Interest registrations now open · Limited launch cohort
The Economic TimesEducation presents
ET DAKSHAAn initiative under ET DAKSHA
Registrations open
ET Young Bharat Innovators Challenge

Use AI to solve a real-world problem.

A nationwide stage for school students to use AI on the problems they care about — climate, learning, livelihoods, safety, community. Mentored by experts. Recognised by ET Education.

Classes 6–12Solo or team of 2–4Free to register7 tracks
10,000+
Students expected
500+
Partner schools
28
States & UTs
Open callBrief · 01 / 2026
Build an AI solution for the India you live in.
Mar–Nov
Cohort
7 tracks
Themes
Pan-India
3 stages
ET
Live event
Registrations open
Live
ET Young Bharat
Innovators Challenge
India's largest K–12 AI innovation championship
Registration closes in
00
DAYS
00
HRS
00
MIN
00
SEC
Register Free →
AI for Climate
AI for Education
AI for Social Impact
AI for Entrepreneurship
AI for Financial Literacy
AI for Digital Safety
AI for Community
AI for Climate
AI for Education
AI for Social Impact
AI for Entrepreneurship
AI for Financial Literacy
AI for Digital Safety
AI for Community
What's in it for you

You don't just enter. You walk out with skills, mentors and proof.

More for students
Discover what AI can do in your hands

Not theory. You'll actually use AI to solve a problem you care about.

Earn recognition that travels with you

Verifiable certificates and badges you can put on your portfolio, applications and resume.

Get mentored by people who've done it

Top teams get 1:1 time with industry mentors, educators and AI builders.

Stand on a national stage

Pitch your idea at city, state and national showcases backed by ET Education.

Why this. Why now.

AI is the biggest thing of your lifetime. You don't watch it. You use it.

AI for Impact 2026 is built so school students don't just learn about AI — they use it to solve climate, social, financial and community problems, with guidance from real mentors and the credibility of ET Education behind them.

Live2026
Build
something
that ships.
AssessLearnBuildMentorShowcaseRecognise
ET
DAKSHA
Pick your fight

7 tracks. One you can't ignore.

All tracks
Your 8-step journey

A real 8-month journey — not a one-day contest.

STEP 01
Register

You and your team are in.

STEP 02
Assess

Take the AI & future-skills readiness check.

STEP 03
Learn

Bite-sized AI essentials you actually understand.

STEP 04
Build

Pick a track. Build an idea, prototype or pitch.

STEP 05
Submit

Concept deck, video or working prototype.

STEP 06
Get Mentored

Top teams get 1:1 mentor sessions.

STEP 07
Showcase

Present at city, state and national finale.

STEP 08
Get Recognised

Certificates, badges, awards, portfolio.

Who's invited

If you're in school, you're in.

Classes 6–8
Junior Innovators

Solo, a team of 2–4 or nominated by your school. You choose how you show up.

SoloTeamSchool
Classes 9–10
Young Innovators

Solo, a team of 2–4 or nominated by your school. You choose how you show up.

SoloTeamSchool
Classes 11–12
Future Leaders

Solo, a team of 2–4 or nominated by your school. You choose how you show up.

SoloTeamSchool
Key dates · indicative
Q1 2026
Interest registrations open
Q2 2026
Assessments & learning
Q3 2026
Submissions & mentorship
Q4 2026
National showcase & awards
What you walk away with

Real recognition. Not a downloadable PDF nobody opens.

Verifiable certificate
Future-Skills badge
National awards
Showcase invite
Everything you need

One challenge. Built end-to-end.

One more thing

You can sit this out.
Or you can be on stage in 2026.

No cost to register interest