Launched in 2016, the annual challenge promotes social entrepreneurship and gives students opportunities to exchange ideas and interact with mentors and potential funders.

This year, 10 teams were shortlisted from more than 270 entries submitted by universities and colleges nationwide. Their ideas addressed education, livelihoods, health, sustainability and governance.

Finalists and winning ideas

First prize: SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Contact person: Karol S John (+918089205925)

The winning team presented URAPPU, a service that helps construction workers access government welfare benefits available to them.  Trained facilitators and case-management systems support workers with registration, documentation, eligibility checks, renewals, and claims.

Under its primary model, builders pay for the service, allowing workers to use it free of charge. The team is also exploring an alternative model that includes insurance benefits and may require workers to contribute according to their category.

Second prize: Azim Premji University, Bengaluru

Contact person: Arti Vilas Manmode (+919923254290)

The second-prize team presented SuoMoto, a digital platform for visually impaired people and persons with benchmark disabilities (PwBD). SuoMoto Academy supports competitive-examination preparation through audio-based learning tools and memory techniques, enabling users to solve problems without pen and paper.

SuoMoto Club connects users with jobs, events and peers while supporting safe navigation. The platform aims to expand access to education and employment and promote independent living.

Third Prize: Azim Premji University, Bengaluru and Lovely Professional University

The third-prize team presented GreenPath, a digital platform that improves waste collection and management in rural areas. It gives households a digital identity, tracks waste collection through QR codes, and monitors waste segregation and payments. The platform also provides panchayats with real-time data to help them manage waste more effectively.

Designed to work offline and in multiple languages, GreenPath aims to strengthen local waste management and make waste collectors’ work more visible and valued. 

Samudra Sangkha Gogoi, mentor for the Social Enterprise Cell at Azim Premji University, said: “The Idea Challenge helps us understand the social issues that young people care about. It also shows how they can build sustainable enterprises to address these issues. Reaching the 10th edition inspires us to continue this work.”

Divya Darshan is a cinematic, anchor-led, long-format video series uncovering lesser-known stories and age-old traditions of sacred temples through conversations with priests, local historians and researchers.

The series has been made possible with the special guidance of Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, along with special access, guidance and knowledge sharing from the Cultural Ministry of the Government of Himachal Pradesh.

Shri Mukesh Agnihotri, Deputy Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, said, “Himachal Pradesh’s ancient temples and timeless traditions are central to our cultural heritage. I commend Times Music Spiritual for bringing these sacred destinations to a wider audience through Divya Darshan and promoting spiritual tourism in the state.”

Mandar Thakur, CEO, Times Music, said, “India’s temples hold stories that go far beyond their walls, carrying centuries of faith, history and tradition. With Divya Darshan, we aim to bring these stories to a wider audience through meaningful, long-format storytelling.”

Watch Divya Darshan from 12th October on Times Music Spiritual YouTube channel.

Watch it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hftKH7nODT4

“Vidya, that is, knowledge, is not enough. Knowledge is only the potential; when you add entrepreneurship, it becomes power.”

ON AI AND HUMAN DECISION-MAKING:

Speaking about the role of AI in Operation Sindoor, General Dwivedi emphasised that technology and artificial intelligence do not work in isolation, with human experience and judgement continuing to play a central role. He said, “In this, the artificial intelligence did not work alone. It was the experience which worked with it. So, what is important is that together, we become powerful, the machine cues data and then humans decide. So, the machine is there to support you, but humans are the ones who will decide when to act, where to act, and when to stop.”

He also spoke about how the pace of planning and execution is changing with AI, saying, “Earlier, we used to look at 80 per cent of planning. Once you finish planning, then you look at execution. But in view of the artificial intelligence, your pace is so fast that you have to have concurrent planning and execution.” Connecting this shift to the adaptability of the younger generation, General Dwivedi said, “You are 36 crore Generation Z who are going to take this India forward. So, you don’t have to just know AI. You have to ride the AI like a horse rider, and AI and humans have to collaborate, for which Indians are always the best adapters.”

ON THE VISION OF VIKSIT BHARAT 2047:

Speaking about the future of national security and the role of young technology professionals, General Dwivedi said that a future Operation Sindoor would require collaboration between the armed forces and civil professionals. “As far as Operation Sindoor is concerned, now, if you are looking at 2.0, whenever it comes in the future, it will be a combination of the uniformed warriors and the civil warriors like you.”

“The next war will not have any borders. It will be there in the economic field. It will also be addressing your aircraft, airlines, airports, railway stations, and banking.”

He further highlighted the role of technology graduates in securing digital infrastructure. “Besides helping the Indian Army, you will be fighting the UPI in case somebody is carrying out an attack on that. So, payments defects and, of course, the affordable solutions to counter the drones. The smartphone will be the front line, and your code will be a shield or a coverage. So, Viksit Bharat 2047 will be in labs and startups which you are going to create in the future.”

APPRECIATING THE INITIATIVES AT VIT BHOPAL UNIVERSITY:

General Dwivedi also highlighted VIT Bhopal University’s STARS programme, saying, “If there are people from such a wide variety of backgrounds, then my kudos to VIT, which has brought everyone together. And that’s why I must compliment the STARS (Support the Advancement of Rural Students) Scheme programme of VIT, through which so many students from different places are studying here.”

He also appreciated the university’s approach to creativity and alternative approaches, referring to its No-Bag Day. “That is something great. It was something very creative, and I have never seen it at any college or university.”

The address concluded with General Dwivedi urging the graduating students to translate their knowledge into action and innovation. He emphasised that the next phase of India’s growth will be shaped by young professionals who can combine technology, entrepreneurship and human judgement to build solutions for the country. His message placed the graduating students at the centre of India’s journey towards Viksit Bharat 2047.

Nagpur, October 11: IIM Nagpur organised ‘Margdarshak’s Meet 2026’ on Sunday for students of its Professional Management Practice (PMP) course. The event brought more than 60 industry mentors to its sprawling campus at MIHAN, Nagpur. Students interacted with senior corporate leaders as part of the 8 months long mentoring initiative, to prepare them to have a smooth transition from campus to corporate life.

Dr. Pushp Kumar Joshi, former Chairman and Managing Director of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), was the Chief Guest. Addressing the gathering on “Role of Mentors in Professional Success: A Personal Saga,” he encouraged students to develop clarity about their aspirations by being candid during their conversations with their respective mentors.

Dr. Joshi highlighted the importance of emotional quotient (EQ), intelligence quotient (IQ) and spiritual quotient (SQ), particularly in the era of artificial intelligence. “My life is bigger than my profession,” he said, encouraging students to look beyond their professional roles when considering their aspirations and personal development.

He also emphasised the need to develop spiritual quotient (SQ) from an early age. “SQ is the foundation of your self-esteem,” Dr. Joshi said, urging students to begin working on it early rather than waiting until they became senior citizens.

The experience-sharing session featured Mr. Sajjad Ahmed Shaik, Senior Director, Capgemini; Ms. Neha Mathur, former Chief Human Resources Officer, Urban Company; Mr. Praveen Gawali, Head of Human Resources (Textile), Raymond; and Mr. Lalit Kar, Senior Vice President – Workforce Management, Reliance Retail.

Sharing their mentoring experiences, the speakers encouraged students to remain alert and attentive, ask questions and draw practical insights from their mentors’ industry experience.

Prof. Alok Kumar Singh, Dean – Executive Education, delivered the welcome address, while Prof. Devashis Rath, Course Instructor, set the context for the programme. Students contributed through a Placecom presentation and cultural performances. Prof. Rath also proposed the vote of thanks at the inaugural session.

India, October 10, 2026: As the world celebrates the power of scientific discovery, 25 researchers from Shoolini University have been recognised in the latest World’s Top 2% Scientists list released by Elsevier, with seven also recognised for their career-long research impact.

Developed by a research team at Stanford University led by Prof John P. A. Ioannidis, in collaboration with Elsevier and Scopus, the latest database evaluates researchers worldwide and identifies the top 2% in each scientific subfield.

The latest list, released on October 7, 2026, draws on the August 1, 2026 Scopus data snapshot. It recognises researchers in two categories: Single-Year impact, based on citations received during 2025, and Career-Long impact, based on cumulative citations through the end of 2025. The methodology incorporates indicators including the composite c-score, h-index, co-authorship-adjusted measures and authorship-position metrics.

The recognition places Shoolini’s researchers alongside scientists from the world’s leading universities and research institutions. It is a global endorsement of research carried out in Shoolini University, across 12 scientific disciplines, covering Environmental Sciences and Nanotechnology to Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology and Pharmacology.

For Prof. P.K. Khosla, Chancellor, Shoolini University, the recognition is a reminder of the ambition that has guided the University since its beginnings. “This is a deeply proud moment for the entire Shoolini family and for me personally. When we started Shoolini, we had a simple but ambitious dream to create a university where young people could be inspired by all the knowledge around us, be curious, ask the right questions and ultimately make an impact in the world. Seeing 25 of our researchers earn global recognition is a sign that we are steadily moving towards that dream.” 

The recognition comes as Shoolini continues to strengthen its research ecosystem through interdisciplinary research, international collaborations, advanced laboratory infrastructure and competitive research funding. Researchers across the University work at the intersection of disciplines, with research spanning fundamental science, technology and applications with wider implications for society and industry. For Shoolini, the recognition is part of a larger ambition to build a research-led university where faculty and students have the opportunities to pursue questions that matter.

Reflecting on this recognition, Prof Atul Khosla, Vice-Chancellor, Shoolini University, said, “The last time our researchers featured among the World’s Top Scientists, I spoke about a dream that may have sounded audacious: that Shoolini should produce a Nobel laureate within the next ten years. I continue to believe that universities have to be audacious about what they can contribute to science and to society. 

Today, seeing 25 Shoolini researchers recognised in the latest World’s Top 2% Scientists list, gives that ambition an even stronger foundation. What makes me particularly proud is not simply the number, but the breadth and depth of research being undertaken across the University.

The Nobel dream remains audacious. We have a long way to go. But 25 researchers today tells us that we are moving in the right direction. And we certainly do not intend to stop here.” 

The latest recognition adds to Shoolini University’s growing research profile and reflects the work of its researchers across a diverse range of scientific fields.

New Delhi, October 10, 2026: Shri Ashish Sood, Hon’ble Minister of Home & Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, and Shikhar Dhawan, Chairperson, Da One Group, inaugurated a state-of-the-art STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Lab at CM Shri School, Janakpuri today under the Seva Sankalp Abhiyan, organized to mark 25 years of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji’s public service and to engage citizens in the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047. Supported by Sportskeeda under its CSR initiative, the STEM Lab has been established under SDF’s STEM Shiksha initiative, building on the Foundation’s work to expand technology-enabled learning across Delhi Government schools.

The Janakpuri STEM Lab marks the expansion of Shikhar Dhawan Foundation’s Digital Shiksha programme, taking technology-enabled learning beyond the classroom and into dedicated spaces for hands-on exploration and experimentation. The initiative is being undertaken in continued collaboration with the Government of NCT of Delhi, with a focus on creating meaningful and future-ready learning opportunities for students across Delhi Government schools.

Shri Ashish Sood, Hon’ble Minister of Home & Education, Government of NCT of Delhi, said, “The Government of Delhi, under the leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji, is committed to strengthening education through technology and creating advanced and future-ready learning opportunities for children in our Government schools. STEM Labs are an important step in this direction, enabling students to move beyond textbook learning and learn through experience, exploration and experimentation. It is encouraging to see the vision we began with the STEM Lab Launch in August take shape further with the launch of the second Lab here at CM Shri School, Janakpuri. The Government of Delhi shares a long and strong association with Shikhar Dhawan Ji and Da One Group, and I encourage Shikhar Dhawan Ji and his Foundation to take this vision of STEM Labs to more schools across Delhi.”

Shikhar Dhawan, Chairperson of Da One Group and Founder of the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation, said, “It is extremely encouraging for us at the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation to see this initiative grow and reach more schools here in Delhi. When we launched STEM Shiksha, the vision was to create greater access to technology-enabled learning across Delhi under the leadership of the Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji and the guidance of Hon’ble Minister of Home & Education Shri Ashish Sood Ji. I am grateful to the Government of Delhi for believing in our STEM Shiksha initiative. I am also pleased to have Sportskeeda as our CSR partner for the STEM Lab. We aspire to grow this further to empower our children and make digital education more accessible to them.”

Anshita Gupta, CEO, Da One Group, said, “Shikhar Dhawan Foundation’s partnership with the Government of Delhi has been inspirational in keeping us motivated to grow STEM Shiksha initiative across multiple government schools in Delhi. We are grateful to Hon’ble Chief Minister Smt. Rekha Gupta Ji and Hon’ble Minister of Home & Education Shri Ashish Sood Ji for their continued trust and support in us. I would also like to extend my gratitude to our CSR partner Sportskeeda for coming on board in resonance with Shikhar’s vision of creating meaningful and future-ready opportunities for children.”

Since its launch, the Shikhar Dhawan Foundation’s Digital Shiksha initiative has focused on technology-enabled learning, with STEM Shiksha taking this journey forward through dedicated spaces for hands-on learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

STEM Shiksha is being led by Sophie Dhawan, COO, Da One Group, and Anshita Gupta, CEO, Da One Group, who continue to drive the Foundation’s education initiatives and strategic partnerships.

Mumbai, 10 October 2026: K.P.B. Hinduja College of Commerce (Hinduja College), in association with Central Depository Services (India) Limited (CDSL) and Krisha Foundation, under the aegis of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), organised a Cycle Rally in Worli today to mark World Investor Week (WIW) 2026. More than 200 students, faculty members and invited guests took part.

The initiative highlighted the World Investor Week 2026 themes of Investor Resilience, Digital Deception and Scam Alert, encouraging participants to make informed investment decisions, recognise digital risks and stay vigilant against financial fraud, in line with SEBI’s WIW 2026 theme, “Samajh Se Investing Simple.”

Through the Cycle Rally, Hinduja College, in association with CDSL and Krisha Foundation, under the aegis of SEBI, took the investor education message to the streets of Mumbai. The initiative demonstrated that financial literacy extends beyond classrooms and encouraged students to share their learning with the wider community.

The Cycle Rally started and finished at the Hinduja College campus at Sadhana House, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, covering about 5 km. Riders carried a simple call to the public: invest with knowledge, verify before you trust, and stay alert to fraud.

For Hinduja College, the Cycle Rally was an extension of what it teaches every day. Its objective was to promote investor awareness, financial literacy, responsible investment practices and investor protection among students and the general public. As a commerce institution, the college trains students in finance, markets and investing; this initiative encouraged them to pass that learning on.

Expressing his views, Prof. (Dr.) Navin M. Punjabi, Principal, Hinduja College, said, “Hinduja College is delighted to organise this Cycle Rally in association with CDSL and Krisha Foundation, under the aegis of SEBI. A cycle symbolises the discipline an investor needs: balance, steady effort and the commitment to keep moving forward. Our message is simple—keep investing with discipline, awareness and knowledge. This approach can help build wealth in the long run. Investor Education cannot stay inside a textbook; through this Cycle Rally, our students carried the message of informed and safe investing to the community.”

Students were at the centre of the ride, participating as riders and volunteers and carrying messages on building investor resilience, recognising digital deception and spotting scams before money is lost. By explaining these ideas to fellow citizens, they practised financial literacy rather than only studying it.

Bengaluru, 9th October, 2026: Mastercard has collaborated with HYBE INDIA as a presenting partner of the inaugural Weverse Con Festival India, bringing some of the world’s largest K-pop artists and Indian artists to fans across the country.

The collaboration marks Mastercard’s continued commitment to connecting people through shared passions, as music and fandom continue to transcend borders and bring people together across cultures.

Taking place on March 27–28, 2027, in Delhi, the festival marks Weverse Con Festival’s first edition outside of Korea, bringing its globally celebrated immersive live music format to Indian audiences. As a presenting partner, Mastercard will provide exclusive offerings for cardholders, presenting opportunities to engage with the festival and get closer to the artistes they love.

For Mastercard cardholders, access begins with The Mastercard Collection, with an exclusive presale only for World, World Select, World Elite and World Legend cardholders on Oct 27, 2026. This is followed by a Mastercard Presale on Oct 28 – 29, 2026, for all Mastercard cardholders globally.

The collaboration brings together Mastercard’s strong presence in live music and entertainment with HYBE’s global entertainment ecosystem, creating premium moments for fans to connect with the artistes, music and communities they are passionate about.

Damien Woochang Lee, CEO of HYBE INDIA, said: “The passion of India’s K-pop fans makes the country an exciting next chapter for the Weverse Con Festival. As we bring the festival outside of Korea for the first time to India, our focus is on creating an experience that goes beyond music to celebrate the fandom, culture and connections that make K-pop so powerful. We see India not only as an important market in its own right, but also as a meaningful gateway to the wider South Asian region, bringing fans together and creating new opportunities for artists and fandoms to connect. Partnering with Mastercard allows us to offer fans more ways to experience the festival and connect with the artists they admire.”.”

Julie Nestor, Executive Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, said: “K-pop has an extraordinary way of bringing people together through the music, artists and communities around them, and nowhere is that energy more evident than in India’s thriving K-culture fandom. Bringing Weverse Con Festival, a global fan-first celebration of K-pop, to the country for the first time creates a special moment for fans to feel that electric energy firsthand. For Mastercard cardholders, exclusive presale access means an earlier chance to be part of the excitement and get closer to the artists they can’t get enough of.”

Further details on the Weverse Con Festival India and Mastercard’s exclusive cardholder offerings will be unveiled on the official Mastercard social channels.

General sales begin on 30th October.

Mumbai, 09 October, 2026: Vashi Parivaar Foundation, the CSR arm of Vashi Integrated Solutions Ltd, has launched a Tailoring Skills Development Programme for family members of Indian Army personnel at the Vocational Training Centre under the Colaba Army Unit.

The programme was inaugurated with a batch of 30 women trainees, in the presence of representatives from the Indian Army, Vashi Parivaar Foundation and Naigaum Social Service Society, the knowledge Partner for the initiative. The workshop will be conducted for 6 months, followed by a government-recognized examination.

Designed to provide participants with practical, job-oriented tailoring skills, the programme aims to create opportunities for livelihood generation, enhanced household income, and greater financial independence among the participating women. Through structured vocational training, the initiative seeks to equip trainees with skills that can be used for employment or independent income-generating opportunities.

Adding a formal credential to the programme, registered trainees who successfully complete the training will receive a passing certificate under the Maharashtra State Vocational Training framework. This provides participants with recognised documentation of the vocational skills acquired through the programme.

Speaking on the initiative, Shweta Dodeja, Managing Director, Vashi Parivaar Foundation & CSR Head for Vashi Integrated Solutions Ltd., said, “We feel honoured to serve the army who serve the nation so selflessly. It’s a privilege for Vashi Parivaar Foundation to implement this program with Naigaum Social Service Society and contribute in a small way for the people who protect us while we sleep peacefully in our homes.”

The Tailoring Skills Development Programme is part of Vashi Parivaar Foundation’s broader commitment to skill development, women’s empowerment and sustainable livelihoods. By creating access to vocational training and formal skill recognition, the Foundation aims to support individuals and communities in building greater economic resilience.

The programme has been designed with the specific needs of Army families in mind, with vocational skills offering women the flexibility to explore livelihood opportunities alongside family responsibilities and the mobility often associated with military service.

The initiative also reflects Vashi Parivaar Foundation’s focus on extending the impact of its CSR efforts beyond immediate support, towards programmes that enable long-term capability building and livelihood opportunities.

New Delhi, 9th October 2026: Children, diplomats, educators and public leaders came together on Thursday for an international initiative Colors for Peace, a not-for-profit organization, involved with children across 135 countries and headquartered in Italy. The campaign aims to bring children’s creativity into the global conversation on peace, coexistence, and mutual understanding. The programme saw participation from around 1500 students from schools across Delhi NCR, each invited to express their understanding of peace through drawings.

The initiative also extended beyond formal school networks, with children from street schools taking part, bringing together young voices from varied societal and educational backgrounds. 

The programme held at Amity International School, Pushp Vihar, New Delhi brought together H.E. Mehdi Jomaa, Former Prime Minister of Tunisia; H.E. Antonio Bartoli, Ambassador of Italy to India; Smt. Arti Mehra, Former Mayor of Delhi; Ms. Arunima Kukreja, Ambassador, Colors for Peace India and Founding Director, CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence and Mr. Antonio Giannelli, Founder and President, Colors for Peace 

Speaking on the occasion, Arunima Kukreja, Ambassador, Colors for Peace India and Founding Director, CP Kukreja Foundation for Design Excellence, said: “Through this initiative, students will have the opportunity to share their values, ethos, perspectives and educational experiences, fostering greater understanding and appreciation of each other’s cultures.

Just as artworks from India are travelling to Italy this year, we look forward to bringing artworks from Italy to India next year, with a larger vision of eventually creating a platform in India that showcases artworks from children and artists across the world. Inspired by the spirit of the Colosseum and the Peace Park in Italy, we envision building a space in India that becomes a symbol of peace, creativity, unity and cultural dialogue”

H.E. the Ambassador of Italy to India said: “Peace is nurtured through education, dialogue and inclusion. By giving children a platform to express their hopes and emotions through art, we help build greater empathy and understanding. Initiatives like this keep the memory of the past alive while inspiring a more peaceful and inclusive future.”

Smt. Arti Mehra, Former Mayor of Delhi, said: “Today, what touched me most was seeing how children from modest backgrounds express themselves through colours. Colours have the power to give children a voice, inspire creativity and bring a sense of joy and belonging. Through initiatives like Colours of Peace, we can turn every child’s imagination into a message of hope, sharing and harmony. Every colour they create is a small but meaningful step towards a more peaceful future”

The event concluded with a visit to the Colors for Peace Art Gallery, where artworks created by participating children were displayed. Selected artworks will travel to Italy for proposed exhibitions in 2027, while participating Indian and Italian schools are proposed to be virtually twinned—building a lasting cultural exchange around peace, empathy and coexistence. The previous initiatives have been showcased at leading international platforms, including the G7, Expo Milan, Palazzo Vecchio and the Colosseum.