BAJA SAEINDIA has commenced the physical round of its 19th edition with the eBAJA and hBAJA competitions, scheduled to be held from January 7 to 11, 2026, at the National Automotive Test Tracks (NATRAX) in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The HR Meet will follow the event on January 12 and 13 at the Acropolis Institute of Technology and Research in Indore.
The current season follows a virtual round held from July 18 to 20, 2025, during which teams presented vehicle design concepts and participated in an online assessment.
In total, 90 eBAJA teams and 21 hBAJA teams from across India will compete in static events covering design, cost, sales, manufacturing, sustainability and innovation, along with dynamic events such as acceleration, suspension and traction, manoeuvrability and endurance. The competition will conclude with a four-hour endurance race. The event also includes the Dronacharya Award for faculty advisors.
Technical updates and industry participation
This edition introduces a 72V tractive system for eBAJA vehicles and increases hydrogen blending in hBAJA vehicles from 5 per cent to 18 per cent. hBAJA teams will also use the Greaves G395WVI aluminium engine.
S Balraj, Chairman of the Organising Committee, said the competition has expanded from 17 teams at its inception to four categories, including the recently introduced aBAJA. He added that many alumni now work in leadership roles in the automotive sector.
At the press conference in Indore, Atul Bharat, Group Director at Acropolis Group of Institutions, said the institution supports BAJA SAEINDIA through infrastructure, mentoring and industry exposure to help students apply classroom learning.
NATRAX director Manish Jaiswal said electric BAJA has returned to NATRAX in 2026 with more than 100 teams. He added that new contests in virtual validation and 3D printing have been introduced to increase exposure to engineering technologies.
BPCL’s Vikranth Hate said Bharat Petroleum has supported BAJA SAEINDIA since 2007 and continues to provide fuel services for motorsport events. The company is the title sponsor for the 2026 edition.
Nikesh Satish of Autoliv India said safety awareness at the student level is essential and that platforms such as BAJA SAEINDIA help integrate safety considerations into engineering education.
Supriya Kawade, convener for hBAJA SAEINDIA 2026, said women students now account for nearly 21 per cent of total participation, with teams representing more than 20 states.
Amit Anand, convener for eBAJA SAEINDIA 2026, said the HR Meet is intended to connect students with automotive companies through structured assessments and recruitment interactions.
