LG Ladakh inaugurates Udyamitsav & PRAGYAAN 2026 at IIT Jammu
On February 7, 2026, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Shri Kavinder Gupta, inaugurated Udyamitsav and PRAGYAAN 2026 at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, located at Jagti Campus. This event marks a significant step towards fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the region, reflecting India’s commitment to an innovation-driven future.
Significance of Udyamitsav
During his address, the Lieutenant Governor emphasized that Udyamitsav symbolizes India’s journey from ideas to innovation, and from startups to nation-building. He noted the participation of nearly 1,000 young entrepreneurs from Jammu & Kashmir and neighboring regions, highlighting their role as job creators who develop solutions to local challenges with global relevance.
Overview of PRAGYAAN 2026
Shri Kavinder Gupta described PRAGYAAN 2026 as more than just a science exhibition; it is a movement aimed at nurturing curiosity and scientific thinking among children. He expressed that such platforms inspire young minds to ask questions, experiment, and develop a spirit of discovery, which is essential for cultivating future scientists and innovators.
Vision of Viksit Bharat 2047
Referencing the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, as envisioned by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Lieutenant Governor stated that the youth of India will be the driving force behind transforming the nation into a global innovation powerhouse. He emphasized that government policies are designed to empower youth, promote startups, and strengthen research and innovation ecosystems.
Potential of Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir
Shri Kavinder Gupta highlighted the immense potential of Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and the Himalayan regions, noting that these areas offer vast opportunities in:
- Green technologies
- Agri-startups
- Tourism innovation
- Digital services
He pointed out that geographical challenges are now being viewed as strengths, thanks to focused policy support.
IIT Jammu: A Hub of Innovation
The Lieutenant Governor praised IIT Jammu for emerging as a hub of research, innovation, and startup culture. He commended the faculty for their role in shaping the architects of New India. Additionally, he proposed exploring a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Ladakh Administration and IIT Jammu to promote innovation and entrepreneurship among students and researchers, particularly from border areas.
Encouragement for Youth
In conclusion, Shri Kavinder Gupta urged the youth to innovate fearlessly, learn from failures, and actively contribute to India’s progress. He expressed confidence that Udyamitsav 2026 and PRAGYAAN 2026 would generate new ideas, nurture enterprises, and strengthen India’s position as a global innovation leader.
Director’s Vision
Welcoming the dignitaries and participants, Prof. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director of IIT Jammu, shared the Institute’s vision of building a vibrant ecosystem that promotes innovation, entrepreneurship, and experiential learning. He noted that platforms like Udyamitsav and PRAGYAAN serve as vital bridges between academia and society, providing meaningful exposure to students, especially school students, by connecting classroom learning with hands-on experience, research, and creative exploration.
Activities and Engagements
Dr. Vijay Kumar Pal, Faculty-in-Charge, shared that students from across India participated in a diverse range of activities, including:
- Startup expo
- Fintech competitions
- CXO roundtable discussions
- Finance quizzes
- Mock IPL auction
These engagements aim to cultivate entrepreneurial competencies such as decision-making, teamwork, risk assessment, and leadership, aligning with the vision of ‘Make in India’ by encouraging innovation and job creation.
PRAGYAAN 2026: Curiosity to Creation
Presenting the vision of PRAGYAAN 2026 – Curiosity to Creation, Dr. Yogesh M. Nimdeo, Faculty-in-Charge, highlighted that PRAGYAAN serves as IIT Jammu’s flagship Open Day and a large-scale STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) outreach initiative. It is designed as an experiential bridge between school education and higher learning, transforming curiosity into hands-on creation and classrooms into gateways of innovation.
Participation and Engagement
This year, PRAGYAAN 2026 is hosting over 6,000 students and educators from schools across Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh, making it one of IIT Jammu’s largest academic outreach initiatives. The campus has been transformed into a living laboratory featuring:
- Over 130 exhibition stalls
- More than 45 indoor and outdoor scientific and creative activities
- Innovation exhibits
- Live demonstrations
- Maker spaces and Tinkerers’ Lab walkthroughs
- Direct interactions with IIT Jammu students and faculty
Engagement with Educators
Special emphasis has been placed on educator and leadership engagement through initiatives such as:
- Rubrics: A structured programme for teachers focusing on pedagogy, assessment, and technology-enabled learning
- Principals’ Conclave: A forum to deliberate on sustainable STEAM ecosystems and long-term school–IIT collaboration
Creative Expression and Innovation Challenges
Creative expression forms an integral part of PRAGYAAN through platforms such as Rangmanch, alongside initiatives like the Junior Open STEAM Hackathon and STEAM Innovation Challenge 2026, which encourage inquiry-driven, socially relevant problem-solving.
Inaugural Session Highlights
Following the inaugural session, the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor visited the robotics and innovation stalls, where students showcased projects including:
- Drone demonstrationsDisclaimer: A Teams provides news and information for general awareness purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, we do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of any content. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of A Teams. We are not liable for any actions taken based on the information published. Content may be updated or changed without prior notice.
