Dharmendra Pradhan Launches India’s Largest School Innovation Marathon - Viksit Bharat Buildathon

The Ministry of Education (MoE), in partnership with the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) under NITI Aayog, has launched the ambitious Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan unveiled the initiative designed to mobilize young minds from schools across India in a synchronized innovation marathon that aligns with India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047. The Buildathon aims to inspire creativity, problem-solving, and self-reliance among students, strengthening grassroots innovation culture nationwide.

Key Takeaways From The Launch

Viksit Bharat Buildathon will engage over one crore students from approximately 1.5 lakh schools across India.

Targeted at school students from classes 6 through 12, the Buildathon promotes project ideation and prototype development.

The initiative focuses on four major themes: Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India), Swadeshi (Indigenous), Vocal for Local, and Samriddhi (Prosperity).

The event will foster a culture of innovation by encouraging students to develop tangible solutions contributing to national priorities.

The Buildathon builds on successful initiatives like the School Innovation Marathon 2024, which spawned programs such as the Student Innovator Programme (SIP) and Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP).

About The Viksit Bharat Buildathon Initiative

The Buildathon represents the largest school hackathon India has witnessed so far. It is orchestrated by the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE). It aims to celebrate India’s young innovators by providing them a platform on national and global stages.

The program is designed as a synchronized innovation sprint where students ideate, design, and build prototype solutions addressing real-world challenges based on the focal themes. The initiative also seeks to position India as a global innovation capital, creating a rich pipeline of solutions from the grassroots level.

The Buildathon Process And Timeline

Registration opens on September 23, 2025, and will remain available till October 6, 2025, on the dedicated Viksit Bharat Buildathon portal.

A preparation phase spanning October 6 to October 13 will involve educators guiding student teams in idea formulation and registration processes.

The Live Synchronized Innovation Event is scheduled for October 13, 2025, where simultaneous innovation activities will be held across schools.

Final submission of detailed ideas, prototypes, and project documentation will be accepted from October 13 to October 31, 2025.

Expert panels will conduct evaluations between November 1 and December 31, 2025, assessing submissions across creativity, feasibility, and impact.

Results and felicitation of the top 1000+ winners are expected in January 2026, providing recognition and incentives for innovation excellence.

Vision Behind The Buildathon

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the significance of innovation in building a self-reliant and prosperous India aligned with the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted the government’s commitment to fostering innovation from a young age through initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission, which currently supports over 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs nationwide.

The Buildathon aims to catalyze a comprehensive innovation renaissance, inspiring students to contribute solutions promoting local manufacturing, sustainable development, and economic prosperity. It intends to harness the latent creativity present among school students, enabling them to become key drivers of India’s progress story.

Stakeholders and Collaborators

The initiative is backed by key government bodies and collaborators:

Ministry of Education’s Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) organizes and oversees the program execution.

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog provides mentorship, resources, and coordination support.

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) partners to extend technical guidance and integration with educational institutions.

Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS) and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti (NVS) are involved for wider school network reach.

Conclusion

Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 marks a transformational step in India’s innovation ecosystem. It emphasizes nurturing future innovators by integrating creativity and scientific temperament within academia and society. By empowering millions of students to innovate around themes of local pride and self-reliance, the initiative aims to steer India toward a prosperous and developed future. The coming months will showcase the creative potential of India’s youth as they take center stage in this historic innovation marathon.

Sources: Press Information Bureau, Business Standard, News On Air, DD News, Hindustan Times