Hyderabad: As AI and robotics reshape industries across India, a critical truth has emerged: technical skills alone won’t define tomorrow’s leaders. What matters is the ability to think computationally, experiment fearlessly, collaborate and solve problems that don’t yet have obvious answers.
This week, 300+ of India’s most promising young roboticists proved they understand this.
The three-day WRO India National Championship 2026 concluded at GMR Arena, Hyderabad, bringing together exceptional talent across Future Innovators, RoboMission, RoboSports and Future Engineers categories. Eight national champion teams have qualified to represent India at the global WRO Championship 2026 in Puerto Rico.
Beyond the Code
What impressed the jury wasn’t just technical execution—it was curiosity, imagination and persistence. Students demonstrated the human qualities that turn innovation from possible to purposeful.
“Future-ready talent is not created by technology alone,” said Sudhanshu Sharma, Founder, India STEM Foundation. “It is created when young people are given the freedom to build, experiment, fail, rethink and solve.”
Director General of NCSM, Shri K. S. Murali, added: “What stood out was not only technical ability, but the curiosity and persistence with which students approached complex problems.”
National Champions Heading to Puerto Rico
Future Innovators:
Team Punaruttham (Elementary, Delhi-NCR)
Team SkyWalkers (Junior, Bengaluru)
Team UWR CNRGY (Senior, Kochi)
RoboMission:
Team Curiosity (Elementary, Bengaluru)
Team Command Z (Junior, Ahmedabad)
Team Robotitans (Senior, Bengaluru)
RoboSports:
Team 2EZ (Mumbai)
Future Engineers:
Team Glitch (Mumbai)
All eight teams qualify for the International WRO Championship 2026 in Puerto Rico.
Learning Through Real Problems
WRO India creates space for authentic problem-solving. Through robotics, students apply mathematics, science, engineering and coding to tangible challenges while building creativity, confidence, collaboration and resilience. They learn that failure isn’t a setback—it’s a redesign opportunity.
For schools and parents, the championship demonstrates how experiential STEM learning complements classroom education and opens pathways into engineering, AI, robotics and entrepreneurship.
Scaling Impact
The India STEM Foundation has engaged 5.3 lakh students and teachers, partnered with 2,000+ schools and delivered 6.3 million+ hours of STEM education. The National Council of Science Museums strengthens this reach through its nationwide network of science centres and innovation hubs.
“We are proud to provide a platform where young innovators can showcase their talent and contribute to India’s growing innovation landscape,” said Aman Kapoor, CEO, Airport Land Development-GMR, venue partner and gold sponsor.
*The WRO India National Championship is organised jointly by India STEM Foundation and the National Council of Science Museums, with support of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.