Junior Makeathon by Shaastra IIT Madras - India's Innovation Challenge for School Students
Cash Prize & Grants
Junior Makeathon by Shaastra IIT Madras - India's Innovation Challenge for School Students is a competition by Shaastra, IIT Madras for students in Class 6–12, open to students across India. It is free to take part.
Mode
Hybrid
Eligibility
Class 6–12
Fee
Free
Duration
Multi-round event, typically spanning several weeks for online submissions and a 3-day offline grand finale.
Format
Team · Teams of 3
Time needed
Moderate time commitment for preliminary online rounds (ideation and proposal submission). Significant time commitment (approximately 3-5 hours daily) is required for prototype development and preparation during the final offline round.
About This Opportunity
The Junior Make-a-thon (JMT) is a flagship event of Shaastra, the annual technical festival of IIT Madras, meticulously designed to cultivate a strong maker culture and ignite the spirit of innovation among school students across India. This prestigious competition empowers young minds to identify pressing real-world problems and engineer feasible, efficient, and impactful solutions by applying principles of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Participants gain invaluable practical skills through hands-on activities, transforming their imaginative ideas into tangible, working prototypes.
JMT places a strong emphasis on developing critical thinking, advanced problem-solving abilities, and collaborative teamwork. The competition is structured in multiple rigorous rounds, typically commencing with online submissions of innovative ideas and detailed proposals based on predefined problem statements.
Shortlisted teams receive dedicated mentorship from IIT Madras faculty and industry experts, along with participation in specialized workshops to refine their concepts and construct robust prototypes. The grand finale is a highlight, hosted at the iconic IIT Madras campus, where finalists present their groundbreaking innovations to a distinguished panel of judges comprising leading figures from industry and academia.
JMT's core mission is to inspire and nurture future entrepreneurs and innovators, providing them with a unique and unparalleled platform to explore their full potential and collaborate with like-minded peers from across the nation. The event also aims to introduce students to the entrepreneurial journey, encouraging them to think about the real-world applicability and impact of their solutions.
Eligibility
- Grade Level
- Class 6–12
- Age Range
- 11 - 18 years
- Location
- Nationwide
Academic requirement
Open to all school students currently enrolled in Grades 6 to 12 in India.
Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of scientific and mathematical principles.
- A keen interest in technology, innovation, and problem-solving.
- Ability to collaborate effectively in a team environment.
Additional requirements
- Participants can register in teams of 3 members
- Cross-school teams are generally not allowed; participants must be from the same school
The Junior Makeathon is open to all school students in Grades 6 to 12 across India. Students can participate in teams of 3 members, provided all team members are from the same school. The competition is divided into two categories: Juniors for Grades 6-8 and Seniors for Grades 9-12.
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Academic Details
Difficulty: Intermediate
What's covered
The competition is centered around real-world problem statements, encouraging participants to develop interdisciplinary solutions. Comprehensive workshops and dedicated mentorship sessions provide guidance on design thinking, effective prototyping techniques, and the use of various technical tools and software. The curriculum is hands-on and project-based, fostering practical application of knowledge.
Rewards & Recognition
Award
₹60,000
Attractive cash prizes for winners and top-performing teams, with previous editions offering up to ₹60,000. Promising solutions may also receive potential grants or incubation support for further development.
Prizes
Medals & Trophies
Winners and finalists will receive prestigious medals and trophies.
Certificate
Certificate from IIT Madras
All finalists, including winners, will receive printed certificates from Shaastra, IIT Madras. All participants who successfully complete the submission or immersion and ideation phases will receive a digital certificate of participation.
Opens doors to
Provides a significant advantage in applications to top engineering and science institutions like IITs and NITs, demonstrating practical skills, innovation, and problem-solving abilities. Offers exposure to the IIT Madras campus environment and faculty, which can be beneficial for future academic pursuits.
Recognition
National Recognition by IIT Madras
Skills your child builds
Highlights
- Opportunity to showcase innovations at IIT Madras campus.
- Mentorship from IIT Madras faculty and industry experts.
- Focus on solving real-world problems with tangible solutions.
- Free registration, making it accessible to a wider audience.
Rounds & format
Round 1 (Prelims): Online submission of abstract and scientific proposal based on selected problem statements. Round 2 (Semifinals): 6 regional semi-finals: Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Raipur, Mumbai. Top 3 teams per category per region = 18 teams each in Junior and Senior categories advance to finals. Round 3 (Finals): Top shortlisted teams are invited to the IIT Madras campus for a 3-day event involving mentorship, workshops, prototype building, and final presentations to a judging panel.
How entries are judged
Submissions are evaluated based on feasibility, efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, and the quality of the prototype. Emphasis is also placed on understanding the problem and validating solutions with real users.
Selection process
Teams are shortlisted based on the quality and innovation of their ideas submitted in the preliminary round. The top teams proceed to the final prototyping round.
How to apply
- 1Online registration on the official JMT website (jmt.shaastra.org).
- 2Submission of an abstract and a detailed scientific proposal based on selected problem statements for Round 1 (preliminary online submission).
- 3Shortlisted teams will be notified and invited to the IIT Madras campus for the final round, which involves intensive prototype development and a final presentation.
How to prepare
- Workshops and mentorship sessions provided by Shaastra IIT Madras
- Guidance on design thinking and prototyping
Fees & financial support
Financial support
No specific scholarships are offered for participation, as the event itself is free. However, winning teams may receive monetary prizes and potential grants for project development.
Frequently asked questions
Is Junior Makeathon by Shaastra IIT Madras - India's Innovation Challenge for School Students free?
This opportunity is free to participate in.
Who can participate in Junior Makeathon by Shaastra IIT Madras - India's Innovation Challenge for School Students?
Students in Class 6–12. children aged 11-18.
What will my child gain from Junior Makeathon by Shaastra IIT Madras - India's Innovation Challenge for School Students?
Attractive cash prizes for winners and top-performing teams.. Medals and trophies for winners and finalists.. Potential grants or incubation support for promising solutions to further develop their innovations.. Opportunity to solve real-world problems creatively.. Hands-on experience in building prototypes.. Showcase innovative solutions on a grand stage at the prestigious IIT Madras campus.. Mentorship and workshops from experts.. Prestigious certificates from Shaastra, IIT Madras.. Significant advantage in applications to top engineering and science institutions like IITs and NITs..
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