Bhubaneswar, Jan 06: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar successfully hosted the ‘Design for Bharat Youth Innovation Challenge (Odisha Zone) on Tuesday, along with the state-level exhibition at its campus, celebrating creativity, innovation, and youthful ingenuity from across Odisha.
The event was organised as part of the larger national “Design for Bharat 2026” initiative under MY Bharat, aimed at empowering youth through innovation and leadership for a Viksit Bharat 2047.
The event was graced by Shivaji Murlidhar Kharat, State Director, My Bharat, Odisha. The inaugural session was presided over by Prof. (Dr.) Shreepad Karmalkar, Director, IIT Bhubaneswar, in the presence of Prof. (Dr.) Arun Kumar Pradhan, Competition Nodal Officer (CNO), Design for Bharat Youth Innovation Challenge (Odisha Zone). Dr. Divyansh Patel and Dr. Manas Ranjan Pattnayak meticulously oversaw the overall coordination of the event, ensuring its seamless execution and successful completion. Dr. Manas Ranjan Pattnayak served as the inaugural event host, steering the proceedings with poise and enthusiasm.
In Odisha, a total of 84 participants registered for DFB’26. Of these, 16 teams submitted their ideas, designs, and products. 15 entries were evaluated, and based on the jury’s assessment, 7 teams were selected for the State Round. From these, three teams have been recommended for the national-level exhibition from IIT Bhubaneswar.
In this state-level exhibition, fifteen promising teams from across Odisha were invited to showcase their innovative prototypes and design concepts addressing societal and technological challenges aligned with the Design for Bharat vision.
The exhibition witnessed vibrant participation, reflecting the spirit of innovation and youthful dynamism. After a rigorous evaluation by an expert jury, seven teams were recognized as meritorious innovators, among which three were declared as excellent teams for their outstanding creativity, societal impact, and technical novelty. The top-performing team will proudly represent Odisha at the National ‘Design for Bharat’ Showcase to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 12th August 2026, in the august presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Speaking on the occasion, Director Prof. Shreepad Karmalkar expressed his pleasure at IIT Bhubaneswar organising the Design for Bharat – Youth Innovation Challenge and commended the rich diversity of academic backgrounds represented by the participants.
He clarified that “innovation is research multiplied by commercialisation,” emphasising that research without the potential for commercial application cannot be termed innovation. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, he noted that innovation thrives when individuals from different disciplines work together, supported by strong communication skills that enable ideas to be understood beyond one’s own academic domain.
Shivaji Murlidhar Kharat lauded the enthusiasm and commitment of the youth and underlined MY Bharat’s role in providing platforms that connect young innovators with national opportunities and mentorship.
He encouraged the participants to continue refining their ideas beyond the competition and to see themselves as active contributors to India’s development journey towards 2047.
The event concluded with the announcement and felicitation of the meritorious and excellent teams, followed by an interaction between the dignitaries, jury members, and participants. The felicitation ceremony was graciously hosted by Dr. Divyansh Patel, who conducted the proceedings with great enthusiasm and professionalism, ensuring the event was both engaging and memorable for all the attendees. The Design for Bharat Youth Innovation Challenge (Odisha Zone) at IIT Bhubaneswar marked a significant step in positioning Odisha’s youth as key stakeholders in shaping a more inclusive, innovative, and sustainable future for the country.
