Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized that the government is introducing reforms to eliminate obstacles in the path of the country’s youth, fostering an environment of innovation and knowledge. Speaking at the grand finale of the ‘Smart India Hackathon (SIH)’ on Wednesday, Modi stated that the future of the world would be shaped by innovation, and India’s youth are playing a crucial role in solving the country’s challenges.
During the event, which was held via video conferencing, Modi addressed more than 1,300 student teams, highlighting the country’s growing pool of innovative youth and the importance of technology. He noted, “India’s strength lies in its innovative youth and technological power. The introduction of the National Education Policy aims to nurture a scientific mindset, and the government is removing roadblocks by implementing reforms to empower the youth.”
The Smart India Hackathon 2024, now in its seventh edition, kicked off at 51 nodal centers across the country on Wednesday. The Software Edition will run continuously for 36 hours, while the Hardware Edition will extend from December 11 to December 15.
As in previous editions, participating student teams will work on problem statements provided by ministries, departments, industries, or submit their own ideas under the Student Innovation category. These ideas will align with 17 key sectors, including healthcare, supply chain and logistics, smart technologies, sustainability, education, agriculture, emerging technologies, and disaster management.
This year, more than 250 problem statements have been submitted by 54 ministries, state governments, PSUs, and industries. The event has seen a remarkable growth in participation, with a 150% increase in internal hackathons at the institute level, rising from 900 in SIH 2023 to over 2,247 in SIH 2024. A total of more than 86,000 teams participated at the institute level, with approximately 49,000 student teams recommended for the national level round.
The ongoing expansion of SIH reflects its growing importance as a platform for youth innovation, with the government continuing to support and encourage the development of solutions for national challenges.
