India has taken another powerful step toward becoming a global hub for artificial intelligence (AI). The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has announced the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025, a nationwide initiative designed to inspire and empower young minds aged 13–21 years.
The YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 aims to nurture AI talent among youth and encourage them to create AI-based solutions that address real-world problems — from sustainability and education to smart infrastructure and healthcare.
This initiative will lead up to the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled to be held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 19–20 February 2026, where the best young innovators will get an opportunity to showcase their ideas before global leaders and policymakers.
What is YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025?
The YUVAI (Young, Upcoming, and Versatile AI Innovators) Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 is an initiative launched by MeitY under the IndiaAI Mission. It aims to empower youth with foundational AI skills while providing a platform to develop and present AI-based solutions for social good.
The program includes virtual bootcamps, mentorship sessions, and opportunities for participants to present their innovations to a global audience at the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The challenge is completely free to participate in and open to both individuals and teams (up to 3 members) under the age of 21.
Objectives of the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025
The main objective of the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 is to enable youth to use AI for societal transformation. Below are the key goals:
- Engage youth with AI experts through mentorship and workshops to gain real-world experience.
- Train selected participants in 10-day virtual AI bootcamps with tools, skills, and practical knowledge.
- Promote AI for social good, focusing on sustainability, equality, and accessibility.
- Create opportunities for exposure, connecting Indian youth with international innovators and investors.
- Foster a strong AI innovation ecosystem that makes India a global leader in ethical and impactful AI.
Expected Impact of the Challenge
The YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 is expected to make a significant impact on India’s innovation landscape:
- Encourages multi-lateral innovation through international collaboration.
- Builds a generation of AI-ready youth equipped with both technical and ethical knowledge.
- Strengthens India’s domestic youth innovation ecosystem by providing mentorship and exposure to global AI practices.
- Helps India take a leading role in AI innovation by nurturing young problem solvers and innovators.
Themes of the Challenge
The YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 encourages participants to design AI-based solutions under the following suggestive themes:
1. Empowering People and Communities
AI solutions that enhance mental health, elderly care, fitness, nutrition, and inclusive education for all, including students with disabilities.
2. Transforming Core Sectors
Projects that improve agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, waste management, and industrial transformation through sustainable AI applications.
3. Future-Ready Infrastructure
AI ideas that build smart cities, green environments, promote clean energy, and improve public service delivery.
4. Open Innovation (Wildcard)
Participants can also submit cross-sector AI solutions with the potential for large-scale impact and scalability.
Each of these themes promotes AI for social good, combining innovation with ethics and inclusion.
Who Can Participate in YUVAI Challenge 2025?
Participation is open to all youth aged 13–21 years, including:
- Individual participants (one person ≤ 21 years old)
- Teams of up to 3 members, all aged ≤ 21 years
This inclusive structure allows school students, college students, and early innovators to showcase their creativity and problem-solving ability through AI.
Awards and Recognition
The YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 comes with exciting awards and opportunities worth ₹85 lakhs in total!
- 🥇 First Prize: ₹15 lakh (Top 3 solutions)
- 🥈 Second Prize: ₹10 lakh each (Next 3 solutions)
- 🏅 Special Recognition Awards: 2 awards of ₹5 lakh each
- 🧾 Certificates for all participants
- 🎁 Exclusive credits and giveaways for winners
This initiative ensures that every participant gains recognition and motivation to continue exploring AI innovation.
Summit Showcase: India AI Impact Summit 2026
The top 20 teams will get a fully sponsored trip to New Delhi to attend the India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam.
They will present their projects to global leaders, investors, and innovators, making this a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for India’s young AI talent.
Selected projects with high deployment potential will be invited to the Investor Showcase, where they can connect with potential funders to scale their solutions.
Mentorship & Training Opportunities
Participants shortlisted for the next stage will attend a 10-day virtual bootcamp organized by IndiaAI Mission.
During this mentorship period, participants will receive:
- Technical guidance from AI experts
- Training in ethical AI and innovation practices
- Hands-on experience in using AI tools (like Python, TensorFlow, and OpenCV)
- Support for solution enhancement and real-world deployment
This is where young participants truly transform their ideas into impactful AI-driven solutions.
Post-Summit Opportunities
Winning teams of the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 will continue to benefit even after the summit:
- 🌐 Investment opportunities for top scalable solutions
- 📘 Publication in the official AI Innovation Compendium Report
- 🧠 Mentorship from leading Indian and global AI institutions
- ⚙️ Real-world deployment support for Indian winners
- 💡 Permanent showcase on the Summit website
- 🔐 All Intellectual Property (IP) remains with the innovators or teams — giving them full ownership of their ideas.
Important Dates for YUVAI Challenge 2025
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Applications Open | 1 October 2025 |
| Last Date to Apply | 31 October 2025 |
| Screening & Evaluation | November 2025 |
| Bootcamps & Workshops | November 2025 |
| Stage 2 Submission Deadline | 7 December 2025 |
| Virtual Interviews & Presentations | December 2025 |
| Top 20 Finalists Announced | 31 December 2025 |
| India AI Impact Summit & Winners Announcement | 19–20 February 2026 |
How to Apply for YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025
Eligible students can register for the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 through the official IndiaAI Mission website.
For queries, participants may contact Mr. Kartik Suri, GM-Future Skills, IndiaAI Mission, via email at gm-futureskills@indiaai.gov.in.
Colleges and universities are also requested by the University Grants Commission (UGC) to circulate this opportunity widely and encourage active student participation.
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Conclusion
The YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 is not just a competition — it’s a mission to empower India’s youth to become AI leaders of tomorrow.
By fostering creativity, technical excellence, and ethical innovation, this initiative ensures that the young generation is ready to harness AI for social good.
If you are a student passionate about technology and innovation, don’t miss this chance to be part of the YUVAI Global Youth AI Challenge 2025 and showcase your talent at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 — where the world will witness the future of AI, powered by India’s youth.
