Published on October 25 , 2025
Delhi, India
In a heartwarming testament to the power of inclusive education, five talented students from Bengaluru’s government schools are poised to make India proud on the international stage. Hailing from modest backgrounds, these young innovators have qualified for the FIRST Global Challenge 2025 – dubbed the “Olympics of Robotics” – after meticulously designing and building a robot over six months. Scheduled in Panama City from October 29 to November 1, 2025, the event will see teams from nearly 200 countries collaborate on planetary challenges through robotics. This achievement not only spotlights the students’ ingenuity but also underscores the transformative impact of government-backed STEM initiatives like Atal Tinkering Labs on underprivileged youth.
Event Overview and Significance
The FIRST Global Challenge is an annual international robotics competition that emphasizes teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving to address global issues such as climate change and resource scarcity. Unlike traditional contests, it fosters cross-country alliances, where teams from rival nations work together on shared missions.
- Theme for 2025: “Guardians of the Planet” – Participants engineer robots to tackle environmental hurdles, promoting sustainable innovation.
- Scale and Impact: Over 180 countries compete, with the event reaching millions via live broadcasts, inspiring the next generation of engineers.
- India’s Representation: These Bengaluru students mark a milestone as the first all-government-school team from India to qualify, bridging the gap between public education and elite STEM opportunities.
- Broader Context: Amid India’s push for a $1 trillion digital economy by 2025, such programs align with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’s focus on experiential learning, highlighting how accessible tech labs can democratize innovation.
This isn’t just a competition; it’s a launchpad for future leaders, proving that brilliance thrives beyond privilege.
Meet the Team: Profiles of the Young Innovators
The all-boys team comprises dedicated students from Government High School, 18th Cross, Malleswaram, and the adjacent Government PU College. Coming from families of housekeepers, garment workers, and technicians, they balanced schoolwork with after-hours lab sessions, turning limited resources into extraordinary results.
| Student Name | Grade | Role/Interests | Fun Fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ningaraj | Class 11 (I PU) | Lead Coder & Designer | Dreams of becoming a robotics engineer; first exposure to coding via school lab. |
| Parashuram M | Class 11 (I PU) | Electronics Specialist | Overcame initial wiring challenges through self-taught YouTube tutorials. |
| Arjun K Raj | Class 11 (I PU) | Team Strategist | Passionate about AI; coordinates robot testing in real-world simulations. |
| Gourish K (also spelled Gouresh K) | Class 10 | Mechanical Builder | From a garment worker family; built the robot’s chassis from scrap materials. |
| GN Chandan Raj | Class 9 | Junior Tester & Learner | Youngest member; credits group mentorship for boosting his confidence in tech. |
Their story resonates as a beacon for government school STEM success, showing how peer learning and basic tools can spark global potential.
Project Journey: Building the Robot from Scratch
What started as casual tinkering in a modest school lab evolved into a high-stakes prototype, showcasing resilience and resourcefulness.
- Development Timeline: Six months of iterative design, from ideation in January 2025 to final tweaks in October.
- Key Components: The robot integrates sensors for environmental scanning, AI-driven navigation, and modular arms for task execution – all coded in Python and assembled with affordable electronics.
- Training Hubs: Initiated at the school’s Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL), funded by NITI Aayog; advanced to Amazon Future Engineer (AFE) Makerspace for mentorship from industry experts like those from The Innovation Story.
- Challenges Overcome:
- Resource Constraints: Worked without high-end tools, improvising with recycled parts amid power outages.
- Skill Gaps: Self-learned advanced electronics; balanced with exams during Karnataka’s PU board prep.
- Team Dynamics: Coordinated virtually during monsoons, fostering virtual collaboration skills.
- Milestone Achievement: Qualified via national qualifiers in September 2025, edging out private-school teams with innovative, low-cost solutions.
This hands-on process mirrors Atal Tinkering Labs India ethos, where over 10,000 labs nationwide have empowered 2 million+ students since 2016.
Support System: Mentors, Institutions, and Community Backing
No journey succeeds in isolation – these students thrived thanks to a robust ecosystem blending government, corporate, and philanthropic efforts.
- School and Government Role: Led by principals and teachers at Malleswaram institutions; Karnataka’s Department of School Education provided logistics and waived fees.
- Key Mentors: Guidance from STEM Education Trust (under Gagan Goyal of India Quotient), aiming to make robotics an “equalizer” in education.
- Corporate Boost: Amazon’s AFE program offered lab access and workshops; similar to initiatives by Google and Microsoft in Indian public schools.
- Minister’s Endorsement: Karnataka Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa praised their “confidence and dedication,” stating: “Their success is a shining example of how quality education, when coupled with opportunities, can empower government school students to compete on the world stage.” He met the team personally, boosting morale.
- Fundraising Drive: A Ketto campaign targets Rs 15-20 lakhs for travel, visas, and gear – already raising funds from alumni networks and local donors.
Such collaborations exemplify STEM education initiatives India 2025, scaling impact from local labs to global podiums.
Future Implications: Inspiring a Nation of Innovators
This team’s voyage to Panama could redefine perceptions of public education in India, where only 20% of students access quality STEM resources.
- For Students: Potential scholarships and internships; alumni of similar events often land at IITs or startups like Flipkart Robotics.
- Policy Ripple: Advocates for expanding ATLs to 15,000+ by 2026; aligns with India’s AI Mission for 1 million AI-skilled youth.
- Societal Wins: Breaks stereotypes, encouraging girls and rural kids; past FIRST winners have influenced policies on sustainable tech.
- Expert Views: Gagan Goyal noted, “Robotics is the next great equalizer,” echoing global trends where diverse teams drive 30% faster innovation.
As India aims for 10% global R&D share by 2030, stories like this fuel the fire.
