Season 13 brings together 61 teams at Buddh International Circuit, with growing participation in electric mobility and 18 teams qualifying for the endurance run
SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026, presented by Maruti Suzuki, brought together aspiring engineers from across India at the Buddh International Circuit, Greater Noida, from 2 to 5 September 2026. The 13th season of the student formula competition showcased engineering innovation, vehicle development, teamwork and motorsport, while providing students with an opportunity to apply their technical knowledge in a real-world environment.
The 2026 edition recorded 75 registrations, representing an increase of nearly 30% over 2025. Of these, 61 teams reported for the event, comprising 48 internal combustion vehicle (ICV) teams and 13 electric vehicle (EV) teams. The competition concluded with the endurance run, for which 16 ICV teams and two EV teams qualified after progressing through the required stages.
Bridging the gap between academia and industry
SUPRA SAEINDIA goes beyond conventional classroom learning by enabling students to experience the complete vehicle development cycle, from conceptualisation and design to manufacturing, testing and validation. Working within constraints related to time, cost, safety and performance, participants gain practical experience in engineering decision-making, problem-solving and collaborative development.
The competition also exposes students to the challenges of taking a vehicle concept from the drawing board to the track, where design choices and engineering decisions have immediate and measurable consequences.
Electric mobility gains ground
The 2026 edition highlighted the growing role of electric mobility in student engineering. With 13 EV teams reporting for the event, the electric vehicle category continued to strengthen its presence within SUPRA SAEINDIA.
The inclusion of EVs provides students with an opportunity to engage with the evolving demands of vehicle engineering and mobility technology, while encouraging innovation across different propulsion platforms.
SUPRA SAEINDIA gains international visibility
A significant development highlighted in the 2026 report was SUPRA SAEINDIA’s inclusion in the Formula Student Germany event list. The development is expected to enhance the competition’s international visibility and provide a stronger platform for participating Indian teams within the global student motorsport community.
The report also highlighted SUPRA SAEINDIA’s inclusion in the SAE Formula Student Global Ranking, marking another milestone in its efforts to strengthen the connection between Indian student engineering and the international Formula Student ecosystem.
Greater focus on efficiency and engineering rigour
The 2026 competition introduced a Fuel Efficiency Award, adding another dimension to the assessment of engineering performance. The award recognised the importance of efficiency alongside vehicle performance and intelligent engineering.
The competition also continued to place emphasis on technical inspection, testing and compliance with the applicable rulebook. The transition to the Formula SAE rulebook and the increasing involvement of experienced alumni as judges were identified as important steps towards strengthening the depth and rigour of the event.
Industry support strengthens the platform
Maruti Suzuki India Limited continued its association with SUPRA SAEINDIA as Title Sponsor, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing the next generation of mobility engineers.
The competition received support from a broad group of industry and institutional partners, including BPCL, Envision Energy, Dassault Systèmes, Munjal Kiriu, ICAT, JK Tyre, KIET, Apollo Tyres, ANSYS – part of Synopsys, AVL, CEAT, Validate, MRF, Migatronic, ETAS, EKA Mobility, Morphine Motorsports, ARAI and ACMA.
Autocar Professional, ET Auto and EV Tech News were the media partners for the event.
The support of these organisations extended beyond sponsorship, contributing to a platform that connects students with industry practices and encourages the development of engineering talent for the future mobility ecosystem.
Leadership perspectives
Anubhav Singla, Convener, SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026, and Senior General Manager, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, highlighted the competition’s role in nurturing young engineers.
“SUPRA is much more than a competition. It is a journey where ideas become reality, challenges become opportunities, and students discover their potential. From a dream that began in 2011 to a platform now recognised on the global Formula Student map, SUPRA SAEINDIA has been powered by passion, perseverance and people.
“My sincere gratitude goes to our mentors, judges, organising committee, volunteers, sponsors, industry and media partners, and everyone whose dedication makes this journey possible.”
Bibhu Sinha, Event Operations Head, SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026, said the event had reached a defining stage in its evolution, with improvements in participation, vehicle development, design and execution. He noted that the transition to the Formula SAE rulebook and the involvement of experienced alumni as judges had strengthened the competition, providing a stronger foundation for future editions.
Tarun Aggarwal, Chairman, SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026, and Head of Engineering and Development, Senior Executive Officer, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, underlined the competition’s evolution from a platform bridging industry and academia to one connecting Indian student engineering with the global Formula Student ecosystem.
“With the introduction and growing participation of the EV category, an updated rulebook aligned with global practices, and our inclusion in the SAE Formula Student Global Ranking, 2026 marks a new chapter in SUPRA’s journey.”
IV Rao, Vice-President, Exposition and Seminar, SAEINDIA; Distinguished Fellow, TERI; and former Engineering Head, Maruti Suzuki India Limited, emphasised the importance of preparation and compliance.
He said that thorough preparation and close adherence to the rulebook were essential as the competition evolved. A stronger focus on inspection and testing, he added, would help more teams clear the required stages, qualify for endurance and bring better-prepared vehicles to the track.
Dr G. Nagarajan, President, SAEINDIA, commended the dedication of the participating teams and the execution of the event. He reiterated SAEINDIA’s commitment to providing students with opportunities that bridge academic learning and practical, industry-ready experience.
Celebrating the winners
The awards recognised achievements across overall performance, endurance, autocross, skid pad, acceleration, engineering design, cost, business presentation, computer-aided engineering (CAE), efficiency, innovation and other categories.
Team Vegadooth Racing of KLE Technological University won the overall ICV title, while Veloce Racing Electric of Vishwakarma Institute of Technology secured the overall EV title. Team Screwdrivers of DPCOE – Dhole Patil College of Engineering finished first runner-up in the overall ICV category, followed by Formula Team Pegasus of Progressive Education Society’s Modern College of Engineering.
In the endurance run, Team Vegadooth Racing won the ICV category, while Team Invincibles of KIET Group of Institutions took the EV title. Veloce Racing Electric also recorded victories in several EV event categories, including autocross, skid pad, acceleration, engineering design and cost.
The Fuel Efficiency Award went to Team Screwdrivers in the ICV category and Team Invincibles in the EV category. Team Camber Racing of SRM Institute of Science and Technology won the Innovation Event award.
The competition also recognised individual and team achievements through the Dronacharya (Faculty Advisor) award, Best Woman Participant award, Best Vehicle Appearance, Clean Pit and Most Interactive Social Media Page awards.
The road ahead
With participation from both ICV and EV teams, a broader range of engineering challenges and increased international visibility, SUPRA SAEINDIA 2026 reinforced its role as a platform for developing practical engineering capabilities among students.
As the competition looks towards its next season, its continued focus on technical preparation, vehicle development, efficiency and industry engagement will remain central to its evolution. The experience gained on the track is expected to help participating students translate their engineering knowledge into capabilities relevant to the future of mobility.
