The event brought together student teams, industry leaders, and educators to highlight practical engineering, teamwork, and emerging trends in mobility.
22 Aug 2025 | 3050 Views | By Autocar Professional Bureau
Even after heavy showers, the Buddh International Circuit buzzed with more than engine noise. SUPRA SAEINDIA 2025 had returned, louder, and more ambitious than ever. This wasn’t just a student competition. For over 50 teams from engineering colleges across the country, it was a practical ground and a launchpad for ...
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Even after heavy showers, the Buddh International Circuit buzzed with more than engine noise. SUPRA SAEINDIA 2025 had returned, louder, and more ambitious than ever. This wasn’t just a student competition. For over 50 teams from engineering colleges across the country, it was a practical ground and a launchpad for those looking for great placements in the automotive industry.
“I want to work for Tesla and Formula One after I graduate from my college. The hands-on practice at SUPRA is like a gateway to my dream,” said Aakriti Singh, a student of the Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women. She was a part of the only girls team at the competition.
Of the 52 teams that took part, 22 combustion vehicles and two electric vehicles teams made it to the endurance run, the ultimate test of design, durability, and strategy. But the real story of SUPRA lay not in lap times or trophies, but in teamwork, long nights, setbacks, and breakthroughs.
Students spend six months, and in some cases over a year, building their own Formula One–style race car. In the process, they navigate differences of opinion, turn textbook knowledge into practical solutions, and develop a spirit of teamwork that no classroom can offer.
“Events like SUPRA transform students from individual learners into team contributors,” said Tarun Aggarwal, Head of Engineering and Development, Senior Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. “Building a car teaches them how each small role fits into a larger system. That’s something no classroom can replicate.”
Aggarwal also emphasized the industry’s shifting expectations. “Vehicles today are as much about electronics and software as they are about mechanics,” he added. “We need talent from diverse technical backgrounds. And colleges that support hands-on projects like this aren’t just helping students, they’re building their own reputation among employers.”
Most participants are 19 to 22 years old, carrying big hopes of winning. Each team has about 25 to 30 members, with everyone assigned a specific role. Their car goes through multiple tests, from technical inspections to dynamic trials, before the final endurance race on the last day. When the driver takes the track, the whole team crowds the stands, cheering loudly and creating the feel of a real racing event.
These are more than machines on track, these are dreams in motion. As the dust settled on the track, what emerged was a celebration not just of engineering excellence, but of personal growth and collaborative spirit. “The flawless execution of the event is a reflection of the dedication of both organizers and participants. I congratulate the teams for their spirited performance and encourage them to return with even greater enthusiasm, hard work, and innovation in the seasons ahead,” said Dr G. Nagarajan, President, SAEINDIA.
SUPRA SAEINDIA has long been known for pushing the boundaries of student engineering. This year’s edition not only saw a leap in vehicle quality and EV participation but also raised the bar in innovation and real-world application. This sentiment was echoed by other industry veterans who were present not just as guests, but as mentors and evaluators.
I.V Rao, Vice President, Exposition and Seminars at SAEINDIA, Fellow at TERI, and a former engineering head at Maruti Suzuki, reflected on the deeper value of the competition.
“SUPRA has always been more than just a contest,” he said. “It challenges students to innovate, collaborate, and push the boundaries of what they know. But we need to focus more on preparation, especially during testing and inspection, so that more teams qualify for the endurance run.”
Rao pointed out that SUPRA’s true strength lies in its ability to nurture innovation and prepare young engineers to lead the future of mobility. The emphasis on leadership, foresight, and innovation was clear, and it wasn’t just in the internal combustion category. The electric vehicle (EV) segment showed major growth this year.
While the competition was intense, so was the shift toward electric vehicles. Nine EV teams participated this year, a clear sign that future mobility is already in motion. A team like Veloce Racing Electric from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology gave its best.
Behind the scenes, a powerful ecosystem of sponsors and technical partners made it all possible, offering resources, tools, and platforms that gave students a real taste of industry practice.
For Anubhav Singla, Convener of SUPRA SAEINDIA 2025 and Senior General Manager at Maruti Suzuki, the event represented more than just engineering. “Platforms like SUPRA help students bridge the gap between academia and industry,” he explained. “They don’t just make students job-ready. They prepare them to lead transformation in mobility. When we hire young engineers, one of the most important things we look for is teamwork, not just individual brilliance.”
Team Maverick from PVG's College of Engineering & Technology (ICE category) and Veloce Racing Electric (EV category) from Vishwakarma Institute of Technology won the Overall competition winning Rs 200,000 each.
While prize money ranged from Rs 10,000 to Rs 200,000, most students would agree that the real reward was the journey: the technical challenges, the camaraderie, and the lessons they’ll carry into the next phase of their careers.
The event's success was powered by strong industry support. Maruti Suzuki returned as title sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing future-ready engineers. Other major partners included BPCL, Pioneer, TE Connectivity, Dassault Systèmes & EDS, KIET, ANSYS, Envision Energy, Lumax, UCAL, AVL, JK Fenner, MRF, Munjal Kiriu, RANE, Migatronics and ARUP.
“SUPRA isn’t the end of something,” said one student as he packed his tools, “It’s the start of everything we now believe we can do.” And with that, SUPRA SAEINDIA 2025 concluded—marking another chapter in student-led engineering and industry engagement.