New era of sustainable student motorsport
The 19th edition of Baja SAEINDIA has been officially launched at NATRAX, Indore, introducing Electric and Hydrogen fuel cell categories in addition to its traditional combustion segment. Organized by the SAEINDIA Collegiate Club, the event invites student teams from engineering institutions nationwide to design, build, and compete in purpose-built off-road vehicles under rigorous testing conditions.
By adding electric and hydrogen disciplines, Baja SAEINDIA is advancing its mission to prepare future engineers for the rapidly evolving mobility landscape. The inclusion of sustainable propulsion technologies aligns the competition with industry priorities in decarbonisation, energy diversification and next-generation vehicle systems.
Event focus and competition structure
Baja SAEINDIA challenges student teams to deliver vehicles that excel in multiple performance areas, including acceleration, maneuverability, suspension traversal, endurance testing, and engineering design excellence. The competition allows future mobility innovators to prototype and validate real-world solutions while under academic sponsorship and mentoring.
Students participating in the new Electric category will present battery-powered off-road vehicles, optimizing range, power delivery and safety standards. The Hydrogen category teams will demonstrate vehicles powered by fuel cell technologies, exploring alternative zero-emission systems that are gaining traction in commercial and industrial mobility segments.
The program’s technical evaluation framework includes detailed assessments of component design, manufacturing quality, cost planning and functional performance. Students also engage with industry experts, gaining insights into emerging trends in EV, hydrogen mobility and intelligent vehicle architectures.
Alignment with industry and education goals
Baja SAEINDIA serves as a critical bridge between academic training and industrial practice, helping cultivate engineering talent equipped for electric mobility, energy diversification, and sustainable transport solutions. By hosting Electric and Hydrogen vehicle challenges at a major motorsport and testing venue such as NATRAX, the competition reflects India’s broader transition toward cleaner propulsion systems and builds valuable hands-on experience for future mobility professionals.
The launch of the 19th Baja SAEINDIA with expanded technology categories underscores the event’s evolution as a premier platform for student innovation, resilient engineering and future-ready automotive talent development.
