Newz Desk, Durgapur: IIT Kharagpur has opened the application window for the 2025–26 edition of its Young Innovators Program (YIP), inviting school students from Class VIII to XII across the globe to participate in its annual innovation challenge.
Now in its seventh year, YIP has steadily grown into a major international platform for young thinkers. The previous edition attracted around 3,500 entries from India and abroad, including countries such as the UAE, Singapore, Denmark, Malaysia and Saudi Arabia.
Anandaroop Bhattacharya, dean of international relations at IIT Kharagpur, said the initiative has become a hub for youthful creativity. “YIP has evolved into a global space where curiosity meets scientific inquiry. Early exposure to innovation is crucial, and this programme helps shape future problem-solvers,” he said.
Application Process
Schools must first nominate a coordinating teacher, who will create a team account on the official YIP portal. Teams should consist of two to three students, with their details submitted through the teacher.
Participants must upload an abstract addressing one of five themes:
- food security
- technology for the specially abled
- sustainability and environment
- innovations in education
- affordable hardware-based healthcare solutions
The deadline for submissions is November 30.
Shortlisted teams will be invited to IIT Kharagpur from January 2 to 4, where they will present working prototypes. Both the semifinal and final rounds will be held on campus, judged by faculty members.
Even teams that do not win may receive mentorship from professors if their ideas show promise.
Over the years, YIP has showcased a wide range of inventive entries—such as devices for rapid pothole repair, emission-cutting vehicle filters, AI tools for oral cancer detection, and herbal pollution-control masks. “Every edition brings ideas that reflect not only technical innovation but also empathy toward real-world problems,” Bhattacharya added.
