The grand finale of School Youth Ideathon (SYI) 2025 was held at IIT Delhi, marking the culmination of one of the largest innovation and entrepreneurship initiatives for school students in India. The event brought together young innovators from across the country, celebrating creativity, problem-solving, and social impact at the K–12 level. The competition witnessed strong participation nationwide, reflecting growing interest in experiential learning and student-led innovation aligned with national development goals.
CBSE Highlights Role of Students in Nation-Building
Addressing the closing ceremony, Dr. Biswajit Saha, Director (Skill Education) at the Central Board of Secondary Education, highlighted the potential of young learners to contribute meaningfully to society. He noted that today’s students are capable of addressing real societal challenges when provided with the right guidance, support, and exposure to innovation-driven platforms.
National Participation and Selection Process
The final round featured 125 student teams, shortlisted after a multi-stage evaluation process. These teams were selected from over 1.02 lakh participating teams across the country, following rigorous screening focused on originality, feasibility, and social relevance of ideas. The competition provided a structured platform for students from Classes 4 to 12 to convert conceptual ideas into practical solutions addressing real-world problems.
School Youth Ideathon 2025 Theme and Organisers
School Youth Ideathon 2025 was conducted under the theme “Nayi Soch Naya Bharat”, encouraging students to think innovatively about India’s future. The initiative was organised by ThinkStartup Foundation and Management Entrepreneurship Professional Skills Council (MEPSC), in association with CBSE, with a focus on nurturing entrepreneurial skills at the school level.
Grand Incubation Grant Winners at SYI 2025
Eight student teams emerged as grand prize winners at the national finale. These teams represented schools from different regions of the country, showcasing diversity in ideas and problem statements. The winning teams included student groups from schools in Delhi, Gurugram, Vadodara, Jaipur, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, and other cities.
Theme Prize and Special Category Winners
In addition to the main awards, several teams received theme-based prizes recognising innovation in areas such as smart mobility, health solutions, sustainability, education, and cultural heritage. A special award in the female innovation category was also presented, highlighting inclusive participation and leadership among girl students.
Industry and Skill Council Perspectives
Col. Anil Pokhriyal, CEO of MEPSC, praised the quality of ideas presented, stating that the students demonstrated both creativity and execution readiness. Representatives from industry partners supporting the initiative also underlined the importance of early exposure to innovation ecosystems. Organisers emphasised that platforms like SYI play a critical role in bridging classroom learning with real-world problem-solving. The successful conclusion of School Youth Ideathon 2025 reinforces the growing emphasis on skill-based education, entrepreneurship, and innovation within India’s school education framework.