Team Piranha Racing from Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University, Pune, claimed the overall winner's title at mBAJA SAEINDIA 2026, held at B. V. Raju Institute of Technology (BVRIT) in Narsapur. Team Euros Racing from KLE Technological University finished as first runner-up, while DYPCET Vectors from D. Y. Patil College of Engineering and Technology, Kolhapur, took second runner-up honours.
The competition, organised by SAEINDIA under the theme "Torque to Triumph," required student teams to design, fabricate, and test All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) capable of performing in off-road conditions. More than 50 mBAJA teams participated this year.
Events were structured across static and dynamic phases. Static evaluations covered design, cost, sustainability, and sales presentations, while dynamic events included Acceleration, Sled Pull, Maneuverability, and Suspension & Traction. The Endurance event — the most demanding phase — tested vehicle durability over an extended off-road course.
A notable addition this year was the Honda GX430 engine, introduced uniformly across all mBAJA teams. Supplied at a subsidised rate by Honda India Power Products Limited, the engine offers a 425 cc displacement, producing 12.87 HP at 3,600 rpm and 27.7 Nm of peak torque at 2,500 rpm.
The event also hosted an industry engagement session, the HR Meet, where organisations including J K Tyre & Industries Limited, TVS Motor Company, and Varroc met with students. Participants took the BAJA Assessment Test (BAT), with shortlisted candidates advancing to interviews and group discussions.
A panel discussion on experiential learning, titled "Out of Classroom Education: Experiential Learning Pedagogy," was held alongside the competition. It was moderated by Dr. K. C. Vora, Director of NAMTECH, and included academics from IIT Hyderabad, IIT Tirupati, and Kathmandu University, along with industry representatives from Gravton Motors and TVS Motor Company.
The valedictory ceremony was attended by Mahesh Babu, Managing Director of Olectra Greentech, as Chief Guest, along with Dr. G. Nagarajan, President of SAEINDIA, and other officials. Results were announced by Dr. K. C. Vora, Senior Advisor to BAJA SAEINDIA.
The event received fuel support from Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), which provided MFA Speed High Performance Petrol (95+ octane) and High-Speed Diesel. MathWorks and J K Tyre & Industries Limited were among the other sponsors.
BAJA SAEINDIA was established in 2007 and has since expanded into four categories: mBAJA (IC engine), eBAJA (electric), hBAJA (hydrogen-CNG hybrid), and aBAJA (autonomous). The 2026 edition was hosted under the aegis of Sri Vishnu Educational Society.