CycloProp is the Grand Challenge of the PUSHPAK Grand Challenge 2026, a national innovation challenge under the PUSHPAK: National Mission on Drone Technology, funded by MeitY, Government of India,
and hosted by IIT Bombay. Unlike a conventional hackathon or idea competition, this challenge takes promising technical concepts through evaluation, mentoring, and deployment-oriented development. Teams work with researchers, domain experts, and industry mentors to design an indigenous cycloidal rotor module for drone applications, targeting at least 10 N thrust and a thrust-to-weight ratio greater than 2.5. The goal isn't immediate prototype fabrication, but identifying strong, build-ready cyclorotor designs. Selected winning teams get invited to a post-challenge Prototype Development Support Programme to bridge the gap between innovation and real-world deployment. Who Should Apply Open to academic institutions, faculty-led student teams, startups, MSMEs, and academia-startup-industry consortia with expertise in UAVs, rotorcraft, aerodynamics, robotics, controls, or mechanical design. Teams can have up to 5 members. Format & Timeline The Grand Challenge runs about 4 months across three stages, ending with final presentations at Techfest, IIT Bombay, in December 2026. Stage 1 involves a preliminary design submission, Stage 2 a detailed CAE-supported design package, and Stage 3 the Grand Challenge Finale with technical viva and presentations before an evaluation committee. Prizes Up to 5 winning teams will be selected and considered for further support, funding, mentoring, and access to resources for building and testing their cyclorotor designs in the next phase. The total prize pool is ₹25,00,000. Eligibility Open to academic institutions, faculty-led student teams, startups, MSMEs, and consortia. Team size: 1–5 members. About the Organiser IIT Bombay is one of India's premier engineering institutions, and Techfest is its annual science and technology festival, one of the largest in Asia. The PUSHPAK Grand Challenge is a national initiative under the PUSHPAK: National Mission on Drone Technology, funded by MeitY, Government of India. How to Apply Mandatory registration is on the official Techfest website (techfest.org > Competitions > PUSHPAK Grand Challenge). All Stage 1 and Stage 2 submissions must be made via email to pushpakgc2026@aero.iitb.ac.in. Registration deadline is 27th September 2026.
Eligibility
Open to academic institutions, faculty-led student teams, startups, MSMEs, and academia-startup-industry consortia with expertise in UAVs, rotorcraft, aerodynamics, robotics, controls, or mechanical
design. Team size: 1–5 members.
Prizes
Top 5
₹25,00,000 (shared) + further support, funding, mentoring, and resources for prototype development
