IIT Madras to Host 26th Edition of Shaastra: India’s Premier Student-Run Tech Festival

Chennai, December 30, 2024 – The Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT Madras) is gearing up to host the 26th edition of its annual tech festival, Shaastra, from January 3 to 7, 2025. Known as one of the largest student-run tech festivals in India, Shaastra 2025 promises an exciting lineup of events, workshops, competitions, and exhibitions.

Event Highlights:

• 80 Events and 130 Stalls: The festival will feature a diverse range of events, including the Aerial Robotics Challenge, RoboSoccer, Algo Trading, and the Petri-dish Challenge. Participants will have the opportunity to showcase their skills in autonomous drone delivery, competitive robot soccer, algorithmic trading, and laboratory experiments.
• International Research Conference: For the first time in Shaastra’s history, a 3-day International Research Conference will be held, focusing on the integration of AI, Big Data Analytics, and Robotics in revolutionizing industries. The conference will explore themes such as “Smart Manufacturing” and “Future Cities”.
• Spotlight Lectures: Esteemed speakers, including renowned aerospace scientist Nambi Narayanan, former Permanent Representative of India to the UN Ruchira Kamboj, and mathematician Dr. Sujatha Ramadorai, will deliver lectures on various topics.
• Tech-Entertainment Night: The festival will also feature a Tech-Entertainment Night with performances by hip-hop artist Karan Kanchan and international DJ Camilla. Additionally, a Comedy Night with stand-up comedian Gurleen Pannu is scheduled.
• Sustainability Initiatives: Shaastra 2025 is committed to sustainability, with initiatives such as replacing plastic and vinyl banners with reusable cloth-based branding and implementing measures to reduce the carbon footprint.

Expected Footfall: With an expected footfall of over 70,000 participants, Shaastra 2025 aims to bring together students, tech enthusiasts, and industry professionals to celebrate science and technology.

Director’s Statement: Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, expressed his excitement about the festival, stating, “Shaastra serves as a dynamic platform for learning and innovation, bringing together over 50 workshops on several topics. It offers students and tech enthusiasts a unique chance to gain invaluable hands-on experience in cutting-edge domains.”

Co-Curricular Advisor’s Message: Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, Co-Curricular Advisor at IIT Madras, encouraged students and tech enthusiasts to participate in the events and immerse themselves in this futuristic tech festival.

Shaastra 2025 is set to be a grand celebration of technology and innovation, providing a platform for students to showcase their talents and for industry leaders to share their insights. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be part of India’s premier tech festival!