Smart India Hackathon 2025 Concludes at I²IT Pune; Experts Urge Students to Build User-Centric Innovations
Pune, 10th December 2025: The International Institute of Information Technology (I²IT), Pune, successfully concluded the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Software Edition with a grand Valedictory Ceremony held on 9th December 2025 at the Mohini Chhabria Convention Centre.
As one of the selected Nodal Centres by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE, I²IT hosted finalists from across the country for the world’s largest open innovation model—an event designed to empower young innovators to solve real-world challenges.
Brigadier Sachin Kalia, Managing Director in the Government of India, was the Chief Guest for the valedictory function. Shashank Patkar, CEO and Valuepreneur at Neilsoft Technologies, was the guest of honor. Prof. Dr. Vaishali Patil, Principal of I²IT, Lt. Cdr. Akhil Sharma from AICTE, Mayur Borkar & Tejas Somayya, nodal officers, were present on the occasion.
Brig Sachin Kalia urged students to embrace discipline, creativity, and a strong national vision as they develop technology-led solutions for the future. Highlighting the unprecedented opportunity created by the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission, Brig Kalia called on students to shed hesitation and step forward with confidence. Citing experiences from IIT Mumbai and defence innovation ecosystems, he shared a real-life example reminiscent of 3 Idiots, where a team built “Google Craft” in just 48 hours through seamless collaboration across communication, electronics, and engineering design. Expressing surprise at the absence of defence-related challenges this year, he said he has recommended that AICTE include problem statements on night-vision systems, thermal imaging, digital twins, and AI-enabled soldier–equipment interfaces in future editions to strengthen India’s technological self-reliance.
Shashank Patkar supplemented this perspective by noting the rapid shifts in technology and employment caused by artificial intelligence, global study trends, and evolving placement landscapes. He emphasised that communication skills—particularly the ability to articulate ideas clearly and demonstrate impact—are becoming as critical as technical expertise. Patkar encouraged students to treat AI as “a partner, not a master,” and to deepen their understanding of real-world challenges through field interaction with farmers, doctors, and civic workers before creating solutions.
The valedictory ceremony also recognised jury members and mentors, followed by the announcement of winners across tracks, with Team CodeDivas from BNMIT Bengaluru and Team NeuraX25AM05 from KGiSL Coimbatore emerging as winners under DST Track 1; Team 818_charCOAL from Indore Institute of Science and Technology winning DST Track 2; Team DEEPWISE25SSEC from Shantilal Shah Engineering College, Bhavnagar claiming DST Track 3; while under the NeilSoft tracks, Team EduBotX from SKNCOE Pune won Track 4 and Team HouseOfCoders from IIIT Nagpur bagged Track 5 for their respective problem statements.
Delivering the vote of thanks, Lt Cdr Akhil Sharma, Assistant Director at AICTE, acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Education, AICTE, MIC, and partner organisations. I²IT Vice Principal Madhuri Reddy expressed gratitude to Hope Foundation & Research Centre, faculty coordinators, administrative teams, and student volunteers for ensuring the smooth execution of the national event. Prof. Minal Badgujar compered the program. The ceremony concluded with the National Anthem.
I²IT officials said SIH 2025 reaffirmed the belief that young innovators remain central to shaping India’s technological aspirations and advancing the vision of an Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat.
