IIT Madras Set to Host Shaastra 2026 from January 2-6

The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) will organize its annual technical festival, Shaastra 2026, from January 2 to 6, 2026, on its campus in Chennai. This festival, renowned as one of Asia’s largest student-run technical events, is projected to attract over 80,000 visitors throughout its five-day duration.

Shaastra 2026 will showcase a diverse array of activities, featuring 80 events and 130 innovation stalls that will highlight research and technologies developed by IIT Madras. Attendees can look forward to numerous competitions, exhibitions, workshops, and conferences, all of which are meticulously managed by over 750 student volunteers.

Innovative Themes and First-Time Events

Now in its 27th edition, Shaastra has evolved into a leading platform for science, technology, and innovation since its inception in 2000. The theme for this year’s festival, “Artifacts of Arcade,” aims to create an interactive, game-inspired atmosphere where each event represents a new level of learning and engagement.

Among the new initiatives, the festival will introduce several first-of-their-kind events. These include Robo GP, a high-speed nitro-fuelled robotic racing competition; BioBattle, which focuses on healthcare solutions driven by biomimicry; and NeuroHack, the first brain-computer interface hackathon at IIT Madras utilizing real EEG data. Other notable events are E-Contest, a coding challenge based on unique programming languages, and Quantified Dilemma, merging game theory with psychology and strategy.

The festival will also feature an Educators Conclave under the VidhyaVahak programme. This initiative will provide educators with masterclasses and networking opportunities aimed at fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing.

Emphasizing Social Impact and Outreach

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, emphasized that Shaastra aligns with the institute’s motto of “IITM for All,” by bringing technological innovations to the public. He noted the inclusion of several core technology hackathons this year, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to practical learning.

From the student perspective, Mr. Mith R Jain, Co-Curricular Affairs Secretary at IIT Madras, highlighted that Shaastra celebrates STEM innovation while expanding public access through the Institute Open House. This initiative will allow visitors to explore IIT Madras labs and innovation centres for three days.

Prof. Satyanarayana N. Gummadi, Dean of Students at IIT Madras, noted that the Shaastra Summit will focus on significant themes including the Digital Governance Summit and ICON26, which will address pressing issues in governance and technology.

Continuing its outreach, Shaastra 2026 will promote hearing health through the Hear4You campaign, which aims to raise awareness about hearing loss and accessibility. A notable public event under this initiative is the Hear4You 5K Run, scheduled for December 28, 2025, designed as an inclusive, non-competitive event.

The festival will also host major academic platforms such as ICON26, an international conference connecting academia with industry in the realm of smart manufacturing, alongside the Digital Governance Summit, which will focus on citizen-centric, open-source digital solutions.

Shaastra 2026 will feature Spotlight Lectures from prominent leaders, including Dr. S Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India; Prof. Jeffrey Ullman, Turing Award laureate; and Dr. Vidita Vaidya, a neuroscientist recognized with the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.

Evenings during the festival will integrate technology with entertainment, including a Tech-Entertainment Night with electronic music duo Lost Stories and a Comedy Night featuring stand-up comedian Pranav Sharma.

Through its expansive programme and nationwide participation, Shaastra 2026 reaffirms IIT Madras’ role in nurturing future-ready talent and advancing technology-driven solutions. The festival promises to strengthen the connection between science, society, and policy, ensuring a meaningful impact on the community at large.