Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2026 Concludes with Winners Announced

The Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2026 concluded on October 27-28 in New Delhi, where six university finalists presented satellite-based solutions to various global problems. Organized by Viasat in partnership with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe), the competition encourages young innovators to develop technologies that serve the public good. Projects on display focused on disaster management, agricultural monitoring, and space debris prevention, with students vying for a prize pool of Rs 11.5 lakh. The initiative reflects a growing effort to use space technology for social impact and creative problem-solving.

Each finalist was selected through a multi-stage process that prioritized the feasibility and potential impact of their work. The jury evaluated the proposals based on how effectively satellite connectivity could be used for practical applications. Tanatswa Manjeya, for instance, presented Aegis, a solar-powered communication hub for emergencies that allows users to send SOS messages when mobile networks fail. Another project, Bhu Kavach by Parth Bhagwat Kharat, focused on detecting building collapses. This system uses sensors to transmit GPS coordinates to response teams when a structure is in distress.

The innovations showcased during the challenge highlight how satellite technology can improve safety and efficiency in sectors like emergency response and farming. Other projects included MARK, which sends emergency alerts to communities without mobile coverage, and Chrono Sentinel, a system for monitoring agricultural health through satellite observations. Gautam Sharma, managing director of Viasat India, spoke about the value of mentorship in helping students innovate, stating that the program brings together various stakeholders to tackle global issues.

Adeetya Uppal emerged as the winner, followed by Shashank Kumar Singh and Aryan Gupta in second and third places, respectively. Beyond the recognition, the finalists were given mentorship to help them further develop their ideas. The challenge illustrates how space technology can be applied to pressing global needs, highlighting the role of student innovation in paving the way for future advancements in the field.