Watch the highlights from the last edition – Agami Prize 2020
Agami Prize 
is a biennial Prize to recognize innovative ideas that serve justice. Ideas that are backed by entrepreneurs who are paving the way for more of us to participate in making justice.
Prize Timeline
Grand Jury
Vidya Shah
CEO – EdelGive Foundation
Arun Maira
Former member of Planning Commission of India & former Chairman of Boston Consulting Group, India
Justice Gita Mittal
Former Chief Justice of the Jammu & Kashmir High Court
Osama Manzar
Founder & CEO – Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF)
Kailash Nadh
CTO – Zerodha
Prize Categories
Choose the category that’s relevant to your idea
Shamnad Basheer Prize
The Shamnad Basheer Prize will be awarded to two mature initiatives that are innovatively transforming our systems of law and justice. These initiatives have proven that their ideas can work, and are now growing and consolidating their impact.
Idea Prize
The Idea Prize will be awarded to two early-stage initiatives that could innovatively transform our systems of law and justice. These initiatives are testing and/or building proof of concept for their ideas. The Idea Prize is supported by the Jayasimha Foundation in memory of Late Justice R Jayasimha Babu.
Both categories are open to different types of initiatives – for-profits, not-for-profit, unregistered entities, hybrids, as well as initiatives inside existing organizations. Do note that initiatives emerging from within the State institutions, be it the Judiciary, Legislature, or Executive are not eligible for the Prize.
Partners
What 'is' the Prize?
The Prize offers cash prizes of upto 10 lakhs for winners. But, the Prize isn’t about just winning. Shortlisted initiatives from 2018 and 2020 continue to engage with Agami to grow their network, build new collaborations and grow the field of innovation in law and justice.
10 Lakh Prize
Unrestricted Cash Prize to each of the two winners of the Shamnad Basheer Prize
5 Lakh Prize
Unrestricted Cash Prize to each of the two winners of the Idea Prize
Visibility
Visibility for the ideas shortlisted for the Agami Prize and the people behind the ideas
Meghana Srinivas, Founder, TrustIn on her experience of Agami Prize 2020
Watch what she had to say
Apar Gupta, Executive Director, Internet Freedom Foundation on his experience of Agami Prize 2020
Watch what he had to say
Is my nomination eligible?
Here’s the eligibility criteria
Initiatives must meet the following general eligibility criteria to be nominated (or for self-nomination). Initiatives that do not meet the below-mentioned criteria may be excluded from the first evaluation
Site of Change
The core idea should see the systems of law and justice as a site of change in itself and advance our systems of law and justice.
Based in India
Initiatives must be based in India, and have India as an important market and / or target area.
Dedicated Team
Have a dedicated team, i.e., one or all of the founding team members are working on the initiative full-time.
EXCEPTION: In case of the Agami Idea Prize, eligibility is satisfied if at least one of the founders commits to work on the initiative full-time within 3-6 months of the nomination.
At an Inflection Point
The initiative must be at an inflection point in its life cycle where it is poised for significant growth and impact.
EXCEPTION: Early stage initiatives being considered under the Agami Idea Prize are eligible to apply even if they are not poised for significant growth and impact.
And how do eligible nominations win?
Here’s the evaluation criteria
Participating initiatives that meet the eligibility criteria will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria
Transformative Innovation
Is the idea innovatively transforming our systems of law and justice?
We are looking for ideas that are built upon unique insights into problems facing our justice system. Ideas that are creating new patterns and new possibilities for justice by challenging existing roles, information flows, processes, relationships or structures. They may or may not be technology focused.
Entrepreneurial Leadership
Is there entrepreneurial leadership behind the idea?
We are looking for ideas that are backed by entrepreneurial leaders who are deeply committed to pursuing the idea. Leaders who can formulate practical pathways and take people along with them. Leaders who will adopt the ideal organizing model (for-profit, not-for-profit, network or movement based) needed to realise the full potential of the idea.
Activating Agency
Does the idea activate agency / advance justicemaking?
We are looking for ideas that invite and create roles for others to become ‘players’ in making justice and not receive services. Ideas that activate agency, especially of those traditionally denied of it. Ideas that create public goods or create new markets for other changemakers to build upon. Ideas that co-opt other leaders, to build a team of teams who are invested in growing the idea.
Can non-lawyers be nominated?
And other frequently asked questions
Got a question?
No problem.
In case we’ve not answered your questions in the FAQ or other parts of this page, feel free to reach out to us with your queries.
Questions Regarding Eligibility
Are non-lawyers or non-legal professionals eligible?
Yes, anyone with an idea that serves justice, is eligible for the prize. Do note that initiatives emerging from within State institutions, be it the Judiciary, Legislature, or Executive are not eligible for the Prize.
Can I be nominated again if I applied in 2018 or 2020?
If you are not a previous winner of the Agami Prize you may nominate yourself, even if you’ve applied before.
What is an Initiative for the purposes of the Agami Prize?
The term ‘Initiative’ includes an independent organization, or an initiative inside an existing organization, or even a coherent project without a legal entity. Where a legal entity is involved it can be either a for-profit, not-for-profit, or hybrid entity. Do note that initiatives emerging from within the State institutions, be it the Judiciary, Legislature, or Executive are not eligible for the Prize.
What do you mean by the term ‘Based in India’?
The term ‘Based in India’ means having a legal entity in India or having the primary operations, whether through an entity or not, in India.
What do you mean by “inflection point in its lifecycle”?
The term “inflection point in its lifecycle” means the initiative is at a critical turning point in its journey. There are certain factors at play (partnerships, critical mass of users, environmental conditions, strategy shift) because of which it is at a precipice of significant growth and impact.
Regarding the Process
Can I nominate myself?
Yes, you may nominate yourself.
Can I nominate more than one initiative?
Yes, there is no limit on the number of nominations per nominator.
When will I know if my nomination has been shortlisted?
Shortlisted nominees will be announced by September 2022.
What is the timeline for the Agami Prize?
Shortlisted nominees will be announced by September 2022. Finalists will be announced by October 2022. And winners will be announced in December 2022 at the Agami Summit.