Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 Showcases India’s Young Innovators at IMC 2025
The award ceremony at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention Centre, was graced by dignitaries including Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Dr Parag Agarwal, Deputy Director General (Telecom Technology Development Fund), DoT.
New Delhi, October 13: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) co-hosted the ‘Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025’ at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, marking a milestone in the nation’s drive to empower youth through technology, innovation, and global collaboration in emerging fields like AI and robotics.
The event was inaugurated by Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission (DCC), and Dr Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy to the Director and Chief of the Telecommunication Standardisation Policy Department (TSB), ITU. The national competition — organised under ITU’s AI for Good Impact Initiative in partnership with I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), IIT Delhi — invited students aged 10 to 18 to develop robotics and AI-based solutions to address challenges in agriculture and food security.
In his inaugural address, Chakrabarti underscored India’s potential to lead global innovation in AI and robotics, stating, “India must be the lead innovator in AI and robotics. The innovation paradox should be solved by building capabilities and fostering innovation among the young generation since they are more adaptive to change. The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge, announced jointly by the Food and Agriculture Organization and ITU, serves a noble cause — to eradicate hunger from the world.”
The competition witnessed the participation of 271 students from 55 teams across eight states, demonstrating creativity, teamwork, and technological excellence. The challenge was divided into Junior and Senior Categories, with the winners earning the opportunity to represent India at the Global Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland, during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 (July 7–10).
In the Junior Category, Team Heyansh from Playto Labs, Bengaluru, emerged as the Champion, while Team Robo Knights Junior from DPS RK Puram, New Delhi, and Team Naitik from Playto Labs, Bengaluru, secured the first and second runner-up positions, respectively. Team Heyansh also won the Most Innovative and Original Robot Award.
In the Senior Category, The Ambitious Avengers from Sant Atulanand Convent School, Varanasi, were declared champions for the second consecutive year, earning the distinction of representing India again at the global finale. Team Aarav from Playto Labs, Bengaluru, and Team Code from Lotus Valley International School, Noida, were named first and second runners-up, respectively, with Team Aarav receiving the award for Most Innovative and Creative Robot.
The award ceremony at Yashobhoomi, India International Convention Centre, was graced by dignitaries including Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Dr Parag Agarwal, Deputy Director General (Telecom Technology Development Fund), DoT; Dr Ashutosh Sharma, CEO, IHFC, IIT Delhi; Prof. Sunil Jha, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Delhi; and Guillem Martínez Roura, AI & Robotics Programme Officer, ITU. The officials congratulated the winners and applauded all participants for their ingenuity and spirit of innovation.
A special awareness session on “Digital Safety for Youth” was conducted by Diksha Dhiman, ADET (AI & DIU), DoT, focusing on responsible online engagement and the ethical use of technology. The session reinforced the government’s dual emphasis on nurturing innovation and promoting digital responsibility among young citizens.
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is ITU’s flagship initiative under its AI for Good programme, aimed at nurturing the next generation of innovators to harness robotics and artificial intelligence in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). By engaging young minds in designing solutions for real-world challenges, the initiative fosters global collaboration for a more inclusive and sustainable future.
The 2025 edition at IMC featured sessions on ‘AI and Robotics for Youth Society’, ‘Digital Safety for Youth’, and ‘AI for Good: Unleashing Robotics to Solve Global Challenges’, drawing thought leaders and educators from across the globe.
As the curtain fell on the national challenge, India celebrated the creativity and commitment of its young innovators, with Team Heyansh and The Ambitious Avengers set to carry the nation’s aspirations to the world stage in Geneva next year.
The India Mobile Congress (IMC), Asia’s largest technology and innovation forum, is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The event brings together global leaders from the ICT and digital ecosystem to explore the next frontiers of connectivity, AI, and digital transformation shaping the future of a connected world.
