SIAM Launches National Road Accident Reduction Challenge 2026 to Engage College Students in Road Safety Innovation
Introduced under SIAM’s flagship Surakshit Safar (Safe Journey) initiative, the challenge invites undergraduate students from recognised institutions across the country to develop practical, field-ready solutions that can be implemented on the ground.
New Delhi, December 24: The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers has launched the National Road Accident Reduction Challenge 2026, a nationwide competition aimed at harnessing the creativity and problem-solving capabilities of college students to reduce road accidents and fatalities in India.
Introduced under SIAM’s flagship Surakshit Safar (Safe Journey) initiative, the challenge invites undergraduate students from recognised institutions across the country to develop practical, field-ready solutions that can be implemented on the ground. The initiative positions students as key change-makers in addressing one of India’s most pressing public safety challenges.
Highlighting the urgency of the issue, Prashant K Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said that nearly 485 people lose their lives every day in road accidents across the country. He said the challenge is designed to channel the creativity, leadership, and sense of responsibility of young minds into actionable interventions that promote safer mobility.
The competition encourages submissions across multiple themes, including user-centric interventions, technology-driven safety solutions, infrastructure improvement, and evaluation and enforcement mechanisms. Student teams are expected to support their proposals with fieldwork, data validation, prototypes, pilot studies, or stakeholder interviews, ensuring that ideas move beyond theory to real-world applicability.
Teams of two to four undergraduate students can participate, with faculty or institutional endorsement. Participants are required to submit a detailed concept deck of 15 to 20 slides, with the option of including a short video or demonstration. Nominations close on January 15, 2026, while final project submissions are due by March 1, 2026.
Suzuki Motorcycle India has partnered with SIAM on the initiative as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. Devashish Handa, executive officer, Suzuki Motorcycle India, said student-led innovation can play a meaningful role in strengthening road safety ethics and supporting practical, on-ground solutions to bring down road fatalities.
Shortlisted teams will present their proposals before a national jury comprising representatives from SIAM, automobile manufacturers, transport authorities, non-governmental organisations, and the media. The winning team will receive a cash prize of ₹2.50 lakh and will be felicitated at SIAM’s SAFE Annual Convention 2026.
SIAM said the initiative aligns with its broader vision of building the nation responsibly by working with governments, industry stakeholders, and civil society to promote safer and greener mobility. Through programmes such as the National Road Accident Reduction Challenge, the body aims to create long-term behavioural change and foster a culture of accountability and innovation among India’s youth.
