SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar has received the First Prize for Outstanding Contribution to Engineering Education and Academic Development at the 12th Vibrant India 2026 – Most Vibrant Expo on Government Achievements in New Delhi.
The three-day exhibition, held at Talkatora Stadium from October 23 to 25, saw NIT Srinagar showcase an indigenously developed drone prototype designed to operate in high-altitude and low-temperature conditions.
The institute was represented at the national event by Dr Dinesh Kumar Rajendran, Aban Habib and Shebaan Habib, who demonstrated the technology developed to address the challenges of operating unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Himalayan region and other mountainous areas.
The prototype focuses on engineering challenges arising from extreme environmental conditions, including low temperatures and reduced air density, which can affect battery performance, propulsion efficiency, flight endurance and structural reliability.
The development highlights the potential of indigenous drone technology for specialised operations in remote and mountainous areas, including infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring and high-altitude observation.
Organised by NNS Media Group as part of Meri Dilli Utsav, Vibrant India 2026 brought together government organisations, public sector enterprises, educational institutions and other stakeholders to present achievements and initiatives across various sectors.
The exhibition featured displays covering Indian Railways, mines, coal, Jal Shakti, tourism, agriculture, animal husbandry, dairy, fisheries and other areas of national importance.
NIT Srinagar Director Prof Anurag Misra, Registrar Prof Atikur Rehman and Head of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centre (IEDC) Prof Babar Ahmad congratulated the team on receiving the award.
They appreciated the institute’s representation at the national platform and emphasised the importance of innovation, indigenous technology development and industry-oriented research in addressing practical challenges.
