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Summary:

IIT Madras is set to host Shaastra 2026, its annual student-managed technical festival, from January 2nd to 6th, 2026. The event, expected to attract over 80,000 visitors, will feature a wide array of competitions, exhibitions (including 130 IIT Madras innovation stalls), workshops, conferences, and shows, all under the theme “Artifacts of Arcade.” Key initiatives include “VidhyaVahak,” a program to equip rural teachers with modern teaching technologies, and “Hear4You,” an awareness campaign for hearing loss. This year’s Robowars competition will see international participation. Alongside Shaastra, IIT Madras will also host its open house and Saarang 2026, and launch the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, inaugurated by Minister S. Jaishankar. The festival will also feature lectures from prominent figures like Jeffrey Ullman, Subra Suresh and Vidita Vaidya.

News Article:

IIT Madras Gears Up for Shaastra 2026, Promises Innovation and Engagement

CHENNAI, December 26, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is preparing to host its highly anticipated annual technical festival, Shaastra 2026, from January 2nd to 6th, 2026. Organizers expect the five-day event to draw over 80,000 visitors to the campus, making it one of the largest technical festivals in India.

This year’s Shaastra boasts a packed schedule of over 80 events, including competitions, exhibitions, workshops, conferences, and captivating shows. A major highlight will be the 130 stalls showcasing the latest innovations from IIT Madras students and researchers. The festival’s theme, “Artifacts of Arcade,” aims to create an interactive and engaging experience, reimagining learning as a series of challenges and achievements within a game-like ecosystem.

“We want to make Shaastra a hands-on learning experience, blending the excitement of gaming with the depth of technical exploration,” said Mith R Jain, Student Co-Curricular Affairs Secretary, IIT Madras.

Shaastra 2026 will also feature two key initiatives. “VidhyaVahak” will empower 150 teachers from rural areas with cutting-edge educational technologies, including AI tools, to enhance their teaching methods. “Hear4You” is a public awareness campaign focused on the prevention and treatment of hearing loss, promoting inclusive communication strategies.

Adding an international flair, Robowars, Shaastra’s signature combat robotics competition, will welcome teams from Malaysia, Brazil, and Russia.

“The first two weeks of January 2026 will be filled with exciting events at IIT Madras,” said V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras. “In addition to Shaastra, we have our open house and Saarang 2026. We are also launching the IIT Madras Global Research Foundation, which will be inaugurated by Minister for External Affairs S. Jaishankar on January 2nd.”

Shaastra 2026 will also host spotlight lectures from renowned experts in their fields, including Turing Award winner Jeffrey Ullman, former Director of the US National Science Foundation Subra Suresh, and Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize-winning neuroscientist Vidita Vaidya.

Shaastra 2026 promises to be a dynamic and enriching experience for students, faculty, and visitors alike, further solidifying IIT Madras’s position as a leading institution for innovation and technological advancement.

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