IIT Ropar Hosts State-Level Exhibition and Felicitation Ceremony for “Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge”

IIT Ropar Hosts State-Level Exhibition and Felicitation Ceremony for “Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge”

Bahadurjeet Singh/ royalpatiala.in News/ Rupnagar,January 15,2026  

The Indian Institute of Technology Ropar successfully organized a State-Level Exhibition and Felicitation Ceremony for Punjab as part of the prestigious “Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge.” The event celebrated young innovators whose design solutions are contributing to the vision of ViksitBharat@2047.

Organized under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, this national-level design competition is an initiative of the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. The challenge invites youth aged 18–29 years to develop innovative design solutions addressing India’s socio-economic and cultural challenges with emphasis on social impact and scalability.

Several teams from across Punjab registered through the online portal for the state-level round. Shortlisted teams were invited to IIT Ropar to present their design innovations during the exhibition, showcasing creative solutions to pressing national challenges.

Recognition of Outstanding Innovations

Prof. Rajeev Ahuja, Director, IIT Ropar, felicitated two exceptional student innovators whose groundbreaking solutions address critical issues facing India today.

The first award-winning design, “Cleanliness Saathi,” presented an innovative AI-enabled smart dustbin system aimed at transforming urban cleanliness in India. This technology-driven solution directly supports the Swachh Bharat mission by enhancing municipal waste management efficiency through artificial intelligence.

The second recognized design focused on revolutionizing mental healthcare delivery in India by integrating mental health services with primary healthcare infrastructure, addressing a crucial gap in accessible healthcare.

Vision for India’s Development

While felicitating the winners, Prof. Ahuja emphasized the critical role of youth-led design innovation in building a developed and inclusive India. “Both solutions exemplify the spirit of Viksit Bharat@2047 by addressing fundamental challenges in healthcare accessibility and urban cleanliness through innovative, scalable, and technology-driven approaches,” he stated.

IIT Ropar’s Commitment to Innovation

IIT Ropar remains steadfast in its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship among young minds. The institute continues to provide platforms that enable youth to develop solutions capable of transforming India’s socio-economic landscape. The award-winning designs from this competition demonstrate how design thinking, combined with technology and deep understanding of ground realities, can create meaningful impact at scale.

The “Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge” represents a significant step toward harnessing the creative potential of India’s youth in nation-building and achieving the goals of Viksit Bharat@2047.