 crore, officials said. The programme facilitates access to smartphones and digital platforms to support education, skill development and digital learning.
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 offer technology startups in the Northeast mentorship, business acceleration, investor connect and ecosystem support.
Eight startups selected under Digi-SAPNE 2.0 were felicitated. Officials said three Tripura startups — Cubo Bots, Acuvea Healthcare Technologies and HN Technovations LLP — had featured in previous editions.
Information Technology Minister Pranajit Singha Roy said the initiatives complemented each other by addressing digital access, innovation and startup development. He also referred to Regional Startup Hubs and expansion of the New Generation Innovation Network.
Higher Education Minister Kishor Barman underlined the role of educational institutions in nurturing entrepreneurial skills.
IT and Finance Secretary P K Goyal highlighted support available under the Sector Agnostic Tripura Start-Up Policy 2024, while IT Director Jeya Ragul Geshan B spoke about Startup Tripura, T-RISE, T-NEST and NGIN.
Senior officials, entrepreneurs, innovators, academics and students attended the event.
