Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2026: Six Finalists Announced, ₹11.5 Lakh Prize Pool

Viasat has announced six finalists for the Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge 2026, its annual STEM competition organised in partnership with the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe). The grand finale is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on October 27, 2026.

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The selected participants will showcase concepts that use satellite communications, artificial intelligence (AI) and space-based technologies to address real-world challenges. Their proposed solutions cover areas such as satellite security, orbital debris management, disaster alerts, building-collapse detection, crop health monitoring and emergency communications.

The competition offers a total prize pool of ₹11.5 lakh. The first-place winner will receive ₹5 lakh, the second-place winner ₹3.75 lakh and the third-place winner ₹2.75 lakh. The finalists will also benefit from mentorship by Viasat industry experts.

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Viasat Space for Good India Challenge 2026: Meet the Six Finalists

According to Viasat’s official announcement and finalist profiles, the six selected participants represent leading educational institutions and have proposed technology-driven solutions for challenges on Earth and in space.

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1. Aryan Gupta — Sentinel: Satellite IoT Security

Aryan Gupta, a pre-final-year Mechanical Engineering student at IIT Roorkee, has developed the concept Sentinel: A Secure-by-Design Framework for D2D IoT.

The proposed framework aims to strengthen security for devices that communicate directly with satellites. It is designed to help remote sensors verify satellite connections and protect transmitted data against tampering. Potential applications include monitoring agricultural conditions, railway infrastructure and pipelines in areas with limited cellular connectivity.

2. Adeetya Uppal — DRISHTI: AI-Based Space Debris Avoidance

Adeetya Uppal, a fourth-year Aerospace Engineering dual-degree student at IIT Kharagpur, is presenting DRISHTI: AI Guardian for Sustainable Orbits.

The concept uses artificial intelligence to monitor space debris, assess collision risks and calculate suitable avoidance trajectories for satellites. It aims to improve the safety of spacecraft operating in Earth's orbit and support the continuity of satellite-based communication and navigation services.

3. Nived Krishna — MARK: Satellite-Based Emergency Alerts

Nived Krishna, a PhD student in Computer Science at IIT Kharagpur, has proposed MARK: Multi-Orbit Alert Relay Network.

The system is intended to help emergency warnings reach communities where mobile networks are unavailable or have been disrupted by disasters. It proposes using satellite links to relay alerts to community receivers, including those installed at schools and panchayat offices, with the broader objective of extending warnings to individual mobile phones.

4. Parth Bhagwat Kharat — BhuKavach: Building Collapse Detection

Parth Bhagwat Kharat, a third-year Computer Engineering student at Dr. D. Y. Patil Institute of Technology in Pune, is developing the concept BhuKavach: Satellite Collapse Triage Layer.

The proposed system would detect building collapses and transmit location information to emergency responders. It is designed to use terrestrial communication networks where available and switch to satellite connectivity when conventional infrastructure fails. The objective is to help rescue teams identify affected locations more quickly during disaster response operations.

5. Shashank Kumar Singh — ChronoSentinel: Monitoring Plant Health from Space

Shashank Kumar Singh, a PhD researcher in Biological Sciences and Engineering at IIT Gandhinagar, has proposed ChronoSentinel: Plant's Clock from Space.

The concept combines satellite-based Earth observation with research into plant biological rhythms. By studying changes in the internal cycles of plants, the proposed technology aims to identify early indications of environmental stress before visible symptoms appear.

If developed successfully, the approach could support agricultural monitoring, crop management and ecological assessment.

6. Tanatswa Manjeya — Aegis: Emergency Connectivity and Risk Monitoring

Tanatswa Manjeya, a final-year Electrical and Electronics Engineering student at Aditya University, is presenting Aegis.

The concept centres on solar-powered emergency communication units called Aegis-PODs. These units are designed to establish local Wi-Fi access points that could help people send distress messages through satellite connectivity when power supplies and mobile networks are disrupted.

The proposal also includes the use of environmental sensors and AI-based analysis to monitor infrastructure risks and help emergency authorities plan evacuations.

The descriptions above summarise the finalists' proposed concepts; they should not be interpreted as confirmation that the systems have been commercially deployed or independently validated.

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What Is the Viasat Space for Good India Challenge?

The Viasat: Space for Good India Challenge is a STEM initiative designed to encourage university students to develop practical applications of space technology. The 2026 edition follows the programme's debut in India in 2025.

Viasat's published programme information describes a multi-stage competition involving written concept submissions, digital presentations and final pitches. The six finalists are scheduled to present their ideas to a panel of experts in New Delhi on October 27, 2026.

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The initiative focuses on connecting students with industry expertise, mentorship and opportunities to explore how satellite technology can address real-world problems.

Why the Challenge Matters for India's Space Sector

India's expanding space and technology ecosystem offers opportunities for innovation across agriculture, communications, environmental monitoring and disaster management. Satellite connectivity can be particularly valuable in remote locations where terrestrial communication infrastructure is limited or vulnerable to disruption.

The six selected concepts reflect different potential uses of space-enabled technology, from protecting satellites in orbit to improving emergency response on the ground.

However, their practical impact will depend on factors such as technical feasibility, testing, deployment costs, regulatory requirements and integration with existing infrastructure.

The upcoming finale will give the finalists an opportunity to present their concepts to industry experts and compete for financial support to further develop their ideas.