IIT-BHU Duo Wins Top Prize for Portable Microscope at RISE 2026
In a remarkable achievement, Arkya Jyoti Ghosh and Supratim Mahapatra, final-year biochemical engineering students from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi, have won the top prize at the inaugural Inter-IIT Undergraduate Innovation Meet, RISE 2026. The event, which took place at IIT Hyderabad, showcased innovative student projects aimed at addressing significant challenges in healthcare, rehabilitation, and sustainability.
Overview of RISE 2026
RISE 2026, organized as part of IIT Hyderabad’s Innovation Day, attracted a diverse range of student innovators from across the IITs in India. With over 100 applications submitted, 21 teams were shortlisted to present their innovative solutions on campus. The event featured a prize pool of ₹15 lakh, aimed at encouraging creativity and practical problem-solving among students.
Winning Project: Portable Imaging Device
The standout project, which earned Ghosh and Mahapatra the top prize of ₹5 lakh, is a handheld micro-imaging device designed to make advanced microscopy more accessible. Traditional microscopes are often expensive, bulky, and limited to laboratory environments. Recognizing these limitations, the duo aimed to create a compact and cost-effective solution that could deliver precise imaging capabilities in both classroom and field settings.
Features of the Device
According to Ghosh, the device incorporates several innovative features:
- Compact Design: The portable nature of the device allows for easy transport and use in various environments.
- Joystick-Based Focusing: This feature enables users to adjust the focus of the microscope intuitively, without the need for complex equipment.
- Adjustable Lighting: Users can control the lighting conditions, enhancing the quality of imaging.
Runner-Up Projects
The competition also recognized several other innovative projects:
First Runner-Up: Automated SYNTAX Score Computation Tool
The first runner-up award of ₹3 lakh was awarded to Shreyas Balakarthikeyan from IIT Madras. His project focuses on automating the computation of the SYNTAX score from angiogram images, providing cardiologists with a tool that supports faster and more consistent decision-making in clinical settings.
Second Runner-Up Projects
Two teams shared the second runner-up prize of ₹2 lakh each:
- FlexoGear: Developed by Akshadeep Suryawanshi and Garv Jain from IIT Mandi, this lightweight wrist exosuit is designed for physiotherapy, aiming to reduce mechanical complexity and power consumption.
- Eco-Friendly Copper Recovery Process: Sri Lekha O V from IIT Hyderabad presented a sustainable method for recovering copper from discarded printed circuit boards, avoiding the use of toxic chemicals and minimizing energy consumption.
Other Notable Innovations
Several other noteworthy projects were also highlighted during RISE 2026:
- OPTMIST: A mist-based eye-drop delivery system from IIT Guwahati that improves drug absorption.
- VAYU: A bio-inspired drone from IIT Hyderabad featuring morphing wings and an independently controlled tail for enhanced maneuverability and efficiency.
- Compact Imaging System: Developed by IIT Madras, this low-cost imaging system is tailored for educational and small research settings.
Conclusion
The success of Ghosh and Mahapatra, along with the other participants at RISE 2026, underscores the innovative spirit and problem-solving capabilities of students at IITs across India. Their projects not only demonstrate technical proficiency but also a commitment to addressing real-world challenges in healthcare and sustainability.
Note: The information presented in this article is based on the latest available data as of January 2026.
