IIT Kharagpur will host the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Hardware Edition Grand Finale from December 8 to 12, 2025 . The event takes place during the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebration, marking 75 years since its establishment.
Smart India Hackathon: An Overview
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) organize the Smart India Hackathon. Launched in 2017, SIH has grown into a significant open innovation platform for higher-education students in India. Its purpose is to engage students in solving critical issues. These issues are presented as ‘problem statements’ by various government ministries, public sector undertakings, industries, and non-governmental organizations.
The Hackathon challenges students to develop innovative technological solutions. It aims to foster a culture of product innovation and problem-solving. This includes both software and hardware development. The Hardware Edition focuses specifically on creating physical prototypes and solutions.
Leadership and Patronage
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan support the SIH initiative. Union Minister of State for Education Sukanta Majumdar, Education Secretary Vineet Joshi, and AICTE Chairman Prof. TG Sitharam also serve as co-patrons. Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Grand Finale virtually, an institute spokesperson confirmed. This demonstrates the government’s commitment to youth innovation.
SIH 2025 Participation Details
The current edition, SIH 2025, recorded substantial participation figures nationwide. It received a total of 72,165 idea submissions . These ideas originated from 68,766 student teams across India. The hackathon provided students with 271 problem statements to address. These problems came from diverse entities, including government ministries, PSUs, corporate partners, and various industries.
Before the grand finale, participating institutions conducted internal hackathons. These preliminary rounds involved 2,587 higher education institutions . During these internal stages, 1,42,715 teams participated. This included a total of 8,26,635 students . The extensive reach of these internal events makes SIH 2025 one of India’s largest innovation engagements to date, promoting widespread student involvement in national problem-solving initiatives.
SIH 2025 Participation Breakdown
| Category | Count | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Idea Submissions | 72,165 | Total concepts proposed by student teams. |
| Student Teams (Ideas) | 68,766 | Number of teams submitting initial ideas. |
| Problem Statements | 271 | Challenges posed by government, industry, and NGOs. |
| Problem Sourcing Partners | Multiple | Ministries, PSUs, Corporates, Industry. |
| Participating Higher Education Institutions (Internal Hackathons) | 2,587 | Institutions that conducted preliminary rounds. |
| Teams (Internal Hackathons) | 1,42,715 | Total teams participating in institutional selection rounds. |
| Students (Internal Hackathons) | 8,26,635 | Total students involved in initial hackathon stages. |
IIT Kharagpur’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration
IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951, reaches its 75th year of operation in 2025. Hosting the Smart India Hackathon 2025 Grand Finale is part of the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebration. This event underscores IIT Kharagpur’s foundational mission. IIT Kharagpur Director Prof. Suman Chakraborty acknowledged the significance of hosting the finale. He stated, “Hosting the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2025 during IIT Kharagpur’s historic Platinum Jubilee is both an honour and a reaffirmation of our enduring commitment to nation-building.”
Prof. Chakraborty further emphasized the core values of SIH. He added, “SIH embodies the spirit of young India — fearless in ideas, firm in purpose, and fired by innovation.” The institute’s involvement highlights its role in fostering innovation and contributing to national progress through technological advancements and student engagement.