The 8th edition of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale is set to begin on December 8 and conclude on December 9 . This nationwide event gathers young and bright minds from across India. Its main goal is to develop fresh and effective solutions for real-world problems presented by various government departments and industries.
The Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) , a part of the Government of India, organises SIH. They work closely with the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) . The hackathon's grand finale will be hosted at 60 different centres throughout the country. One key centre for the Software Grand Finale is the Prin. L. N. Welingkar Institute of Management Development & Research (WeSchool) in Mumbai.
Key Numbers for SIH 2025
This year, the Smart India Hackathon saw a massive response from students. Here is a summary of the participation:
| Total Idea Submissions Received | 72,165 |
| Number of Student Teams Submitting Ideas | 68,766 |
| Problem Statements Defined by Ministries/Industries | 271 |
| Total Institutes that Participated | 2,587 |
| Teams Qualified for the Grand Finale | 1,360 |
| Students Qualified for the Grand Finale | 8,160 |
| Mentors Guiding Finalist Teams | 1,365 |
These 271 problem statements cover a wide range of issues. They come from central government ministries, state government departments, public sector undertakings (PSUs), and private companies. Students are tasked with using their technical skills to create innovative software to solve these specific challenges.
About the Smart India Hackathon
The Smart India Hackathon is known as one of the largest innovation programmes in the country. It was first launched in 2017 . Since 2018 , the event has been held in two parts: one for software solutions and another for hardware prototypes. The core idea behind SIH is to inspire students to use their creativity and technical knowledge. They are encouraged to build practical solutions for challenges that affect society and national development.
Past editions of SIH have shown great success. For instance, the Railway Ministry has successfully used innovative ideas from students. These ideas helped in areas like predicting maintenance needs for railway systems and improving passenger services. Such student-led innovations play a big role in making India's national infrastructure stronger and more efficient.
Main Focus Areas for This Edition
The 2025 edition of the hackathon focuses on critical and emerging technologies. Students will work on problems related to these sectors:
- Space Technology : Innovations for space exploration and satellite applications.
- Renewable Energy : Solutions for clean and sustainable power sources.
- Cybersecurity : Protecting digital systems and data from threats.
- Defence Technology : New ideas for national security.
- MedTech : Advancements in medical tools and healthcare technology.
- Robotics & Drones : Developing smart machines and unmanned aerial vehicles.
- Smart Education : Using technology to make learning better and easier.
- AgriTech : Technological solutions for farming and agriculture.
- Smart Automation : Creating automated systems for various tasks.
During the Grand Finale, more than 8,160 students will travel to their assigned nodal centres. There, they will present and demonstrate their solutions. This movement of students from different parts of the country for a common goal also highlights the spirit of national integration, aligning with the "Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat" initiative.
Contribution to National Development
The Smart India Hackathon has made a significant impact since its start. It has helped students secure patents for their new ideas. It has also supported the creation of many new companies (startups) led by students. Furthermore, government bodies and industry partners have adopted many of the innovative solutions developed during SIH. By giving students a platform to solve real problems, SIH is helping India move towards becoming an innovation-led and knowledge-driven economy. This effort directly supports the nation's goal of Viksit Bharat @2047 , which aims for a developed India by 2047.
Leaders involved in the hackathon, including officials from Central Railway and WeSchool, have praised its role. They emphasised how SIH empowers young people to tackle challenges and contribute to building a stronger nation.
