Robofest – Gujarat 5.0: 137 teams advance to final round

FOLLOWING a rigorous evaluation process, the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) for the evaluation of ROBOFEST– Gujarat 5.0, on Monday recommended 137 teams for advancement to the third and final level, which is the grand finale.

Of these, 104 teams are from Gujarat, while 33 teams represent institutions from outside the state, including MNIT Jaipur, IIT Kanpur, BITS Pilani, NIT Rourkela, MANIT Bhopal, VIT Chennai, Chandigarh University and Lovely Professional University.

The grand finale will be held in the third week of March at Gujarat Science City, Ahmedabad.

The Gujarat Council on Science and Technology (GUJCOST), under Gujarat Department of Science and Technology (DST) organised the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meeting for the evaluation of ROBOFEST–Gujarat 5.0, Level-II (Proof of Concept) round during December 28–30, 2025 at International Automobile Centre of Excellence (iACE), Gandhinagar.

Arjun Modhwadia, Minister of Science and Technology, said, “ROBOFEST — Gujarat 5.0 demonstrates the strength of Gujarat’s innovation ecosystem, where education, research, intellectual property and entrepreneurship converge. The scale, quality and national participation reflect our commitment to creating a robust pipeline of future scientists, technologists and innovators.”

During the Level-II Proof of Concept round, a total of 229 teams, comprising nearly 1,200 students and mentors, showcased their working robotic models across nine competitive categories. The event witnessed captivating live demonstrations as robots raced on tracks, maneuvered through air, solved maze challenges, navigated complex terrains and operated underwater. These demonstrations were conducted across multiple locations at the iACE campus as well as at Sachivalaya Gymkhana in Gandhinagar, reflecting the diversity, complexity, and real-world relevance of the robotic solutions.

The three-day presentation and demonstration of working models—part of one of the biggest robotics competition — were evaluated by the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) comprising experts from prestigious institutions across the country. The teams were assessed on well-defined parameters, including technical robustness, functionality, complexity, originality, innovation quotient, and quality of demonstration.

Also, during ROBOFEST–Gujarat 5.0 more than 229 patents of participating teams have been filed by the Patent Information Cell (PIC) of GUJCOST – an achievement in a student robotics competition.

ROBOFEST — Gujarat 5.0 is a flagship initiative aligned with the Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Policy of Gujarat, which envisions building a knowledge-driven, innovation-led and technology-enabled economy. The competition strengthens the state’s STI ecosystem by nurturing early-stage innovation, promoting hands-on experiential learning, and creating pathways from ideas to prototypes, patents, startups and entrepreneurship.

P Bharathi, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology said, “ROBOFEST–Gujarat is a shining example of how Gujarat’s STI Policy is being translated into action on the ground. By empowering students to innovate, build, patent, and compete nationally, we are nurturing a generation that will drive India’s technological leadership and self-reliance.”

By integrating robotics, automation, AI, mobility and advanced engineering with institutional support systems such as IP facilitation, mentoring, incubation, and industry linkages, ROBOFEST acts as a catalyst for developing a future-ready workforce. The program also complements Gujarat’s broader innovation infrastructure, including Science Cities, Regional Science Centres, Centres of Excellence, start-up missions, and academic–industry collaborations, thereby reinforcing Gujarat’s position as a national hub for STEM excellence.

With a total prize pool of Rs 5 crore, ROBOFEST–Gujarat 5.0 continues to motivate young innovators to pursue technological excellence, research-driven entrepreneurship, and societal impact.