IIT Guwahati Hosts Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026 Design for Bharat Exhibition
Guwahati, Assam – The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati recently hosted the Design for Bharat exhibition, a significant event aimed at selecting top young innovators to represent Assam at the upcoming Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026. This exhibition took place as part of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MoYAS) initiative, which is scheduled for January 2026.
Overview of the Design for Bharat Initiative
The Design for Bharat initiative is a national design challenge designed to inspire young innovators to contribute to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. The goal is to address various social, cultural, and economic concerns through creative solutions. This initiative aims to nurture critical thinking, teamwork, and innovation among the youth, while also providing mentorship from industry experts and an opportunity to showcase their projects on a national platform.
Theme and Categories
This year’s theme, “Duality (Dwividhta),” encourages participants to explore the in-between spaces where transformative ideas often emerge. The competition is divided into seven thematic categories:
- Health, Wellness, and Mental Health
- Education and Learning
- Connectivity and Transport
- Agriculture
- Sports and Hobbies
- Safety and Protection
- Sustainability
Exhibition Details
Professor Pratul Chandra Kalita, Head of the Department of Design at IIT Guwahati, stated that the institute received 15 submissions from young designers across the state. After an initial evaluation by a departmental jury, 13 promising entries were shortlisted for participation in the state-level exhibition. The exhibition was successfully conducted on December 22, 2025, with 10 teams competing.
Guest Speakers and Dignitaries
The event was graced by notable dignitaries, including:
- Rahul Dev Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of Gargya Group of Companies (Chief Guest)
- Pranabjit Hazarika, Assistant Vice President of TCPL Packaging
- Neelkamal Das, Administrative Officer of Assam State Space Application Centre (ASSAC)
Professor Pratul Ch. Kalita welcomed the participants and guests, providing insights into the design challenge initiative. Professor Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, emphasized the importance of fostering a culture of innovation for academic and professional excellence, aimed at inclusive development.
Insights and Motivation
The distinguished guests delivered inspiring addresses, sharing valuable perspectives from various fields such as entrepreneurship, industry, governance, and academia. Their collective insights served to motivate participants, broadening their understanding of practical problem-solving and encouraging their contributions to national development.
Design Presentations and Jury Evaluation
During the exhibition, the shortlisted participants showcased their design concepts through detailed posters and product demonstrations. An internal jury from the Department of Design, which included Professor Pratul Chandra Kalita, Professor Amarendra Kumar Das, and Professor Supradip Das, interacted with the student teams and reviewed each entry based on several evaluation parameters.
Winners of the Competition
Following a thorough assessment, the jury announced the top three rank holders:
- First Rank: Priyam Jyoti Das from Golaghat Engineering College with his project ‘Waste to Green Energy and Organic Fertiliser’. He will represent Assam at the VBYLD 2026.
- Second Rank: Team North Lakhimpur University, consisting of Aryan Kashyap, Saurav Biswas, and Dikshita Chakraborty, with their prototype ‘Terrabot – Agricultural Rover’.
- Third Rank: Shared by Partha Protim Patir of IIT Guwahati with his prototype ‘Ad-Well’ and Kashyap Gogoi of Swahid Peoli Phukan College, Sivasagar, with his project ‘Natural Dye Extraction from Locally Available Plants’.
Conclusion
The Design for Bharat exhibition at IIT Guwahati not only showcased the innovative spirit of young designers but also reinforced the importance of collaborative efforts in addressing the challenges faced by society. As these young leaders prepare to represent Assam at the VBYLD 2026, their contributions are expected to play a significant role in shaping a sustainable and developed India by 2047.
Note: This article is based on information available as of December 2025 and aims to provide an overview of the event and its significance.
