The third edition of vivo Ignite: Technology and Innovation Initiative—which garnered over 37,000 registrations from 9,000+ schools across 660+ districts—concluded with a grand showcase of its Top 10 finalists, declared as the National Winners of 2025 at a special ceremony held on June 15 in New Delhi.
The AI Powered Criminal Activity Detection through Sensor-less Sensing prototype by Prateek Sethi from Odisha won the first prize, taking home a scholarship worth INR 4 lakhs, for its innovative, cost-effective Wi-Fi-based system that detects suspicious activity without intrusive surveillance.
Taking top honors was Prateek Sethi from Odisha, whose project, AI-Powered Criminal Activity Detection through Sensor-less Sensing, won the first prize and a scholarship of ₹4 lakhs. The project presented an innovative, cost-effective, Wi-Fi-based system capable of detecting suspicious activities without relying on intrusive surveillance systems.
The 10 finalist projects, submitted by 19 students, demonstrated both scientific ingenuity and strong social impact. The Top 5 were named National Winners, while those ranked 6–10 were honored as National Finalists.
Spanning over seven months, vivo Ignite 2025 was executed in collaboration with CIET-NCERT, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and the UN Global Compact Network India. The initiative encouraged students from Grades 8–12 to submit over 5,600 ‘Tech for Good’ innovations, doubling participation from the previous edition.
A rigorous three-stage evaluation process—comprising regional shortlisting of the top 200 ideas, mentorship-driven prototype development, and a national finale—celebrated the creativity, innovation, and social commitment of India’s budding tech leaders.
Top 5 Winning Projects
- AI-Powered Criminal Activity Detection through Sensor-less Sensing – Prateek Sethi (Odisha)
A scalable, cost-effective surveillance system utilizing Wi-Fi sensing to distinguish between normal and suspicious behavior in real-time, ideal for enhancing safety in public spaces, homes, and institutions. - ArmX – Smart Rehabilitation System for One-Hand Paralyzed Individuals – Devarsh Patel, Veer Manvar & Kavan Patel
A sensor-equipped glove and robotic arm setup designed to replicate hand movement for one-hand paralyzed users, enabling non-invasive movement therapy and improving strength, mobility, and neuroplasticity. - Green Run for Green Souls (From Wind to Wheels) – Safin Mallick, Sirsa Naskar & Agamani Pandey
A sustainable EV charging solution powered by vertical-axis wind turbines (VAWTs), offering a viable model for renewable energy integration along India’s growing highway network. - Arduino-Based LPG Gas Leakage Detection and Prevention System – Kushaal Abhay, Vamshikha K S & Dhriti Kannan
An easy-to-install safety system that detects and prevents LPG leaks, emphasizing quick emergency response and disaster mitigation, especially in vulnerable areas. - Trevive: A Device to Monitor Real-Time Health of Trees – Abeer Gosain
A low-cost, scalable solution for monitoring tree health in urban and rural areas via a mobile app—ideal for municipalities, conservation groups, and schools.
Scholarship Awards
- ArmX – ₹6 lakhs
- Green Run for Green Souls – ₹4.5 lakhs
- Arduino-Based LPG Detection System – ₹3 lakhs
- Trevive – ₹75,000
- National Finalists (Ranks 6–10) – ₹25,000 each per student
Evaluation and Ceremony
A distinguished jury comprising leading academicians and industry experts from partner institutions evaluated the projects on parameters including creativity, scientific merit, feasibility, cost-effectiveness, and social impact.
The Grand Finale featured notable guests including:
- Indu Kumar, Head of ICT & Training, CIET-NCERT, and National Coordinator, DIKSHA
- Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UNGC Network India
- Rajendra Mootha, Head – Strategic Initiative, Pravartak Technologies Foundation, and Former COO, IIT Madras Innovation Park
- Mahabir Singh, Founder Director, Science Olympiad Foundation
The event was hosted by India’s renowned ‘Tech Guru’ Rajiv Makhni, who added charisma and clarity by demystifying the complex innovations and celebrating student brilliance.
Geetaj Channana, Head of Corporate Strategy, vivo India, congratulated all participants, saying,“vivo Ignite stands as a testament to our belief that technology, when placed in the hands of young minds, can spark real and lasting impact. The remarkable participation and ingenuity we’ve witnessed this year reaffirm the untapped potential that exists across India’s schools. As vivo India’s flagship Technology and Innovation Initiative, vivo Ignite reflects our commitment to creating joyful, purpose-driven opportunities for students to explore, innovate, and solve real-world challenges. We are dedicated to expanding this platform further—to reach every corner of the country and empower the next generation of changemakers.”
vivo India also felicitated beneficiaries of its flagship initiative, vivo KanyaGyaan—dedicated to empowering women in STEM by breaking financial and societal barriers for young women from underserved communities. The initiative provides scholarships, mentorship, skill-building workshops, and industry exposure to support their academic and professional journeys. To date, it has empowered over 175 scholars—60% from families with annual incomes below ₹1 lakh and 15% raised by single parents, helping many become first-generation graduates and gain admission to premier institutions. vivo KanyaGyaan not only imparts critical STEM skills, but also builds confidence, resilience, and ambition among its participants.
