DoT and ITU host Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 at India Mobile Congress

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 concluded in the national Capital marking an inspiring end to a day that celebrated innovation, creativity and youth-led technological advancement. Organised under the AI for Good Impact Initiative of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in collaboration with the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), IIT Delhi and supported by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, the national challenge showcased the talent of young innovators developing robotics-based solutions to address food security and sustainable development.

The competition featured two categories — Junior and Senior — with awards presented for first, second and third positions, along with special recognition for Most Innovative Robot in each category. The hall resonated with applause as the winners were felicitated by dignitaries and judges, recognizing their talent, teamwork and spirit of innovation.

The award ceremony was graced Deb Kumar Chakrabarti, Member (Services), Digital Communications Commission, Department of Telecommunications; Dr  Parag Agarwal, Deputy Director General (Telecom Technology Development Fund), Department of Telecommunications; Dr  Ashutosh Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC), IIT Delhi; Prof. Sunil Jha, Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Delhi; and  Guillem Martínez Roura, AI and Robotics Programme Officer, International Telecommunication Union (ITU), along with other senior officials from the Department of Telecommunications, ITU and IHFC–IIT Delhi.

All dignitaries congratulated the winners and extended their best wishes to all participating teams for their continued journey in innovation and learning. A special presentation titled “Digital Safety for Youth” was delivered by Diksha Dhiman, ADET (AI and DIU), DoT, aimed at creating awareness among school students on the importance of online safety, responsible digital engagement and ethical use of technology. The session was well-received by participants from eight different States, highlighting the Government’s focus on nurturing responsible digital citizens alongside innovators.

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025 successfully brought together 271 participants from 55 teams across India, blending creativity, teamwork and technological excellence. With their remarkable performance, Team Heyansh (Junior) and Team Ambitious Avengers (Senior) will now carry India’s flag to the Global Grand Finale in Geneva, Switzerland (July 7–10, 2026), representing the nation among 25 participating countries under the AI for Good Impact Initiative.

The event concluded with dignitaries commending the collaborative spirit between ITU, DoT and IHFC–IIT Delhi in advancing digital innovation for social good. They encouraged participants to continue pursuing innovation with ethical responsibility, reaffirming India’s commitment to developing technology that serves humanity.

Chakrabarti and Dr  Bilel Jamoussi, Deputy to the Director and Chief of Telecommunication Standardisation Policy Department (TSB) inaugurated the prestigious International Telecommunication Union’s (ITU) “Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2025”- the leading UN-based global robotics competition, at the 9thedition of IMC 2025 held in New Delhi today.

The event was co-hosted by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, Government of India and International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in partnership with IHFC and Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi. The challenge invited students aged 10 to 18 to develop AI and robotics-based solutions to tackle global challenges focussing on the critical area of agriculture and food security.

The competition was open for individual as well as team participation to design, build and program a robot to address the proposed food security challenge on the competition game board. The Indian teams showcased immense talent and ingenuity in their skills, focusing on the critical area of agriculture and food security. This National Event is a qualifying tournament leading to the Grand Finale in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit 2026.

The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is a flagship initiative of ITU’s AI for Good programme, aimed at nurturing the next generation of innovators to harness robotics and AI for advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The ‘Robotics For Good Youth Challenge India’ brought together leading voices from across the globe to deliberate on AI’s role in achieving equitable and sustainable digital growth.

The India Mobile Congress (IMC), Asia’s largest technology forum, is jointly organised by the Department of Telecommunications and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI). The event brings together global ICT and digital ecosystem leaders to explore the innovations that are shaping the future of connectivity, digital transformation and the evolving role of AI.