Gurugram, February 2026: India marked a major milestone in student robotics and STEM innovation as Vishwakarma University Presents FIRST Tech Challenge India 2025–26 successfully concluded with a grand National Championship held from 6–8 February 2026 at SGT University, Gurugram. The championship brought together top robotics teams from across India along with international participants, showcasing engineering excellence, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving at a national platform.
The National Championship was formally inaugurated in the presence of distinguished national leaders and dignitaries including Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India; Dr. Hemant Verma, Vice Chancellor, SGT University; Shri Pradeep Gupta, Chairman, Cybermedia Group; Smt. Bharati Khanna, Sant Eshwar Foundation; and Shri Ashvin B. Savant, Chairman, InfinityX STEM Foundation and Program Delivery Partner – FIRST Tech Challenge in India. Shri Mohd Ateq Mohiudding Siddqui, Director, InfinityX
The event also received special video messages from Dr. Jitendra Singh, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Science & Technology, and Shri Mahipal Dhanda, Hon’ble Education Minister, Government of Haryana. Several eminent personalities visited the championship, including Shri Kapil Khanna, President, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, Delhi.
About FIRST and FIRST Tech Challenge
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring young people to become science and technology leaders through mentor-based programs that build engineering, innovation, and leadership skills.
FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) is a premier global robotics program for students aged 12–18, where teams design, build, and program industrial-style robots and compete in a structured tournament format that promotes innovation, teamwork, and gracious professionalism.
FIRST Tech Challenge India serves as the official national delivery platform of the FTC program, enabling Indian students to gain hands-on STEM experience and access global competitive opportunities.
Historic Multi-Regional Season
The 2025–26 FTC India season achieved a historic first with multiple Regional Qualifier Tournaments conducted nationwide before the National Championship.
The North India Regional Qualifier was hosted at SGT University, Gurugram (17–18 January 2026), with participation from more than 15 teams and inauguration led by Shri Rishi Sharma, CEO, Atal Community Innovation Centre (ACIC), SGT University, along with other dignitaries.
The West India Regional Qualifier took place at Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, Mumbai (25–26 January 2026), with over 25 teams participating. The event was graced by Shri Abhimanyu Basu, Dean and CEO of Dhirubhai Ambani International School and NMAJS.
The Rest of India Regional Qualifier was conducted at SGT University, Gurugram (5–6 February 2026), with participation from more than 20 teams from across the country, completing a truly national qualification circuit.
These qualifiers culminated in the National Championship at SGT University, Gurugram, featuring more than 50 teams, including international teams from the UAE and Sri Lanka.
Top Honors and Global Qualification
The competition’s highest recognition, the Inspire Award, was won by Team G-Force for outstanding all-round excellence in robot performance, innovation, outreach, and embodiment of FIRST core values.
Sponsors and Partners
The success of FIRST Tech Challenge India 2025–26 was made possible through the strong support of sponsors and partners across academia, industry, and the STEM ecosystem.
Presenting Sponsor:
Vishwakarma University, Pune
Hosting Partners:
Nita Mukesh Ambani Junior School, Mumbai
ACIC, SGT University, Gurugram
Global Presenting Partners:
Qualcomm
RTX
Platinum Sponsor:
Circana India Limited
Corporate Sponsors & Supporters:
Dow
Carrier
PTC
John Deere
Bechtel
Media Partners:
PC Quest
Data Quest
Cybermedia Group
Silver Sponsor:
Y-Robots
Ecosystem Partner:
STEAM Varsity
Strategic Partners:
Aara Naturals
Sukanya Education
New Era Createch Solutions
InfinityX STEM Foundation (Program Delivery Organization – FIRST Tech Challenge India)
Special Thanks:
FRC Team 6024 R-Factor
Sant Eshwar Foundation
Building India’s Robotics Future
The 2025–26 season establishes a new benchmark for structured robotics competition in India through its multi-regional pathway and national championship platform. With rising participation, international representation, and strong industry-academia collaboration, FIRST Tech Challenge India continues to develop future-ready innovators and technology
leaders through experiential STEM education.
About:
FIRST Tech Challenge India
FIRST Tech Challenge India delivers global-standard robotics competition and applied STEM learning programs to students nationwide, fostering innovation, technical excellence, and global competitiveness.