Maruti Suzuki India Limited announced the launch of the second edition of its national design competition, DesignXathon 2026, on May 11. The initiative invites students from Indian and global design institutes located in India to submit concepts for future mobility solutions.

The theme for the 2026 edition requires participants to envision a vehicle that customers from the Gen Z and Alpha generations would aspire to own by the year 2036. Submissions will be assessed based on their holistic design vision, relevance to the target demographic's lifestyle, and the integration of sustainability and technology within the concept. The evaluation period for these futuristic vehicle designs is targeted at the 2035 to 2040 timeframe.

The competition offers a total cash prize pool of up to Rs 4.5 lakh. The top three winning teams will be awarded a six month internship with the Maruti Suzuki design team to gain hands-on industry experience. Teams ranked from fourth to tenth will receive formal recognition and the opportunity to apply for similar internships in a professional automotive studio environment.

Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director and CEO of Maruti Suzuki India, stated that the challenge provides a platform for young designers to translate creative ideas into practical concepts while contributing to a stronger design ecosystem in India. The inaugural edition of the competition in 2025 saw participation from over 400 students across 70 design institutes. The deadline for submitting applications for the current edition is July 13, 2026.