The much-anticipated BAJA SAEINDIA 2026 – mBAJA category, powered by Speed – the High-Performance Petrol by Bharat Petroleum, rolled into action from February 25 at B. V. Raju Institute of Technology (BVRIT), Narsapur, Hyderabad. Hosted by BAJA SAEINDIA in association with BVRIT, the national-level student engineering competition, having over 1600 Students from 51 Engineering Colleges from all over India participating, serves as a dynamic out-of-classroom learning platform. It provides budding engineers with invaluable hands-on exposure to real-world industrial challenges by engaging them in the complete lifecycle of building an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
Over the three-day event, student teams from premier engineering institutions across India will demonstrate excellence in conceptualizing, designing, analysing, fabricating, validating, and racing their ATVs. The competition rigorously evaluates participants through a series of Static, Dynamic, and Endurance events, culminating in a gruelling four-hour durability run that tests both machine and team resilience.
Originally launched in the United States by SAE International as Mini BAJA SAE, the competition has evolved into a globally recognized engineering challenge. In India, BAJA SAEINDIA was introduced in 2007 with just 27 teams competing in a single internal combustion (IC) engine category. Today, it has expanded into a multi-category mobility innovation platform featuring over 200 teams nationwide.
The competition now spans multiple categories — mBAJA (internal combustion engine), eBAJA (electric), hBAJA (hydrogen/CNG), and aBAJA (autonomous) — reflecting the evolving landscape of sustainable and intelligent mobility solutions.
As engines rev and innovation takes center stage, BAJA SAEINDIA 2026 promises to once again showcase the ingenuity, determination, and engineering excellence of India’s next generation of mobility leaders.
Speaking on the occasion Balraj Subramaniam; highlighted the growth of BAJA SAEINDIA as a national platform for experiential learning and emphasized how the competition continues to strengthen industry–academia collaboration while preparing students to address future mobility challenges through hands-on engineering practice.
Addressing the theme of diversity and inclusivity within the competition, Lalitha Patra, Co-Convener, mBAJA 2026; spoke about BAJA SAEINDIA’s efforts to encourage broader student participation across disciplines and backgrounds. She emphasized that the platform not only tests technical skills but also promotes collaboration, leadership, and inclusive learning environments.
Ali Syed, Convener, mBAJA 2026; spoke about the HR Meet initiative and its significance in connecting students with industry opportunities. He explained that the HR Meet provides a structured interface for recruiters to interact with competition participants, enabling companies to identify skilled and competition-tested candidates while giving students exposure to career pathways in the automotive sector.
