Viksit Bharat Buildathon: Students Win National Recognition for Bomb-Diffusing Robot, Smart Glasses

Students from across India have earned national recognition at the Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 for developing innovative solutions to real-world problems, including a bomb-diffusing robot, affordable smart glasses and technologies aimed at improving environmental sustainability. The national competition recognised 10 winning teams for their ideas and prototypes, highlighting the growing role of school students in science, technology and innovation. The initiative received 287,967 project submissions across its idea and prototype categories, according to reports.

One of the standout projects was Vadiffuse, a spider-shaped robot developed by students at PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Tinsukia, Assam. The robot is designed to assist in bomb-disposal operations by enabling hazardous situations to be examined with reduced direct human exposure. The project highlights how robotics can potentially support personnel working in high-risk environments, although practical use would require extensive safety testing and expert evaluation.

Another recognised innovation was EchoLens, an affordable pair of bone-conduction smart glasses developed by students at Step by Step School in Rohillapur, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Uttar Pradesh. The technology uses vibrations to transmit sound through the bones near the ear, offering an alternative to conventional audio delivery methods. The project reflects the potential of affordable wearable technology to improve accessibility. Other winning teams presented solutions addressing renewable energy, pollution, environmental challenges and local industries. Students from PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya No. 1 in Surat, Gujarat, were recognised for the Urban Breathing Pole, an initiative focused on urban air quality. A team from Modern Public School in Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, received recognition for a renewable-energy project.

In Srinagar, students from Green Valley Educational Institute won for their Guardian Bridge project, while students from De Nobili School in Dhanbad, Jharkhand, presented an initiative examining methane gas in the coal-mining region. Other recognised projects included EcoSync from PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya in Adoor, Kerala, and WINDMINER, an omnidirectional windmill developed by students at Carmel Convent Senior Secondary School in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.

Students from DAV Public School, Unit-VIII, Odisha, were recognised for a machine designed to count and assess the quality of tasar cocoons. Meanwhile, students from Pathippaga Chemmal K Ganapathy Government Higher Secondary School in Chennai developed a project titled Instant Thermo Flask. The Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 was organised by the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Union Ministry of Education, in collaboration with NITI Aayog's Atal Innovation Mission and the All India Council for Technical Education. Launched in September 2025, the initiative encouraged students to identify everyday problems and develop practical solutions.

The competition was organised around four themes: Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local and Samriddh Bharat. Entries were evaluated through district, state and national-level stages. The results included 10 national winners, 100 state-level awardees and 1,000 district-level awardees. The 10 national winning teams shared prize money of ₹17.5 lakh. Five teams in the prototype category received ₹2.5 lakh each, while five teams in the idea category received ₹1 lakh each to support the further development of their concepts.

The Buildathon also received a Guinness World Records title for the largest innovation solution competition, reflecting the scale of participation in the initiative. The winning projects underline the importance of encouraging young people to apply classroom learning to practical challenges. Experts note that moving such concepts towards real-world use often requires additional testing, mentorship, funding and technical development.

With continued institutional and industry support, student-led projects could provide a foundation for future innovations in public safety, accessibility, renewable energy and environmental protection. The competition has offered young innovators an opportunity to demonstrate their ideas while contributing to India's broader efforts to strengthen its science and technology ecosystem.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.