Innovation challenges launched in India for social and mobility technology

Delhi Higher Education Minister Ashish Sood has launched the ‘Seva-First Innovation Challenge 2026’ at Delhi Technological University (DTU). The initiative features a Rs 2 crore prize pool and aims to encourage students to develop technology-driven solutions for real-world societal challenges. The 100-day challenge targets participants from universities, startups, and technical institutes across northern India, including Haryana, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. The Delhi Government intends to provide mentorship and funding to foster a robust startup ecosystem, aiming to create 10,000 startups and 4 lakh jobs.

In a separate initiative, Hyundai Motor Group has introduced a Mobility Innovation Ideathon across seven leading Indian universities. Organized through the Hyundai Centre of Excellence, the competition invites students to develop concepts for enhanced in-vehicle experiences, focusing on artificial intelligence, software-defined vehicles, and digital interfaces. The program includes a Research Synergy Forum to connect university faculty with company researchers to discuss electrification and future mobility technologies.