Youth to Shape India’s Tech Future: AICTE Chief

India’s youth will shape the nation’s technological future, said All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) chairman Prof T.G. Sitharam, while virtually inaugurating the eighth edition of Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 at the GITAM Deemed to be University nodal centre on Monday.

He urged students to deliver practical, scalable solutions and underscored the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The event, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and AICTE, is underway at 60 centres across the country.

Describing SIH as a platform that connects academia, industry, and government, Prof. Sitharam highlighted the Centre’s push for private sector involvement in aerospace, defence, and atomic research. This, he said, opens avenues for startups and deep-tech ventures led by young innovators.

To nurture this ecosystem, AICTE has introduced minor degree programmes in atomic energy, semiconductors and quantum technologies. He encouraged students to pursue emerging fields and support the “Vocal for Local” initiative by developing technology for artisans and rural communities.

For SIH 2025, 80 central departments have submitted 271 problem statements. Prof Sitharam applauded the participation of 1,360 teams, including 53 all-women teams, noting the increasing presence of women in technology.

GITAM Pro Vice Chancellor Prof Y. Gouthama Rao, School of Business Dean Prof Raja P. Pappu, and officials from AICTE, NDRF and ITBP attended the inaugural programme and appreciated the student response.

GITAM nodal centre convener B. Rajkumar said 25 teams from various states are competing in Visakhapatnam on hardware challenges set by the NDRF and ITBP. Teams will work on prototypes over five days, after which a jury will evaluate the projects and announce the winners.