BAJA SAEINDIA 2025 virtual round begins at Chandigarh

This year's competition is structured into three progressively challenging phases. The Virtual Round, hosted by Chitkara University, includes static events such as sales, cost, and design evaluations, alongside sustainability and engine simulation events. It also features virtual dynamic events utilizing the IPG Carmaker software, providing a holistic assessment framework for participating teams.

This season builds on pivotal advancements made in 2024 with the introduction of two categories: hBAJA and aBAJA. The hBAJA category, which debuted with three teams running their vehicles on compressed natural gas (CNG), has grown significantly, with 20 teams now registered for the 2025 edition, focusing on hydrogen-compressed natural gas (HCNG) mobility.

Similarly, aBAJA, focusing on autonomous vehicle development and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), has expanded from five teams last year to 20 teams this year. These developments highlight the competition’s commitment to aligning with the future of mobility and equipping students with skills to address real-world challenges.

The Virtual Round was inaugurated with a press conference at Chitkara University. Balraj Subramaniam, chairman of the organizing committee for BAJA SAEINDIA, highlighted the competition's evolution over 18 years as a dynamic platform that fosters innovation and excellence in engineering. He praised the exceptional participation and the event’s ability to prepare students for leadership roles in the automotive and non-automotive industries worldwide.

Dr. Madhu Chitkara, pro-chancellor of Chitkara University, underscored the fruitful partnership between the university and BAJA SAEINDIA since 2015. She emphasized the shared commitment to bridging the gap between academia and industry, fostering creativity, sustainability, and multidisciplinary collaboration to shape the future of India’s automotive landscape.

Long-standing supporter Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) was represented by Charu Yadav, General Manager, who spoke about the organization’s enduring partnership with BAJA SAEINDIA since 2007. BPCL has supported the event by providing fuel for various vehicle categories, including electric fuel for eBAJA vehicles.

The importance of virtual events in developing well-rounded engineers was highlighted by Ruturaj Patil, convener of the Virtual Round and a former BAJA SAEINDIA participant. He noted that events like cost and design evaluation, sustainability challenges, and engine simulations help students develop technical and operational expertise while gaining insight into business and sustainability aspects of vehicle design.

The competition’s third phase seeks to elevate the challenge, with events scheduled at three venues. mBAJA and hBAJA will take place from January 9-12, 2025 at NATRAX in Pithampur, followed by eBAJA at BV Raju Institute of Technology, Hyderabad, from 20th to 23rd February 2025.

The grand finale is tentatively set for mid-2025 at ARAI’s Takwe facility near Pune, where aBAJA will conclude the competition.

In India, BAJA SAEINDIA is being organized since 2007 as an engineering student-level competition in which teams from universities all over the country participate with a self-designed and self-run ATV. This is evaluated over a series of Static, Dynamic and Endurance events. Over the years, BAJA SAEINDIA has grown in numbers and has become a bigger event nationally and over the past years, expanded internationally as well. It serves as a platform for young engineering talent to showcase their skills and acquire real-life experience while overcoming obstacles and challenges critical for success.