Bhubaneswar: Interest in national innovation challenge, Design for Bharat 2027, has picked up in Odisha, with IIT Bhubaneswar, the state nodal institution for the programme, receiving around 120 applications from across the state so far. Of these, 12 young innovators have already submitted design solutions addressing real-world challenges.Sources said the institute would screen and review submissions before selecting entries for a state-level exhibition scheduled to be held in Dec. From the shortlisted participants, the three best young innovators from Odisha would be chosen to represent the state at the national-level event in New Delhi.Department of youth affairs under the ministry of youth affairs & sports is organising Design for Bharat 2027 through MY Bharat as part of the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders’ Dialogue 2027 initiative. “The competition aims to encourage youth to create practical and innovative solutions to pressing societal and developmental challenges,” said an official statement from IIT Bhubaneswar.The challenge features two categories — Open Challenge, which invites participants to develop novel products, systems and working models, and Graduation Project Challenge for design projects completed during the 2025-26 academic year. The focus areas include smart agriculture, accessible healthcare, clean energy, sustainable infrastructure, waste management, artisanal tools and civic utilities.Indian citizens aged between 18 and 29 years are eligible to participate. Selected entries from Odisha would be showcased at IIT Bhubaneswar, providing innovators an opportunity to present their ideas before experts and industry stakeholders.The best projects from across the country would advance to the national finals, where participants would receive mentoring from experts and get an opportunity to showcase their innovations at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.Officials said applications are still open for Open Challenge, with the last date for submission being Oct 31. Young innovators, students and aspiring designers have been encouraged to take part in the initiative, which seeks to harness youth-led innovation for nation-building and sustainable development.
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