The prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur has officially opened registration for the seventh edition of its highly anticipated Young Innovators' Program. This global science and technology competition targets students from classes 8 through 12, offering them a platform to showcase their creative potential and technical skills.
Application Deadline and Competition Structure
Prospective participants must complete their online submissions by November 30, 2025, to be considered for the initial round of this prestigious competition. The event will commence with a digital first round where teams from both Indian and international schools will compete for selection to the next stage.
According to the competition format, the top-performing teams from the preliminary online round will earn the opportunity to visit the IIT Kharagpur campus for an intensive three-day event. During this campus visit, selected teams will present their working models or prototypes to a panel of expert faculty members from the institute.
Global Recognition and Past Innovations
Professor Anandaroop Bhattacharya, who serves as the Dean of International Relations at IIT Kharagpur, emphasized the program's significance in nurturing young scientific talent. "The Young Innovators' Program has evolved into a worldwide platform that unites the curiosity, imagination, and scientific approach of young learners from different continents," he stated. "We are excited to host the most brilliant young thinkers at our campus."
The program has consistently produced remarkable innovations in previous years. Notable projects that emerged from earlier editions include an accessible green water dispenser designed for differently-abled individuals, an affordable herbal anti-pollution mask, a rapid pothole repair device named 'Pothole Warrior', an artificial intelligence-based oral cancer monitoring system, and an innovative vehicle filter that reduces harmful emissions.
International Participation and Theme Categories
Over the years, the Young Innovators' Program has significantly expanded its international reach, attracting participation from educational institutions across multiple countries. Schools from the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Denmark, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia have regularly sent their brightest students to compete in this global event.
The competition has received commendation from distinguished figures including former President Ramnath Kovind, who praised the initiative for its role in developing scientific temperament among young minds.
For schools interested in participating, the process requires nominating a coordinating teacher who will establish a team account on the official YIP portal. Students can then form groups of two to three members and submit their project abstracts aligned with one of five designated themes: Food Security, Technology for the Specially-abled, Sustainability and Environment, Innovations in Education, and Affordable Healthcare Solutions focusing on hardware development.
Teams that successfully clear the first round will progress to the semifinal and final rounds conducted at IIT Kharagpur's campus. The program also provides additional mentorship opportunities under the guidance of IIT faculty members for teams wishing to further develop their projects beyond the competition.
