Shillong, December 09: The Smart India Hackathon (SIH) 2025 Grand Finale witnessed an inspiring moment on December 8, 2025, as Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, Union Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), connected live with student innovators across all 60 nodal centres in the country. His interaction brought an atmosphere of encouragement, motivation, and national integration to one of India’s largest innovation-driven events.
Speaking directly to thousands of young participants, Dr. Majumdar applauded their passion for problem-solving and their commitment to contributing toward a technologically empowered Viksit Bharat. He emphasized that SIH is not just a competition but a national movement that nurtures creativity, strengthens critical thinking, and gives students a real-world platform to develop solutions for challenges faced by ministries, industries, and citizens.
During the live address, the Minister highlighted the transformative potential of youth-led innovation, particularly from institutions in the North Eastern Region. He expressed pride in the region’s growing technological ecosystem and reiterated the Government of India’s commitment to supporting young innovators through initiatives of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
Students from across the nodal centres enthusiastically shared their ideas, prototypes, and progress updates with the Minister. Teams working on cutting-edge technologies—ranging from AI-driven safety systems and digital governance tools to sustainable solutions and advanced mobility concepts—expressed how SIH has shaped their confidence and technical abilities. Dr. Majumdar encouraged them to continue refining their solutions and to pursue entrepreneurship, research, and innovation as long-term goals.
The Minister’s interaction served as a significant morale booster for participants, reaffirming the central role of youth in building India’s innovation landscape. His message underscored the Government’s vision of empowering students, promoting digital innovation, and fostering a problem-solving culture that aligns with the aspirations of Viksit Bharat 2047.
The Smart India Hackathon 2025, a flagship initiative of the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell, continues to bring together the brightest minds from across India to tackle critical problem statements through teamwork, creativity, and technology-driven thinking. With the live engagement of leaders like Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, the event reinforces its mission of inspiring young innovators to transform challenges into opportunities for national growth.
A major highlight of the Grand Finale was the inspirational video message from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who addressed the participants nationwide. In his message, the Prime Minister praised the students for their dedication and resilience, calling them the “torchbearers of India’s innovation ecosystem.” He emphasized that SIH is not just a competition but a platform for young minds to engage with real challenges faced by India and contribute pragmatic, scalable, and futuristic solutions.
The Prime Minister highlighted how past editions of SIH have resulted in several student innovations being adopted by government departments and industries. He encouraged students to continue thinking fearlessly and innovating boldly. “Each idea you develop today has the potential to become tomorrow’s breakthrough technology or impactful startup. Let your imagination be limitless and your innovation be purposeful,” PM Modi said in his address.
