Last Updated on July 19, 2026
Summary✨
- The online nomination for the ICT Award 2026 opened on Shrawan 1, celebrating innovations from Nepal and South Asia.
- The award includes numerous categories such as Startup ICT Award, Digital Education ICT Award, and South Asia AI Innovation ICT Award.
- Nominations can be submitted until August 31, 2026, through www.ictaward.org, and the application process is free.
- A Grande Finale will take place in the first week of Poush, 2083, with over 1500 expected attendees and various pre-events leading up to it.
- The ICT Award aims to recognize contributions in the ICT sector and promote technological excellence across South Asia.
The online nomination (application) for the 11th edition of the ICT Award (2026) has opened on Shrawan 1. This edition of the awards includes recognition for provincial as well as South Asian innovations and innovators.
The event is organized by Living with ICT. It started in 2016. According to the organizer, the Grande Finale of this fair will be held in the first week of Poush, 2083. It’s expected that the program will attract participation of over 1500 people at the national and international levels.
ICT Award is considered a great recognition in Nepal’s ICT landscape.
ICT Award 2026 Categories
The ICT Award 2026 includes categories for startups, innovations, and products from the technology sector. On the institutional level, the award also recognizes digital efforts in government and private institutions. The award also honors individuals based on their contributions to the nation through the information and communication technology sector.
For the past three years, the Award category South Asia Startup ICT Award has been operating, which aims to honor innovation from South Asia. From this year, the AI Innovation South Asia ICT Award has also been launched. The ICT Award has also maintained collaboration with prestigious international awards such as the World Summit Awards and the APICTA Awards.
Before the Grande Finale, the organizer will organize dozens of pre-events across all categories. Additionally, there will be over 25 selection rounds, television shows, startup fests, and more.
Living With ICT says that the ICT Award 2026 will have 20 expert jury members from national and international levels to select the best among the 16 categories. Also, an advisory committee of over 15 individuals from the government and private sectors will be formed.
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Category A
The Category A includes the Startup ICT Award, Product ICT Award, Rising Star Innovation ICT Award, and Social Innovation ICT Award. In these categories, the competitors themselves must register the application.
Category B
Category B award recipients are selected on the basis of their contributions to society and the nation through technology. This category includes the Pioneer ICT Award, Professional Excellence ICT Award, Professional Excellence ICT Award (Woman), Entrepreneur ICT Award, and Nepali Diaspora ICT Award. In these categories, the nomination can be registered either by the individuals themselves or by anyone else by providing personal details.
Category C
Likewise, Category C nominations are taken on the basis of digital transformation, use of innovative technology, and related efforts made by government and private institutions. This includes the Digital Governance ICT Award, Digital Education ICT Award (Public Sector), Digital Education ICT Award (Private Sector), Digital Services ICT Award (Enterprise Sector), and Digital Services ICT Award (Emerging Sector).
Category D
Under Category D, startups and AI companies from India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives, Nepal, and Afghanistan can apply for the South Asia Startup ICT Award and the South Asia AI Innovation ICT Award.
Online application for ICT Award 2026
Nominations (applications) for the ICT Award 2026 are available at www.ictaward.org. The nomination is already live. Razab Lamsla, the chairperson of the organizing committee, has said that nominations will remain available until Bhadra 15, 2083 (August 31, 2026). The application process is free of cost.
Award categories and application process for the ICT Award
The 16 award categories are in 4 different fields. Here are more details for each category and eligibility criteria.
A. Categories related to startups and innovation:
1. Startup ICT Award 2026: Recognizes technology startups working on IT products, services, and innovation. Startups registered within the last five years are eligible to apply.
2. Product ICT Award 2026: Honors software, hardware, apps, AI solutions, and other digital products launched within the last two years by Nepali companies, institutions, groups, or individuals.
3. Rising Star Innovation ICT Award 2026: Recognizes students and youth under 27 for innovative tech products, research, AI solutions, and prototypes. Company registration is not necessary, and individuals can nominate themselves or by a team of up to four.
4. Social Innovation ICT Award 2026: Honors technology-driven solutions addressing social and environmental challenges in sectors such as health, education, agriculture, governance, and climate action. Eligible innovations should have demonstrated impact within the last five years.
B. Categories of individual honors based on contribution:
5. Pioneer ICT Award 2026: Honors senior ICT professionals with 20+ years of outstanding contributions to Nepal’s ICT sector. Eligible individuals can self-nominate, or others can nominate them on their behalf.
6. Professional Excellence ICT Award 2026: Recognizes IT professionals with at least 5 years of experience for their expertise, leadership, and significant contributions to the technology industry.
7. Professional Excellence ICT Award 2026 (Woman): Presented to Nepali women in ICT with 5+ years of professional experience who have made notable contributions as entrepreneurs, leaders, or technology professionals.
8. Nepali Diaspora ICT Award 2026: Honors Nepali-origin ICT professionals living abroad who have contributed to Nepal’s digital ecosystem. Applicants must have at least 5 years of work experience.
9. Entrepreneur ICT Award 2026: Recognizes Nepali IT entrepreneurs with 10+ years of business experience for driving innovation, business growth, job creation, and technological advancement. Self-nominations and third-party nominations are available here, too.
C. Awards related to technology-friendly institutions and services
10. Digital Governance ICT Award 2026: Recognizes government agencies, departments, local bodies, and public institutions for improving public services through digital transformation and technology.
11. Digital Education ICT Award 2026 (Public Sector): Honors government and community educational institutions that have enhanced teaching, learning, and educational management through the effective use of ICT.
12. Digital Education ICT Award 2026 (Private Sector): Recognizes private educational institutions for adopting ICT to improve education quality, learning, and institutional management.
13. Digital Services ICT Award 2026 (Enterprise Sector): Honors companies, banks, hospitals, insurers, and other organizations that have modernized public service delivery through digital technology.
14. Digital Services ICT Award 2026 (Emerging Sector): Recognizes startups and technology companies developing innovative digital solutions using AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT, robotics, and other emerging technologies. Eligible products or services must have launched within the last five years.
D. International award categories
15. South Asia Startup ICT Award 2026: Recognizes technology startups from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Eligible startups must have registered within the last five years.
16. South Asia AI Innovation ICT Award 2026: Honors outstanding AI-based products and solutions developed in South Asian countries. The award aims to promote AI innovation, regional collaboration, and technological excellence across the region.
Additionally, through the Province Startup ICT Recognition 2026, one outstanding technology startup from each of the seven provinces will receive recognition. Nominations are open for all these awards and honors, and anyone may apply within the nomination period.
FAQs on ICT Award 2026
The online nomination for ICT Award 2026 opened on Shrawan 1, 2083 (July 17, 2026), and applications will remain open until Bhadra 15, 2083 (August 31, 2026). Interested individuals, startups, and institutions can apply free of cost through the official ICT Award website.
ICT Award 2026 features 16 award categories divided into four groups: startups and innovation, individual honors, digital transformation by institutions, and South Asian awards. This year also introduces the South Asia AI Innovation ICT Award.
Technology-focused startups in Nepal that have been registered within the last five years and are working on IT products, services, or innovative solutions are eligible to apply for the Startup ICT Award 2026.
No. The nomination process for ICT Award 2026 is completely free, allowing eligible startups, innovators, professionals, and institutions to apply without paying any registration fee.
The South Asia Startup ICT Award and the newly launched South Asia AI Innovation ICT Award are open to applicants from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
