Education minister unveils Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026 for school, ITI, polytechnic students

The Union education minister Pralhad Joshi urged youth to identify problems around them and develop practical solutions to improve people's lives, while speaking at the launch of the Seva First Innovation Challenge (SFIC) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru.

The speciality of the SFIC is that it encourages our youth to look closely at the needs around them and serve the common purpose, he said. The SFIC will cover five states and three Union Territories – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.

Joshi said innovation should stem from understanding "a real human need" and ultimately aim to serve the common person. "It begins by understanding a problem and finding a solution..”

Joshi on NEP 2020, ATLs

Referring to the National Education Policy 2020, Joshi stressed the importance of critical thinking, creativity, experiential learning and problem-solving and said students should be motivated to experiment, build and innovate from an early age.

"The NEP 2020 places critical thinking, creativity, experimental learning and problem-solving at the heart of education. So, that is the idea of the new education policy. It is not being accepted in Karnataka, which is most unfortunate. It has been discontinued," Joshi said.

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Over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs

The union education minister noted that more than 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs (ATL) are actively engaging students across the country, describing it as an example of efforts to encourage innovation among students.

Joshi said that, in contributing to the broader goal of building a 'Viksit Bharat' by 2047, youth should play a central role in addressing problems faced by people in India and beyond.

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Finale of Seva First Innovation Challenge 2026

According to the Ministry of Education, the SFIC invites participants from schools, industrial training institutes (ITIs), polytechnics, colleges and universities, with three levels of participation including junior, technical and open levels.

School students from Classes 6 to 12 can participate at the Junior level. The challenge will focus on five national themes: ' Clean and Sustainable Bharat'; 'Prosperous Farmers, Prosperous Bharat'; 'Healthy and Inclusive Bharat'; 'Educated and Skilled Bharat'; and 'Secure Bharat'.

The registration for the event will be open from September 25 to October 24. It will culminate in the national finale to be held in New Delhi from December 10 to 17. With inputs from PTI