IIT Kharagpur Launches Young Innovators’ Programme 2025-26 for Classes 8 to 12
IIT Kharagpur has officially opened applications for the Young Innovators’ Programme (YIP) for the academic year 2025-26. This initiative aims to nurture creativity, scientific thinking, and problem-solving skills among students from Classes 8 to 12, both in India and internationally.
Programme Overview
The Young Innovators’ Programme is an annual competition designed to foster scientific curiosity and innovation among school students. The programme has garnered significant interest globally, with over 3,500 entries submitted in the previous edition, including participants from countries such as the UAE, Singapore, Denmark, Malaysia, and Saudi Arabia.
Eligibility and Team Structure
The programme is open to students in Classes 8 to 12. Each participating team must consist of two or three students and must have a mentor from their school. Additionally, a coordinating teacher is required for each team, and schools can submit multiple teams if desired.
- Junior Division: Classes 8, 9, and 10
- Senior Division: Classes 10, 11, and 12
Students in Class 10 have the option to register in either division.
Programme Structure and Timeline
The competition is structured into three rounds:
Round 1: Online Submission
Teams must submit an abstract detailing their scientific idea based on a theme of their choice. Submissions should be uploaded by the coordinating teacher on the official YIP portal at yip.iitkgp.ac.in. The deadline for online submissions is November 30, 2025. Results will be announced on the website and communicated to selected teams via email.
Round 2: Semifinals
The semifinals will take place on January 3, 2026, on the IIT Kharagpur campus. During this two-day event, shortlisted teams will showcase their prototypes, models, or charts. Registration fees for this round will be announced after the first-round results.
Round 3: Finals
The finals are scheduled for January 4, 2026. Finalists will present their innovations to a jury through a detailed presentation, followed by a Q&A session. Evaluation criteria will include scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and clarity of communication.
Participation Fees
The participation fee varies based on the location of the students:
- Indian Students: Rs 400 per member
- SAARC Countries (excluding India): $20 (approx Rs 1800) per member
- Non-SAARC Countries: $30 (approx Rs 2700) per member
The competition will proceed to the second round only if a minimum of ten teams qualify from Round 1.
Notable Past Innovations
IIT Kharagpur has highlighted several remarkable innovations from previous years, showcasing the creativity and ingenuity of young minds. Some notable projects include:
- A green water dispenser designed for differently-abled users
- An affordable herbal anti-pollution mask
- An instant pothole repair tool known as the ‘Pothole Warrior’
- An AI-enabled system for early oral cancer detection
The programme continues to encourage meaningful innovation and provides young minds with the opportunity to engage directly with scientific thought and real-world problem-solving on one of India’s premier campuses.
Conclusion
The Young Innovators’ Programme at IIT Kharagpur represents an excellent opportunity for students to develop their scientific skills and creativity. With a structured approach to innovation and problem-solving, this initiative aims to inspire the next generation of thinkers and creators.
Note: For further details and updates, please visit the official YIP portal.
