The Union Ministry of Education has launched Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025, a nationwide innovation contest for school students designed to tap into young minds, foster creativity, and encourage prototype development aligned with India’s vision of a developed and self-reliant nation.
Here’s everything you need to know about the registration process, schedule, themes, eligibility, and how students can participate in this massive innovation initiative.
What is Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?
What is Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025?The Buildathon is essentially a school-level hackathon / innovation sprint where students conceptualize, design, and prototype solutions around national priorities.
It is being organized by the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), NITI Aayog, and AICTE.
The objective: Engage over 1 crore students from around 1.5 lakh schools in India to innovate on themes of Atmanirbhar Bharat, Swadeshi, Vocal for Local, and Samriddh Bharat.
The event includes a Live Synchronized Innovation Event on October 13, followed by submission phases, evaluation, and eventual recognition of winners in January 2026.
Important Dates & Phases
Important Dates & PhasesHere’s the full schedule for Buildathon 2025:
| Phase | Activity | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Window | Students register via portal | 23 September – 6 October 2025 |
| Preparation / Mentoring | Teachers mentor student teams, refine ideas | 6 – 13 October 2025 |
| Live Innovation Event | Real-time ideation / prototyping session (synchronized) | 13 October 2025 |
| Submission of Final Entries | Submit videos, prototypes, documentation | 13 – 31 October 2025 |
| Evaluation Period | Expert panel reviews submissions | 1 November – 31 December 2025 |
| Result & Felicitation | Announcing winners & awards | January 2026 |
Registration Deadline: 6 October 2025 is the last day to register.
Who Can Participate & Eligibility
Who Can Participate & EligibilityStudents enrolled in classes 6 to 12 across schools in India are eligible to participate.
Participation is team-based — typically 5 to 7 students per team.
Each team must submit an initial idea / concept during registration on the portal.
Schools act as facilitators: teachers will mentor, co-ordinate registrations, and guide teams.
Themes & Innovation Focus Areas
Themes & Innovation Focus AreasThe Buildathon has been structured around four key themes to align student innovations with national priorities:
Atmanirbhar Bharat – Innovations for self-reliance, reducing dependence on imports.
Swadeshi – Emphasis on indigenous knowledge systems, materials, and solutions.
Vocal for Local – Prioritizing local resources, entrepreneurship, and community-centered innovation.
Samriddh Bharat – Solutions for inclusive prosperity, sustainability, and growth for all regions.
Students can choose any one of these themes as the basis of their project ideas.
How to Register & Participate
How to Register & ParticipateStep-by-Step Registration
Visit the official portal: vbb.mic.gov.in
Create school and student profiles, upload necessary details.
Submit your initial idea or project concept as part of the registration.
After registration, schools enter a preparation phase where teachers mentor and guide students through ideation and prototype building. 6–13 October period.
On 13 October, teams participate in the Live Synchronized Innovation Event — a real-time collaborative session across schools.
Final submissions (videos, models, documentation) happen between 13–31 October.
Expert panels evaluate entries in November–December, and winners are celebrated in January 2026.
Awards & Recognition
Awards & RecognitionTop 1,000+ winners will be felicitated in January 2026.
All participating teams will receive participation certificates.
Recognition will be at district, state, and national levels.
The Buildathon builds upon the success of the School Innovation Marathon 2024 and connects with mechanisms like the Student Innovator Programme (SIP) and Student Entrepreneurship Programme (SEP).
Why Participate in Viksit Bharat Buildathon?
Why Participate in Viksit Bharat Buildathon?Early exposure to innovation: Students get to ideate, prototype, and present real-world solutions.
Mentorship and resources: Guided by teachers, incubation hubs, and experts. National recognition: Being a winner brings prestige, visibility, and motivation.
Alignment with national vision: Projects contribute to India’s roadmap toward Viksit Bharat 2047.
Skill development: Teams learn design thinking, prototyping, research, presentation, and team collaboration.
Important Reminders for Students & Schools
Important Reminders for Students & SchoolsRegister before the deadline: 6 October 2025. Late registrations will likely not be accepted.
Choose your theme early and brainstorm possible local problems to solve.
Leverage guidance from teachers and mentors, especially during the preparation period.
Focus not just on prototypes but also documenting your process, use-cases, and impact.
Stay updated on announcements and clarifications via the official portal.
All teams, whether selected or not, gain experience, exposure, and a platform in India’s innovation ecosystem.
Conclusion
Viksit Bharat Buildathon 2025 is a landmark initiative by the Ministry of Education to awaken the innovation spirit among school students. With registrations open until 6 October 2025, now is the time for aspiring young innovators to register, form teams, and work on meaningful ideas. The synchronized event on 13 October will bring nationwide energy to student-led innovation and problem-solving.
If you’re a student, teacher, or school excited to be a part of India’s largest school hackathon, visit vbb.mic.gov.in, register before the deadline, and begin your Buildathon journey toward contributing to a self-reliant, prosperous, and developed India
