Mumbai, (Maharashtra) [India], September 09 2025: The India Automation Challenge (IAC) 2025, held during Automation Expo 2025, successfully brought together some of the brightest young minds from engineering colleges across India to solve real-world industrial problems through innovation, collaboration, and cutting-edge automation.
This year, the competition saw over 250 participants, rigorously shortlisted through multiple stages — 60 teams for the first round, 20 for the second, and 10 for the final on-ground round — culminating in an electrifying live finale judged by a distinguished panel of experts from academia, industry, and government.
🏆 Winners That Stole the Spotlight
🥇 1st Prize – Rail Track Switch Maintenance
MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women
Utilizing sensor fusion and computer vision, this low-cost, scalable solution enhances railway safety, preventing derailments and manual errors. The team received a cash prize and recognition for their breakthrough innovation.
🥈 2nd Prize – AutoGrade: Intelligent Exam Sheet Scoring System
St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology
An AI-powered platform using OCR and Meta-LLaMA models, AutoGrade ensures unbiased, real-time exam evaluation at scale. The team was awarded a cash prize for their transformative solution.
🥉 3rd Prize – Intelligent Traffic Light Control System
Chennai Institute of Technology
This dynamic signal management system, powered by YOLOv8 and Raspberry Pi, reduces fuel consumption and prioritizes emergency vehicles, advancing smart city initiatives. The team received a cash prize in recognition of their impactful project.
🌟 Special Spotlight Entry – “Pralay Shamak”
Navrachana Vidyani Vidyalaya
A unique entry developed entirely by school students, this robotic firefighting and rescue unit received special government backing of ₹1.5L. Pralay Shamak exemplifies the spirit of innovation beyond college boundaries.
🧑⚖️ Expert Judges Shaping the Outcome
The national jury included:
Chintan Oza (Anantam Ecosystems)
Darshana Thakkar (MSME & Strategy Expert)
Ramesh Bhorania (Prama Hikvision)
Sivaram Pothukuchi (Automation Evangelist)
Prof. Sudhir Agashe (COEP Pune)
The final on-ground round was judged by:
Dr. V. P. Raman – IECEX Trainer, KLPL
Dr. Thampy Mathew – CEO, Agate Advisory
Dr. Kirti Shah – VP Projects, Waaree Group
Mr. Vanamali Ramaswami – Veteran Automation Leader (35+ years)
🤝 Proud Sponsors
Gold Sponsor: AXIS Solutions Ltd. – Pioneer in energy-efficient automation systems.
Logo Sponsors:
EIP ENVIRO – Champions of industrial safety and connectivity
Phoenix Contact India – Leaders in industrial innovation
Technology Board Development, Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India – Supporting innovation and next-generation technology solutions
🌍 India Automation Challenge 2026: Now Going Global
Building on the success of IAC 2025, IAC 2026 opens its doors to students from all countries, inviting global talent to develop innovative solutions aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This edition aims to:
✅ Bring together students from around the world to tackle real-world industrial and societal challenges
✅ Encourage cross-border collaboration and knowledge exchange
✅ Showcase breakthrough innovations on an international platform
Key Competition Tracks & SDG Alignment:
| Track | Real-World Theme | UN SDG Alignment |
| Water Sustainability | Industrial water conservation | SDG 6 |
| Energy Efficiency & Smart Retrofitting | Green factories | SDG 7 |
| AgriTech Automation | Food security | SDG 2 |
| MSME Automation | Inclusive growth | SDG 8 & 9 |
| Disaster Robotics | Crisis response | SDG 3 & 11 |
| AI for Industrial Optimization | Reduce emissions | SDG 12 & 13 |
🔗 Get Involved – Global Call for Innovation
IAC 2026 invites students from all countries to:
✅ Address urgent planetary challenges
✅ Revolutionize industries with sustainable technology
✅ Collaborate across borders
✅ Gain recognition on an international platform
Visit https://iac.industrialautomationindia.in/india-automation-challenge-2026for participation and sponsorship opportunities.
Follow #IAC2026 on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates.
