Ministry of Earth Sciences invites proposals from institutions for Earth Day 2026 activities. Apply for financial support by Feb 28, 2026. Theme: Our Power, Our Planet.
The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, has announced a special initiative for the ‘Earth Day 2026’ celebration. Institutions including Schools, Colleges, Universities, and other Organizations are invited to submit applications and proposals for financial support to organize various activities aligned with the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”. This is a unique opportunity for educational bodies and organizations to contribute to environmental awareness and sustainable practices with government backing.
Quick Overview
| Organization | Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India |
|---|---|
| Event | Celebration of “Earth Day 2026” |
| Theme | “Our Power, Our Planet” |
| Application Start Date | 3rd February, 2026 |
| Application Last Date (General) | 22nd February, 2026 |
| Application Last Date (Remote Areas) | 28th February, 2026 |
| Email for Submission | outreach-earthday@gov.in |
| Official Website | https://www.moes.gov.in |
Event Details & Objectives
Earth Day 2026 will be celebrated on 22 April, 2026, focusing on the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”. The Ministry aims to foster environmental consciousness and promote sustainable actions across the nation.
Key Participation Focus:
- Girl Students: Encouraged to participate actively.
- Differently-Abled Students: Special emphasis on their inclusion.
- Aspirational Blocks & Border Areas: Institutions from these regions are highly encouraged to submit proposals.
Banner & Display Guidelines:
All banners and displays should adhere to Rajbhasha guidelines, incorporating both Regional Language and Hindi. A pledge in Hindi or a regional language, focusing on saving power, water, and trees, is also advised.
Activities for Students/Participants
Mandatory Activities:
- Drives for Conservation: Organize specific drives for promoting renewable energy, saving conventional energy, and maintaining cleanliness, including the removal of Single Use Plastics from surrounding areas. Institutions must ensure collected waste is handed over to the Municipal Corporation/Authority and share photos and weight with MoES.
- Human Chain / Rally: Conduct human chains or rallies with impactful slogans and placards such as ‘Keep the Planet Green, Keep the Energy Clean’, ‘Clean Energy, Bright Future’, ‘Renewable Power, Restored Planet’, all centered around the theme “Our Power, Our Planet”.
- Awareness Campaigns: Create awareness about the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), Government of India, its services, and downloadable Apps for public use.
Optional Activities (Choose either one):
- Creative Expression: Students can engage in plays, songs, musical instrument performances, slogan writing, or drawings (on A3 Size sheets) to raise awareness about the risks associated with ‘Resource Depletion and Climate Change’.
- Plantation Drive: Organize a plantation activity involving planting seeds and plants and nurturing them.
Grant Details & Prizes
The Ministry will provide financial support covering various aspects of the celebration:
Prizes:
Prizes up to Rs. 10,000/- will be awarded for competitions like Slogans, Plays, Songs, and Drawings (A3 Sheet), based on the merit of activities performed by students:
- 1st Prize: Rs 3000/-
- 2nd Prize: Rs 2000/- (for 2 winners)
- 3rd Prize: Rs 1000/- (for 3 winners)
Other Support Components:
- Mementos/Cloth Bags: With ‘MoES with Logo’ and ‘Earth Day-2026: Our Power, Our Planet’ mentioned.
- Refreshments & Stationery: For all participating students.
- Advertisement & Publicity: To ensure wider reach for the event.
- Working Models: Support for working models related to Solar/wind-power, Electric vehicles, Plastic waste and Food Waste recycling, Green energy, etc.
Application Process & Important Dates
Institutions interested in receiving financial support must submit their proposals as per the guidelines:
Application Submission:
- Duly filled application in the prescribed Proforma (one copy) must be submitted.
- The application, preferably a soft copy of the signed proforma, should be sent via email to outreach-earthday@gov.in.
- The subject of the email should be clearly mentioned as: “Earth Day-2026: State, District, Block / Place of activity, Organization’s name.”
- Hard copies can be sent to: “Head, Outreach, MoES, Prithvi Bhavan, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003”.
Important Dates:
| Action | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Submission Start Date | 3rd February, 2026 |
| Application Last Date (General) | 22nd February, 2026 |
| Application Last Date (Remote Areas like Kashmir, Ladakh, Northeastern states, Andaman-Nicobar and Lakshadweep) | 28th February, 2026 |
Post-Activity Submission Requirements:
Organizers are required to submit the following documents to the Ministry:
- Within One Month of Activity: A 4-5 page Event Report, 4-5 photographs, a 2-3 minute short video clip of the activities, and the weight of plastic waste collected and handed over to the Municipality/concerned authority. Mention the number of girl students and differently-abled participants.
- Within Two Months of Activity: Statement of Expenditure (SoE) and Utilization Certificate (UC).
Mandatory Documents for Application
For Registered Societies, NGOs, Private Colleges/Schools, Government Aided Colleges, Non-Government Organizations, Deemed Universities, etc., the following copies must be enclosed with the application:
- Registration Certificate
- Articles/Memorandum of Association
- Byelaws
- Audited Statement of Accounts and Balance Sheet for the last 3 years
- Sources & Pattern of Income & Expenditure for the last 3 years
- List of present office bearers
- Copy of rules and regulations of the society
- Income-Tax Returns (ITRs) for the last three years (applicable for non-professional bodies engaged in Earth System Science outreach)
- NITI Aayog unique ID code
- PAN card copy
- ECS/RTGS details (duly endorsed by bank)
- Duly signed undertaking by organizer(s) for ensuring all possible precautionary safety measures (e.g., Covid-19) for participants/students.
- Scanned copy of the Utilization Certificate (U.C.) of the latest grant received from the Ministry (if any). Pending UCs will prevent further grant release.
Important Instructions for Applicants
- Applicants must carefully read and comply with all terms and conditions before submitting the application.
- Incomplete applications or those not accompanied by required documents will be summarily rejected by MoES, and no correspondence will be entertained.
- The Ministry’s decision regarding financial support will be final.
- If no decision is conveyed before the event’s commencement, it should be assumed that financial support is not sanctioned, and organizers must bear all expenses.
- Canvassing in any form will lead to disqualification.
- All NGOs must be registered on the NITI Aayog portal and obtain unique identifiers before applying for grants from any Ministry. PAN and Aadhaar Card Numbers of all trustees and office bearers should be provided.
- Any unspent balance of financial assistance, along with interest, must be refunded to the Government.
Why Earth Day Matters: The MoES Perspective
Earth Day, celebrated annually, is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about environmental protection. The Ministry of Earth Sciences plays a crucial role in India’s efforts towards sustainable development, climate research, and oceanography. By supporting such widespread celebrations, MoES aims to instill a sense of responsibility towards our planet, especially among the youth. The theme “Our Power, Our Planet” emphasizes individual and collective action in addressing environmental challenges, promoting a greener and more sustainable future.
Tips for a Successful Proposal
To enhance your chances of receiving financial support, consider these tips:
- Clarity & Detail: Ensure your proposal clearly outlines the planned activities, their alignment with the theme, and how they will engage the target audience.
- Innovation: Highlight any unique or innovative aspects of your proposed activities.
- Impact Measurement: Clearly state the expected outcomes and how you will measure the impact of your event (e.g., number of participants, waste collected, awareness generated).
- Document Accuracy: Double-check all required documents for completeness and accuracy to avoid rejection.
- Budget Justification: Provide a clear and justified breakdown of the estimated expenditure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is eligible to apply for financial support for Earth Day 2026?
A: Schools, Colleges, Universities, Institutes, and various Organizations (including registered societies and NGOs) are eligible to apply for financial support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Q2: What is the main theme for Earth Day 2026 as per MoES?
A: The main theme for Earth Day 2026, as specified by MoES, is “Our Power, Our Planet”.
Q3: What are the key mandatory activities expected from participating institutions?
A: Mandatory activities include drives for renewable energy promotion, conventional energy saving, cleanliness (single-use plastic removal), waste handover to municipal authorities, human chain/rallies with slogans, and awareness campaigns about MoES services.
Q4: Is there a specific last date for application submission?
A: Yes, the general last date for application submission is 22nd February, 2026. For remote areas like Kashmir, Ladakh, Northeastern states, Andaman-Nicobar, and Lakshadweep, the last date is 28th February, 2026.
Q5: What documents are essential for NGOs and Registered Societies to submit with their application?
A: Key documents include Registration Certificate, Articles/Memo of Association, Byelaws, Audited Statements for the last 3 years, ITRs for 3 years, NITI Aayog unique ID, PAN card, ECS/RTGS details, and an undertaking for safety measures.
Q6: What happens if my application is incomplete?
A: Incomplete applications or those missing required documents will be summarily rejected by MoES, and no further correspondence will be entertained regarding such applications.
Q7: How will I know if my proposal for financial support has been approved?
A: The Ministry will communicate the final decision to successful applicants. If no decision is conveyed before the event’s commencement, it should be assumed that financial support has not been sanctioned.
Q8: What is the email subject format for submitting the application?
A: The email subject should be: “Earth Day-2026: State, District, Block / Place of activity, Organization’s name.”
Q9: Are there any post-activity submission requirements?
A: Yes, organizers must submit a 4-5 page event report, photos, a short video clip, and details of plastic waste collected within one month. A Statement of Expenditure (SoE) and Utilization Certificate (UC) must be submitted within two months.
Q10: Can institutions from any part of India apply?
A: Yes, institutions from across the country can apply. However, participation of Girl students, differently-abled students, and institutions from aspirational blocks and border areas is specifically encouraged.