27 Student Teams Present Social Impact Proposals in Mock Presentation Round of Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program

Ludhiana, July 13,2026: The Mock Presentation Round of the Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program by CityNeeds Innovations Pvt. Ltd., in association with the District Administration, Ludhiana, supported by Nar Seva Foundation and Gulzar Group of Institutions, witnessed enthusiastic participation from 27 student teams representing various educational institutions. The event was organized at Khalsa College for Women, Ghumar Mandi, where students showcased the findings of their NGO visits and presented the social causes they had identified after extensive field research.
The District Administration, Ludhiana is the official partner of the Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program. The initiative was formally launched on 1st April 2026 by Himanshu Jain, Deputy Commissioner, Ludhiana, with the objective of encouraging youth-led social innovation and strengthening collaboration between educational institutions and grassroots NGOs. Since its launch, the program has witnessed participation from more than 150 students from various colleges and universities, making it one of the region’s most unique social entrepreneurship and experiential learning initiatives.
As part of the selection process, each team presented before an eminent jury panel comprising Maneet Dewan, Founder, CityNeeds; B. D. Goyal, Founder, Nar Seva Foundation; CA Pankaj Garg, Strategic Advisor and Director, Nar Seva Foundation; Bhavna Goyal, Director, Nar Seva Foundation; Ashu Chugh, Manager, Nar Seva Foundation; and Tilak Raj, Chief Incubation Officer, Gulzar Group of Institutions.
Throughout the day, students highlighted the challenges faced by various non-governmental organizations and explained how they had finalized specific causes and requirements after conducting two NGO visits. The presentations reflected the participants’ understanding of grassroots issues and their commitment to developing sustainable and impactful solutions.
The jury evaluated the teams on a comprehensive evaluation matrix that assessed the relevance of the identified problem, impact potential, feasibility of implementation, budget justification, sustainability, and the teams’ understanding and presentation skills. Following a rigorous evaluation process, the jury shortlisted the top ten teams that demonstrated exceptional insight, innovation, and social commitment.
The Mock Presentation Round forms a crucial stage of the Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program, which aims to nurture young social entrepreneurs by connecting them with real-world social challenges and encouraging them to design practical solutions in collaboration with NGOs.
The shortlisted teams will now advance to the Grand Finale, where they will present their detailed pitch decks before the “Dolphins” on 18th July 2026. Out of these ten finalists, the top five teams will each receive a grant of ₹250,000 to implement their social cause in partnership with their respective NGOs, enabling the students to transform their ideas into meaningful action on the ground.
Speaking on the occasion, the jury members appreciated the students’ dedication and emphasized the importance of youth-led innovation in addressing pressing social issues. They encouraged the participants to continue working closely with NGOs and transform their ideas into meaningful and sustainable change.
The Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program has been designed in alignment with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasizes experiential learning, community engagement, critical thinking, entrepreneurship, and multidisciplinary education. By enabling students to work directly with non-governmental organizations and address real-world social challenges, the program provides hands-on exposure beyond the classroom and nurtures leadership, innovation, and problem-solving skills.
The initiative also supports key parameters of the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) by promoting outreach and inclusivity, social responsibility, innovation, industry and community linkages, and experiential learning opportunities. Through field visits, mentorship, and project implementation, participating institutions strengthen their contribution towards nation-building while enhancing student engagement and institutional impact.
Programs such as Dolphin Tank contribute significantly to NAAC criteria related to Curricular Aspects, Teaching-Learning and Evaluation, Extension Activities, Institutional Values and Best Practices, while also strengthening NIRF indicators pertaining to Outreach and Inclusivity, Graduation Outcomes, and Perception.
The Dolphin Tank Student Startup Program continues to provide a unique platform for students to develop leadership skills, understand the nonprofit ecosystem, and create innovative solutions for social development.