The Department of Design at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati hosted the State-Level Exhibition for Design for Bharat – Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026, aligning with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ initiative to nurture young leaders toward the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047. Launched as a national design challenge, Design for Bharat aims to spur youth-led innovation that addresses significant social, cultural, and economic issues using creative and design-driven approaches. The initiative focuses on promoting critical thinking, collaboration, and innovation, facilitating mentorship from industry experts, and providing a platform for youth to showcase their ideas nationally.
This year’s theme, “Duality (Dwividhta),” encouraged participants to investigate transitional and in-between spaces where transformative ideas can develop. The competition involved seven thematic areas: Health, Wellness and Mental Health; Education and Learning; Connectivity and Transport; Agriculture; Sports and Hobbies; Safety and Protection; and Sustainability. As the nodal institute for Assam, IIT Guwahati received 15 design submissions from young innovators across the state. An initial evaluation by the departmental jury shortlisted 13 entries, with 10 teams going on to compete in the state-level exhibition held on December 22, 2025.
The event saw attendance from esteemed guests, including Shri Rahul Dev Sharma, Chief Guest and Chairman and Managing Director of Gargya Group of Companies, as well as Shri Pranabjit Hazarika, Assistant Vice President of TCPL Packaging, and Dr. Neelkamal Das, Administrative Officer of Assam State Space Application Centre (ASSAC). Prof. Pratul Chandra Kalita, Head of the Department of Design, welcomed participants and highlighted the initiative’s objectives and significance. Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, underscored the need for a robust culture of innovation to drive academic excellence and inclusive national growth. The dignitaries offered insights from various sectors, inspiring the young designers with entrepreneurial and academic perspectives.
During the exhibition, participants presented their projects via detailed posters and demonstrations. The jury, including Prof. Pratul Chandra Kalita, Prof. Amarendra Kumar Das, and Prof. Supradip Das, assessed the projects on multiple parameters, in conjunction with the invited dignitaries. Awards were presented based on the evaluations, with Shri Priyam Jyoti Das from Golaghat Engineering College winning First Rank for his project “Waste to Green Energy and Organic Fertilizer,” earning him the opportunity to represent Assam at the upcoming VBYLD in January 2026. The Second Rank was awarded to the team from North Lakhimpur University for their prototype “Terrabot – Agricultural Rover,” while the Third Rank was jointly claimed by Shri Partha Protim Patir of IIT Guwahati for “Ad-Well” and Shri Kashyap Gogoi from Swahid Peoli Phukan College, Sivasagar for “Natural Dye Extraction from Locally Available Plants.”