mBAJA SAEINDIA 2026 Opens at BVRIT, Narsapur with 51 Teams

B V Raju Institute of Technology (BVRIT) in Narsapur hosted the inauguration of mBAJA SAEINDIA 2026 on February 25, 2026. The event, powered by Speed: High Performance Petrol from Bharat Petroleum, drew 51 participating teams for the IC engine-powered category of the competition. The 2026 theme, "Torque to Triumph," reflects the event's focus on converting engineering effort into measurable outcomes across technology, diversity, sustainability, and connectivity.

By the close of Day 1, 46 teams had completed their Sales presentations and 26 had finished Manufacturing Excellence presentations. Technical Inspection was reported to be underway, with teams progressing through the structured multi-round evaluation format that defines the competition.

The inauguration was attended by dignitaries from academia, industry, and regional automotive bodies. The event's chief guest, Prof. T. Kishen Kumar Reddy, Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University Hyderabad, said that competitions like mBAJA SAEINDIA allow academic institutions to go beyond classroom instruction. He noted that by working within constraints of safety, cost, manufacturability, and timelines, students develop both technical competence and professional readiness.

Mr. Balraj Subramaniam, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, opened the ceremony by marking a significant growth milestone. Participation has risen from 27 teams when the competition launched in 2007 to over 110 teams across all categories in the current season — a figure he said reflects the event's sustained commitment to sustainable mobility and applied engineering education.

Hosting responsibilities this year fall to Sri Vishnu Educational Society, under whose aegis BVRIT operates. Mr. Aditya Vissam, Secretary of the Society, said the institution views the event as an opportunity to provide students with a platform to test their concepts, build teamwork, and engage with industry. Dr. Murali Krishna, Joint Convener of mBAJA 2026 and Professor and Dean at BVRIT, added that the collaboration between the institute and BAJA SAEINDIA reflects a shared approach to outcome-based, hands-on education.

Dr. K. C. Vora, Senior Advisor to BAJA SAEINDIA and Director of NAMTECH, drew a parallel between the two organisations, describing them as sharing the same foundation of experiential learning. He said the platform has consistently evolved in line with shifts in the mobility sector, deepening its technical content and broadening industry exposure for participants over the years.

The ceremony also underscored the competition's regional scope. Mr. Govinda Bhattarai, Executive Director of the Nepal Automobiles Association, attended as a guest, describing mBAJA SAEINDIA as a platform that brings together engineering talent and industry professionals across national borders and contributes to strengthening the wider automotive ecosystem in the region.

Industry partners JK Tyre & Industries Ltd and MathWorks were represented at the event, with both companies emphasising the importance of simulation-led design processes, sustainable mobility solutions, and exposure to real-world engineering constraints as core competencies for students entering the profession.

BAJA SAEINDIA is organised under SAEINDIA, the Indian affiliate of SAE International, a global association for mobility engineering professionals. Since its inception in 2007, the programme has grown into four distinct competition categories: mBAJA (IC engine-powered), eBAJA (electric), hBAJA (hydrogen-CNG hybrid), and aBAJA (autonomous ATV). Across all categories, student teams are required to conceptualise, design, fabricate, and test all-terrain vehicles, with evaluation structured around design reports, cost analysis, sales presentations, manufacturing quality, and dynamic performance events. The programme counts among its alumni many professionals who now work across the automotive and mobility industries globally.