The Grand Finale of the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 – Software Edition concluded at Vardhaman College of Engineering (VCE), where 24 finalist teams from 12 states showcased breakthrough digital innovations during the 36-hour national hackathon.
VCE was chosen as one of 60 nodal centres across India—and one of only five in Telangana—to host the world’s largest student innovation event, organised by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell (MIC) and AICTE.
Finalists worked on high-impact problem statements from the Jammu & Kashmir Government, including:
- AI-driven timetable generation (NEP-aligned)
- Digital mental health ecosystem
- Centralised student activity record system
- Personalised career advisory platform
- ‘Prashikshan’ – next-gen academia–industry interface
SIH 2025 Winners (₹1,50,000 each):
- Eklavya, MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune
- Gap Bridgers, IIIT Nagpur
- Hack Hounds, Dr. Mahalingam College, Coimbatore
- Team Pioneers, Kalasalingam Academy, Tamil Nadu
- Teen Titans, SPIT Mumbai
Dr. Nikhil Kant, Deputy Director, AICTE, presented prizes and said,
“The innovations here reflect the future of India’s tech talent. These students are building the foundation of India’s digital decade.”
Dr. Sachin Agarwal, Director – GenAI, PepsiCo, added,
“The solutions have real deployment potential. The clarity and rigor shown by young innovators is remarkable.”
VCE Principal Prof. JVR Ravindra said hosting SIH 2025 showcased what young engineers can achieve with the right ecosystem.
Industry evaluators from TCS, Wipro, Verizon, Arena Business Solutions, Teckybot, and Vidyardhi Pvt. Ltd. praised participants for strong technical capability and problem-solving depth.
