New Delhi – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Delhi) hosted an exhibition on January 2, 2024 , showcasing innovative design projects from 19 shortlisted teams. The event, held at the IIT Delhi campus, forms part of the national ‘Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge 2026.’ This initiative engages young individuals in creating design-based solutions specifically tailored for Indian contexts.
IIT Delhi served as the designated nodal institute for coordinating the Design for Bharat competition in the national capital. The exhibition also integrated with the broader Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 initiative, highlighting youth contribution to national development.
About the Design for Bharat Challenge
The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports launched the ‘Design for Bharat’ challenge. It functions as a national platform for Indian youth aged 18 to 29 years. The core objective is to inspire participants to develop practical, design-oriented solutions. These solutions must align with the comprehensive vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 , aiming for a developed India by its independence centenary.
The competition invited participants to identify existing real-world problems within local communities. They then proposed feasible design interventions to address these challenges. Key themes included social welfare, educational advancements, and improvements in infrastructure. The initiative specifically aimed to foster teamwork, critical problem-solving abilities, and structured thinking among young innovators. Entries underwent rigorous assessment based on predefined evaluation criteria to progress through successive competition rounds.
Delhi Chapter: Shortlisting and Exhibition
For the Delhi region, over 50 entries initially met the detailed eligibility and evaluation requirements established for the competition. Following a comprehensive review, 19 teams were successfully shortlisted in the initial round. These teams received an invitation to exhibit their work at the IIT Delhi campus.
The exhibition allowed teams to present their concepts and prototypes in detail. Displays included illustrative posters, functional models, and working prototypes of their proposed solutions. This public presentation served as a critical opportunity for the teams to articulate their design thinking and demonstrate the feasibility of their projects to an expert panel.
Jury Evaluation and National Round Selection
An expert jury panel conducted the detailed assessment of the shortlisted entries. This panel comprised experienced faculty members from academic institutions and practicing professional designers active in the Delhi NCR region. Jurors evaluated projects based on established parameters, including originality, feasibility, impact, and alignment with the challenge’s objectives.
Following this evaluation, the jury selected three outstanding projects. These projects received a recommendation to advance to the national-level round of the Design for Bharat competition. Senior officials from MY Bharat, including Director Salil Kumar Agarwal, Deputy Director Abhay Sankar SR, and Programme Executive Jayant Singhal, attended the exhibition and engaged directly with the participating teams to discuss their innovations.
Projects Selected for National Round
The three projects selected to represent the Delhi chapter at the national competition are:
- Project COSMO from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi.
- Unsupervised Learners from Banarsidas Chandiwala Institute of Information Technology.
- Project Nitara from Miranda House.
Faculty members from the School of Planning and Architecture, Delhi; UPID Noida; and the Department of Design at IIT Delhi also reviewed the displayed exhibits, providing additional feedback and insights.
IIT Delhi’s Nodal Role
Sumer Singh, an Associate Professor in the Department of Design at IIT Delhi, coordinated the exhibition in his capacity as the nodal officer. His role involved overseeing the successful organization and execution of the Delhi chapter event.
As a nodal institute, IIT Delhi facilitates this national innovation drive within the capital city. The institute actively collaborates with the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports and the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi, ensuring robust support and successful implementation of the challenge’s activities.
Understanding Viksit Bharat 2047
The ‘Design for Bharat’ challenge is directly linked to the overarching national vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 . This ambitious initiative aims for India to become a developed nation by the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2047. The vision encompasses rapid economic growth, significant social progress, and robust environmental sustainability.
Key pillars of Viksit Bharat 2047 include achieving a high-income economy, ensuring universal access to essential services, promoting innovation and technology, and fostering good governance. Engaging young people through platforms like ‘Design for Bharat’ is considered fundamental. It mobilizes the youth’s creative potential and problem-solving skills to contribute directly to these national development objectives, addressing challenges from grassroots levels up to national policy considerations.