Universities Gear Up for YUVAi 2025-26: India’s Call to Harness AI Innovation Among Global Youth

Published on October 31 , 2025

Contents

Delhi, India

Initiative Launch and Objectives

Event Overview: The YUVAi Global Youth Artificial Intelligence Challenge 2025-26 is a flagship program designed to spark AI-driven innovation among young talents, focusing on real-world applications for social good and sustainability.
Organizing Bodies: Spearheaded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the University Grants Commission (UGC), this challenge aims to build a skilled, ethical AI workforce ready to address global challenges.
Core Goals: Equip participants aged 13-21 with technical expertise, foster ethical AI practices, and align innovations with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) like clean energy, inclusive education, and climate action.
Global Ambition: By inviting higher education institutions worldwide, especially in India, the challenge promotes cross-border collaboration, culminating in a high-profile showcase at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026.

Target Audience: Open to individual innovators or teams of students aged 13-21, with no restrictions on nationality – a true global platform for emerging AI enthusiasts.
University Role: Indian universities and colleges are urged to actively promote the challenge, nominate student participants, and integrate it into campus innovation ecosystems for widespread engagement.
Entry Requirements: Participants must submit AI project proposals addressing specified themes; no prior coding experience needed, but ideas should demonstrate feasibility, impact, and scalability.
Support for Entrants: Selected teams gain access to 10-day virtual bootcamps, expert mentorship sessions, and resources to refine prototypes – turning raw ideas into polished solutions.

Empowering People and Communities: Develop AI tools for elderly care, accessible education, youth mental health support, and promoting social inclusivity to bridge gaps in underserved populations.
Transforming Core Sectors: Innovate in sustainable agriculture, eco-friendly manufacturing, waste-to-wealth recycling, and industrial efficiencies to drive economic growth without environmental harm.
Future-Ready Infrastructure: Create smart city frameworks, renewable energy optimizations, and efficient last-mile delivery systems to build resilient, tech-enabled urban and rural landscapes.
Open Innovation: Encourage boundary-pushing AI applications across sectors, emphasizing scalable solutions with broad social, environmental, and economic ripple effects.

How to Apply: Universities should disseminate official invitation letters to students via campus networks; individuals register online through the dedicated YUVAi portal, uploading project abstracts and team details.
Key Timeline: Submissions close today, October 31, 2025 – act fast to secure a spot; shortlisting announcements follow in November, leading to bootcamps in December.
Selection Criteria: Judged on innovation novelty, SDG alignment, ethical considerations, technical viability, and potential for real-world deployment by a panel of AI experts and policymakers.
Post-Selection Perks: Top 20 teams receive fully sponsored trips to New Delhi for the Summit, including accommodation and networking with global leaders.

Prize Pool Breakdown: A whopping Rs 85 lakh in total rewards – Rs 15 lakh each for the top three winning solutions, Rs 10 lakh for the next three, and Rs 5 lakh for two special jury awards.
Certificates and Exposure: Every participant earns a digital certificate; finalists present at an international demo day, gaining visibility before Heads of State and industry titans.
Scaling Support: Winners access investor pitches, ongoing mentorship, and permanent digital showcasing on the Summit platform – with IP rights fully retained by creators.
Summit Spotlight: The challenge feeds into the India-AI Impact Summit on February 19-20, 2026, at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, under themes of People, Planet, and Progress.

Skill-Building Emphasis: Beyond competition, YUVAi integrates hands-on learning to prepare youth for AI’s ethical and practical demands, aligning with India’s National Education Policy for tech-forward curricula.
Institutional Benefits: Participating universities boost their innovation rankings, attract funding, and foster startup cultures – positioning campuses as hubs for SDG-aligned AI research.
Stakeholder Enthusiasm: Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the challenge as a catalyst for “inspiring the next generation of AI innovators,” while educators praise its role in democratizing access to global opportunities.
Sustainability Tie-In: By channeling youth creativity toward SDGs, the initiative accelerates progress on pressing issues like climate resilience and equitable growth, amplifying India’s voice in worldwide AI discourse.