Taking a major step in this direction, the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety, or CoERS, at IIT Madras organised its first-ever international hackathon on 16 July 2026. Titled the BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026, the event brought together students, engineers, researchers and innovators from India and other BIMSTEC member nations under the theme “AI in Road Safety.”

The initiative demonstrated how artificial intelligence can support regional cooperation and help create safer roads for millions of people.

A Historic International Initiative by IIT Madras

The BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026 marked an important milestone for CoERS, as it was the centre’s first international hackathon.

The hackathon was designed with an ambitious goal: to become one of the largest innovation platforms for road safety in the Global South. It also highlighted the potential of AI to act as a shared technological language through which countries can exchange knowledge, develop scalable solutions and address public safety challenges collectively.

Why Road Safety Requires Regional Collaboration

The BIMSTEC region is home to nearly 1.8 billion people and reportedly records around 200,000 road fatalities every year. These figures underline the scale of the crisis and the urgent need for coordinated action.

Road safety challenges often differ from one location to another. However, many of the underlying problems are common across countries. These include limited awareness of traffic laws, poor road infrastructure, delayed emergency response, weak accountability systems and a lack of accessible information.

National initiatives remain essential, but isolated programmes may not be enough to address challenges of this magnitude. Technology-based solutions can be adapted to different languages, legal systems and local conditions, making them especially valuable for regional implementation.

The BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon was built around this idea. It encouraged participants to create solutions that were innovative but also practical, scalable and responsive to the needs of ordinary road users.

Supported by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

The hackathon was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Government of India.

The initiative followed an announcement made by CoERS during the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi. Its central objective was to bring together young problem-solvers and enable them to use AI for building tools that could prevent accidents, improve awareness and strengthen post-accident support.

Rather than focusing only on theoretical models, participants were asked to address real-world road safety concerns. This ensured that the proposed solutions had the potential to support citizens, government departments, emergency responders and road safety authorities.

Three Real-World Road Safety Challenges

Participants worked on three major problem statements: DriveLegal, RoadWatch and RoadSoS.

DriveLegal: Making Traffic Laws Easier to Understand

DriveLegal focused on creating an intelligent chatbot capable of providing location-specific information about traffic laws, violations and applicable fines.

Traffic regulations can vary between states, cities and countries. Many road users may also find official legal information difficult to locate or understand. An AI-powered chatbot could simplify this process by answering questions in an accessible and conversational format.

Some teams also introduced quizzes and interactive features to help users learn traffic rules. Such tools could make road safety education more engaging, particularly for young drivers and first-time licence applicants.

RoadWatch: Improving Infrastructure Accountability

RoadWatch challenged participants to build a civic platform through which citizens could report road infrastructure problems and track the action taken by responsible authorities.

Potholes, damaged signs, poor lighting, unsafe junctions and incomplete roadwork can significantly increase accident risks. However, citizens often do not know where to report these issues or whether their complaints have been addressed.

Solutions developed under RoadWatch focused on greater transparency. Some ideas included monitoring road budgets, tracking contractors and creating public records of reported infrastructure problems. Such systems could help authorities respond more effectively while improving accountability in road construction and maintenance.

RoadSoS: Strengthening Emergency Response

RoadSoS focused on location-based emergency assistance after road accidents.

Participants explored tools that could connect accident victims or bystanders with nearby trauma centres, ambulance services and rescue contacts. Some teams also used smartphone motion sensors to detect accidents, including situations where internet connectivity was unavailable.

Fast emergency response is crucial during the period immediately following an accident. Technology that automatically detects a crash, identifies the location and shares emergency information could reduce delays and potentially save lives.

Technology Designed Around Real User Needs

One of the strongest aspects of the hackathon was its focus on practical implementation.

The participants were not merely asked to demonstrate AI models. They were encouraged to understand how road users, public authorities and emergency workers would interact with the proposed tools.

The resulting ideas addressed several everyday challenges. AI chatbots could make legal information easier to understand. Smartphone sensors could help detect accidents. Civic reporting platforms could increase transparency, while location-based emergency systems could connect people with life-saving support.

These concepts showed that AI in road safety does not need to remain limited to advanced research laboratories. It can be used to develop simple, accessible and user-friendly tools with direct social impact.

IIT Madras Highlights Research for Social Impact

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, highlighted the institute’s belief that research must serve society. Road safety represents a clear example of how academic research, technological innovation and public policy can come together to address a major global problem.

CoERS follows an interdisciplinary approach to road safety. Its work combines technology, infrastructure planning, behavioural research and policy development.

Prof. Venkatesh Balasubramanian, Head of CoERS, stressed that road safety cannot be addressed through a single intervention. It requires a systems-based approach in which infrastructure, human behaviour, technology and policy work together.

He also referred to the centre’s DDHI programmes in India, which have demonstrated the value of localised and district-level road safety interventions.

Winners of the BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026

The top three positions were secured by teams from India.

Cipher won first place, Civics Forge secured second place and Tejas finished third. The winning teams shared a total prize pool of ₹1,00,000.

The winners may also receive opportunities to collaborate further with CoERS at IIT Madras, potentially helping promising prototypes move closer to real-world deployment.

International teams also received recognition. Road Legal from Thailand and Qreators from Nepal were specially appreciated for their innovative contributions.

A Model for AI-Powered Regional Cooperation

The BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026 was more than a technology competition. It demonstrated how educational institutions, governments and young innovators can work together to address a shared regional challenge.

By involving participants from multiple BIMSTEC nations, IIT Madras created opportunities for cross-border learning and knowledge exchange. The event also showed that some of the most meaningful applications of AI are those that improve everyday life, strengthen public systems and protect human lives.

As countries across the Global South continue to deal with increasing traffic, rapid urbanisation and growing mobility needs, initiatives such as this hackathon could play an important role in shaping safer transport systems.

The solutions developed during the event may still require testing, refinement and institutional support. However, the hackathon has already established an important foundation for future collaboration.

Through the BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon, IIT Madras and CoERS have shown how AI, youth innovation and regional cooperation can come together to create safer roads for millions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What was the BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026?

The BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon 2026 was an international innovation event organised by the Centre of Excellence for Road Safety at IIT Madras. Held on 16 July 2026, it invited participants to develop AI-based solutions for road safety challenges.

2. Which countries participated in the hackathon?

The event invited participants from India and other BIMSTEC countries, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

3. What were the main problem statements?

Participants worked on DriveLegal, an AI-based traffic law chatbot; RoadWatch, a platform for reporting road infrastructure problems; and RoadSoS, a location-based emergency response and accident-support system.

4. Who won the BIMSTEC AI Road Safety Hackathon?

Cipher secured first place, Civics Forge won second place and Tejas finished third. Road Legal from Thailand and Qreators from Nepal received special appreciation.

5. What was the prize money for the winning teams?

The top three teams shared a total prize pool of ₹1,00,000. They may also receive opportunities to collaborate with CoERS at IIT Madras.

Under Phase 2, every selected athlete will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹40,000 for one year. The programme aims to create a stable and professionally supported training environment for athletes preparing for national and international competitions, including major events such as the Asian Games and the Los Angeles Paralympic Games.

Applications for the second phase of the scholarship programme are open until 9 August 2026 through the official application portal.

Supporting 80 Para-Athletes Across Eight Sports

The IIT Madras-SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Programme will support athletes participating in eight Paralympic disciplines:

This gender-balanced approach can help improve access to professional training and financial resources for female para-athletes, who may otherwise face additional barriers while pursuing competitive sport.

₹40,000 Monthly Scholarship for One Year

Each selected athlete will receive ₹40,000 per month for a period of one year. The financial assistance is intended to help athletes meet expenses related to training, equipment, travel, recovery, nutrition and participation in competitions.

For athletes competing at the national and international levels, maintaining a consistent training schedule can be financially challenging. Many athletes must manage the cost of specialised equipment, coaching, physiotherapy, travel and accommodation while preparing for competitions.

A regular monthly scholarship can reduce this financial pressure and allow athletes to dedicate more time and attention to improving their performance.

However, the programme is not limited to financial assistance. Its integrated structure combines funding with sports science, nutrition and individualised guidance, creating a more comprehensive athlete-development model.

Who Can Apply for the Scholarship?

The scholarship is open to eligible Indian para-athletes who meet the programme’s selection requirements.

Applicants must:

• Be Indian citizens
• Be no more than 35 years of age
• Participate in one of the eight eligible Paralympic disciplines
• Have represented their state and/or India
• Have competed in recognised national or international events
• Fulfil the programme’s performance and documentation requirements

Candidates must submit the required supporting documents while completing the application process. Final selection will be based on the evaluation criteria established by IIT Madras and SBI Foundation.

Eligible athletes should carefully review the official guidelines before applying and ensure that their applications are submitted before the 9 August 2026 deadline.

Phase 1 Scholars Won 70 Medals

The expansion follows the strong performance of athletes selected during the programme’s first phase.

Phase 1 was launched in 2025 with 26 para-athletes. During national and international competitions, these athletes collectively won 70 medals, including:

• 32 gold medals
• 22 silver medals
• 16 bronze medals

The medal tally demonstrated that structured financial and scientific support can positively influence athlete preparation and performance.

The results also helped establish the scholarship as more than a financial support scheme. It developed into a structured performance platform through which para-athletes could access resources, expert assessments and long-term guidance.

With the number of beneficiaries increasing from 26 to 80, Phase 2 will give many more athletes an opportunity to train with greater stability and professional support.

Sports Science Support from Acrophase

A major strength of the scholarship programme is its focus on science-led athlete development.

Acrophase, the Centre of Excellence for Human Performance at IIT Madras, will conduct sports science-based performance assessments for selected athletes. These assessments will help identify each athlete’s strengths, physical requirements and areas that may need improvement.

The findings can be used to support more personalised training and performance strategies. Instead of following a single approach for every athlete, the programme can provide guidance based on individual needs, sporting disciplines and physical conditions.

This level of personalisation is particularly relevant for para-athletes because training requirements may vary depending on an athlete’s classification, mobility, event and competitive goals.

Sports science assessments can also help coaches and athletes make informed decisions regarding training intensity, recovery, movement efficiency and performance planning.

Personalised Sports Nutrition Guidance

Selected athletes will also receive sports nutrition guidance throughout the scholarship period.

Nutrition plays a critical role in athletic performance, recovery and injury prevention. However, nutritional requirements can differ depending on the athlete’s sport, training load, body composition and competition schedule.

Through personalised guidance, athletes can learn how to align their diets with training cycles and competition demands. They may also receive support related to hydration, recovery meals, energy requirements and competition-day nutrition.

Combining performance assessments with nutritional guidance gives athletes access to a more complete support system rather than treating training, diet and recovery as separate areas.

Commitment to Inclusion in Indian Sports

According to Prof. Mohanasankar Sivaprakasam, Head of Acrophase at IIT Madras, the scholarship reflects the institute’s commitment to inclusion and equity in Indian sports.

The initiative represents a long-term investment in the country’s para-sports ecosystem. By making sports science and performance expertise available to para-athletes, the programme seeks to ensure that professional support reaches athletes from different backgrounds and disciplines.

The partnership also demonstrates how academic institutions can contribute to sports development. IIT Madras is bringing its scientific and administrative capabilities to a programme designed to create measurable outcomes for athletes.

SBI Foundation’s Contribution

SBI Foundation is providing financial and institutional support for the scholarship initiative.

Swapan Dhar, Managing Director of SBI Foundation, said the expanded phase aims to strengthen India’s sporting ecosystem and assist athletes preparing for major international competitions.

The success of the first group of scholars encouraged the partners to extend the programme to a larger number of athletes. Phase 2 is expected to identify and support individuals who have demonstrated competitive potential but require consistent resources to advance their sporting careers.

The programme also highlights the role that corporate social responsibility initiatives can play in promoting inclusive sports development.

IIT Madras to Manage End-to-End Implementation

IIT Madras will manage the complete implementation of the scholarship programme. Its responsibilities will include:

• Managing the application platform
• Reviewing applications
• Evaluating candidates
• Coordinating the selection process
• Providing sports science assessments
• Facilitating nutrition guidance
• Supporting athletes throughout the scholarship period

End-to-end implementation can improve transparency and continuity by ensuring that athletes receive coordinated support from the application stage until the completion of the scholarship.

It also enables the programme administrators to monitor progress, address challenges and maintain direct engagement with selected athletes.

Strengthening India’s Para-Sports Talent Pipeline

The expansion of the IIT Madras and SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship Programme represents an important step towards building a stronger para-sports talent pipeline in India.

Financial support alone cannot guarantee sporting success. Athletes also require expert coaching, scientific assessments, proper nutrition, quality equipment and consistent opportunities to compete. By bringing several of these elements together, the scholarship creates a structured pathway for para-athletes seeking to perform at higher levels.

The programme may also encourage more aspiring athletes to consider para-sports as a sustainable professional career.

With 80 athletes receiving year-long financial and performance support, Phase 2 has the potential to contribute to India’s medal prospects at upcoming national and international competitions. More importantly, it can help create an inclusive sporting environment in which talent is supported through funding, science and personalised guidance.

Eligible para-athletes should complete their applications through the official portal before 9 August 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the IIT Madras-SBI Foundation Para-Athlete Sports Scholarship?

It is a scholarship and athlete-development programme created by IIT Madras and SBI Foundation. It provides selected Indian para-athletes with financial assistance, sports science assessments, nutrition guidance and personalised support.

2. How much financial support will selected athletes receive?

Each selected para-athlete will receive a monthly scholarship of ₹40,000 for one year. This amounts to a total scholarship support of ₹4.8 lakh per athlete during the programme period.

3. How many athletes will be selected in Phase 2?

Phase 2 will support 80 para-athletes. The selected group will include 40 male and 40 female athletes.

4. Which sports are covered under the scholarship programme?

The eight eligible disciplines are archery, athletics, badminton, judo, powerlifting, shooting, swimming and taekwondo.

5. What is the last date to apply?

The application deadline for Phase 2 is 9 August 2026. Eligible athletes must submit their applications and supporting documents through the official portal before the deadline.