Jaipur, 7 December 2025 | Manipal University Jaipur:
Reaffirming its position as a national hub of innovation, Manipal University Jaipur (MUJ) is hosting the Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Hardware Edition. The event will run from 8 to 12 December, bringing together top student innovators from across India to develop practical solutions for real-world social and industrial challenges.
Smart India Hackathon—one of the world’s largest open innovation models—was conceptualized by Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote innovation, design thinking, and a problem-solving mindset among youth.
MUJ Emerges as a National Innovation Hub — Hardware Nodal Centre for the Second Consecutive Year
This year, SIH 2025 has designated 60 nodal centres across India:
- 42 for the Software Edition
- 18 for the Hardware Edition
MUJ has earlier served twice as a software nodal centre and is now hosting the Hardware Grand Finale for the second year in a row, reflecting its strong innovation and research ecosystem.
20 Teams, 120 Innovators, 26 Faculty Mentors Participate
A total of 20 shortlisted teams comprising 120 student innovators are competing at MUJ. Participants have arrived from the states of Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Nagaland, Rajasthan, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Puducherry.
The participants include:
- 79 male innovators
- 41 female innovators
- 26 faculty mentors
Working Hardware Prototypes on Four Real-World Problem Statements
Teams at MUJ are building hardware prototypes based on four major real-life problem statements provided by:
- Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER)
- AICTE
- Government of Sikkim
Over the next five days, teams will develop working hardware solutions with guidance from industry specialists, technical experts, and evaluators.
Provost Prof. (Dr.) Neetu Bhatnagar Says
“MUJ is empowering young innovators to solve real-world challenges”
During the press conference, Prof. (Dr.) Neetu Bhatnagar said:
“Smart India Hackathon enables students to apply scientific thinking and innovation to solve real challenges. MUJ is proud to provide a platform where young talent can build impactful technological solutions for society. Hosting SIH 2025 reflects our commitment to strengthening India’s innovation ecosystem. We are grateful to the Ministry of Education, Innovation Cell, and AICTE.”
SIH Media Advisor Dr. Puneet Sharma Highlights
“Since 2017, SIH has been India’s national platform for innovation-driven youth”
Dr. Puneet Sharma traced the journey of SIH, saying:
“The hackathon has continuously provided young innovators a golden opportunity to transform ideas into real-world solutions.”
A Big Leap Toward Innovation-Driven Aatmanirbhar Bharat
The SIH 2025 Hardware Edition Grand Finale at MUJ marks a significant step in strengthening the technical expertise, innovation mindset, and Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision of India’s youth.