BAJA SAEINDIA 2026 Launches 19th Edition with Electric and Hydrogen Categories at NATRAX

The 19th edition of BAJA SAEINDIA commenced on January 7, 2026, with the Physical Round of eBAJA and hBAJA competitions at the NATRAX facility in Madhya Pradesh. The event, themed "Torque to Triumph," will run through January 11, followed by a recruitment meet in Indore.

A total of 90 electric BAJA (eBAJA) teams and 21 hydrogen BAJA (hBAJA) teams qualified for the Physical Round after completing a Virtual Round in July 2025, which included design presentations and an online quiz. The competition tests student-built all-terrain vehicles through static evaluations covering design, cost analysis, manufacturing, and sustainability, as well as dynamic events including acceleration tests, suspension trials, and a four-hour endurance race.

This year's competition features significant technical updates. The eBAJA category has upgraded to a 72-volt tractive system, while hBAJA vehicles now use an 18 percent hydrogen blend, up from 5 percent in previous years. The hBAJA category has also adopted the Greaves G395WVI lightweight aluminum engine.

S. Balraj, Chairman of the BAJA SAEINDIA Organising Committee, noted the program's growth from 17 teams at its 2007 inception to four distinct vehicle categories today, including the recently introduced autonomous BAJA (aBAJA). The competition has expanded to include teams from more than 20 states across India.

Dr. Manish Jaiswal, Director of NATRAX, announced two new contests for participants: virtual validation through simulation and instrumented testing, and a 3D printing challenge. NATRAX has hosted the competition since its founding year.

Women comprise approximately 21 percent of participants this year, according to Supriya Kawade, Convener of hBAJA SAEINDIA 2026 and Diversity Ambassador for the event.

The competition includes the Dronacharya Award for outstanding faculty advisors. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited continues as title sponsor, a role it has held since 2007.

An HR Meet scheduled for January 12-13 at Acropolis Institute of Technology and Research in Indore will connect participating students with automotive industry recruiters for internship and employment opportunities.

BAJA SAEINDIA operates under SAE India and challenges engineering students to design, build, and test off-road vehicles. The competition now includes four categories: mBAJA (internal combustion engine), eBAJA (electric), hBAJA (hydrogen-CNG hybrid), and aBAJA (autonomous).