In November 2016, All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) released a Startup Policy document for AICTE approved institutions, to address the need of inculcation of innovation and entrepreneurial culture in higher education institutions (HEIs). The policy primarily focused on guiding the AICTE approved institutions in implementing ‘Startup Action Plan’ of Government of India. Subsequent to release of the Startup policy by AICTE and further interaction & feedback received from education institutions, a need was felt for a more elaborate and comprehensive policy guiding document, which could be applicable for all the HEIsin India

A fifteen member committee was constituted by Ministry of Human Resource Development to formulate detailed guidelines for various aspects related to innovation, Startup and entrepreneurship management. This committee deliberated on various facets for nurturing the innovation and Startup culture in HEIs, which covered Intellectual Property ownership, revenue sharing mechanisms, norms for technology transfer and commercialization, equity sharing, etc. After multiple rounds of meetings, National Innovation and Startup Policy 2019 forstudents and faculties of HEIs were prepared.