LPU Hosted 36-Hour Innovation Marathon, Engaged Over 2,600 Student Innovators for Smart India Hackathon 2025

Jalandhar; September 29, 2025: Demonstrating the immense creative potential of its students, the Department of Student Research at Lovely Professional University (LPU) hosted a 36-hour flagship innovation challenge, Gear Up Season 4: Gateway to Smart India Hackathon 2025. The event served as a dynamic platform to identify and nurture the next generation of problem-solvers and innovators.

This edition witnessed a record-breaking response, with 900 teams registering across disciplines. After a rigorous Idea Screening Phase, 450 teams comprising over 2,600 student innovators qualified for the Internal Hackathon. These teams immersed themselves in creating tangible solutions to some of the most pressing national challenges. Their projects spanned a wide spectrum of critical domains, from Agriculture & Rural Development and Healthcare to Clean Technology, Smart Automation, Renewable Energy, and the Future of Education.

Dr. Jaspal Singh Sandhu, Vice-Chancellor of LPU, Dr. Loviraj Gupta, Pro Vice-Chancellor of LPU, and Dr. Manish Grover, Business Mentor, graced the event and encouraged students to pursue innovation with purpose and national responsibility. Dr. Loviraj Gupta, Pro Vice-Chancellor of LPU, stated, “These platforms cultivate innovators who actively shape policy, sustainability, and digital advancement rather than merely observing the change around them. At LPU, the vision is to create avenues where students engage with real-world challenges, think beyond conventional academics, and contribute meaningfully to national progress.”

Following a demanding evaluation of the prototypes and presentations, 100 top-performing students have been selected for screening for the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) Grand Finale. They will now carry the LPU banner at the national platform, where they will address complex problem statements posed by government ministries, industries, and NGOs.

This event not only served as a gateway to the national hackathon but also reiterated LPU’s sustained obligation to nurturing research, entrepreneurship, and future-focused leadership. With a strong innovation ecosystem, the university continues to cultivate meaningful collaborations with stakeholders in academia, industry, and governance. Rather than seeking associations, LPU consistently emerges as a natural partner of choice, where ideas find direction, mentorship, and impact.