IIT Bombay hosts e-Yantra 2026 finale; students showcase robotics, AI solutions for real-world challenges

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay recently hosted the grand finale of the e-Yantra Robotics Competition (eYRC) and Innovation Challenge (eYIC) on March 27 and 28, 2026, bringing together engineering students from across the country. The event turned into a vibrant showcase of ideas, with participants presenting innovative solutions in robotics and emerging technologies.

Backed by the Ministry of Education, the e-Yantra initiative focuses on hands-on, project-based learning in line with the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). It aims to help students move beyond textbooks and apply their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

This year, 223 students from 51 colleges, selected out of more than 1,000 institutions, made it to the finale. Participants came from 16 states, highlighting the wide reach and growing popularity of the programme.

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IIT Bombay e-Yantra finale draws students from across India

The competition saw 41 teams take part in the theme run, while 19 teams presented their work in the project exhibition. In the innovation challenge, 59 finalists competed alongside their mentors, while the robotics segment included over 150 participants.

What stood out was the mix of students from diploma holders to undergraduates taking part in the same platform. This reflects how initiatives like e-Yantra are opening up opportunities for a wider range of learners to engage with advanced technologies.

IIT Bombay e-Yantra projects focus on real-world problems

Many of the projects on display were rooted in practical, real-life challenges, especially in agriculture. For instance, one team developed a portable multi-crop dehusker, while another showcased a smart onion storage system using IoT to minimise post-harvest losses.

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Some teams also explored the use of artificial intelligence and real-time monitoring to improve storage and reduce spoilage. These ideas show how student innovation can contribute to solving problems that directly impact farmers and rural communities.

IIT Bombay experts emphasise innovation and learning by doing

Kavi Arya, founder of e-Yantra, emphasised that the programme aims to shift students from being just "knowledge consumers" to “knowledge creators.” He noted that the initiative not only improves employability but also encourages innovation and an entrepreneurial mindset among learners.

Shivaram Kalyanakrishnan highlighted the future potential of e-Yantra, stating that it could evolve into a platform that integrates intelligent systems and autonomous decision-making into engineering education. He added that such efforts will further strengthen students’ skills while promoting a strong culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

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IIT Bombay strengthens innovation culture through e-Yantra

The two-day event also included panel discussions on careers in research and the role of technology in agriculture, giving students a chance to learn from experts in academia and industry.

Over the years, e-Yantra has grown into a large-scale initiative, reaching more than 2 lakh students and over 3,200 institutes. With programmes like this, IIT Bombay continues to encourage students to experiment, innovate, and build solutions that matter in the real world.