FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2024-25 Kicks Off in Pune with 60 Teams, Including International Participants

Pune, 1st March 2025: The FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2024-25, one of India’s largest robotics competitions for school and junior college students, was inaugurated with much excitement at the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Boxing Stadium, Mhalunge, Pune. The event has drawn 60 teams from across India, along with international participants from Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, and the UAE, making it a truly global competition.

Grand Inauguration with Industry and Academic Leaders

The opening ceremony was graced by eminent personalities from the academic and industrial sectors, including Dr. Siddharth Jabade, Vice Chancellor of Vishwakarma University, Padma Shri Pramod Kale (former Director, ISRO), and Vishwanath Sastry and Pragati Chauhan from Circana. Other dignitaries present included Amit Sawarkar from RTX, Vikas Sawhney from Bajaj Auto Ltd., Mahesh Masurkar from John Deere, and Sajit Chakingal from TMF.

Highlighting the significance of the event, Dr. Siddharth Jabade said, “Competitions like the FIRST Tech Challenge help students build confidence, enhance their knowledge, and develop essential life skills. We at Vishwakarma University recognize this and are excited to introduce scholarships for students who participate and volunteer in this event.”

Vishwanath Sastry, representing Circana, emphasized the impact of such competitions on future technology leaders. “Innovation thrives in an environment of creativity and collaboration. The FIRST Tech Challenge nurtures these qualities, and at Circana, we are proud to support young minds as they explore robotics and STEM solutions,” he said.

Robotics Theme and Competition Format

This year’s challenge, titled ‘Dive’ Powered by Qualcomm, features the game ‘Into the Deep’ Powered by RTX. Participants have used their STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) skills to design and build robots capable of exploring underwater ecosystems.

Each match runs for 2 minutes and 30 seconds in an alliance format, where high-ranking teams form strategic alliances for the final rounds. The grand finale, scheduled for March 2, 2025, will determine the champion team that will represent India at the FIRST World Championship in Houston, USA, from April 15-19, 2025.

Inclusivity and Representation

The event has embraced diversity and inclusion, featuring teams from rural schools, state-run institutions, and international participants. Notably, a team from a school for hearing-impaired students and another from Signal School, Mumbai, are competing, reinforcing the event’s commitment to accessibility and equal opportunity.

Support and Sponsorship for Young Innovators

To make participation more inclusive, each team received a robotics kit to aid in their projects. While students were required to have basic knowledge of mechanics and electronics, mentors provided guidance throughout the process.

In an effort to support students from economically weaker backgrounds, major sponsors including Qualcomm, John Deere, Dow, RTX, Bajaj Auto Ltd., and the InfinityX STEM Foundation sponsored 20 robotics kits, enabling broader participation.

Building Future Innovators

Beyond competition, the FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship aims to inspire young minds to explore careers in technology, engineering, and robotics. It encourages critical thinking, teamwork, and problem-solving, equipping students with the skills needed for the future.