vivo India Names Dheyay Shah Winner of vivo Ignite 2026
New Delhi, October 28, 2026: vivo India has announced Dheyay Shah of RMG Maheshwari English School, Surat, Gujarat, as the national winner of vivo Ignite 2026, its nationwide technology and innovation initiative for students in Grades 8–12. His project, JALAAKAR – The Shape of Water: Predict, Alert, & Act, uses machine-learning techniques and historical groundwater-related data to estimate groundwater availability and support water management.
The winner was announced at the vivo Ignite 2026 National Finale held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on October 28. The event recognised the Top 10 student innovations addressing real-world challenges through science, technology and problem-solving.
The fourth edition of vivo Ignite received more than 38,000 registrations and over 6,100 student ideas from more than 12,000 schools across 705 districts in India. Participation spanned over 4,500 cities across all 28 states and eight Union Territories, including 92 Aspirational Districts. The programme offers educational scholarships and rewards worth up to ₹35 lakh.
The 10 finalist projects, developed by 13 young innovators through eight individual and two group projects, addressed areas including groundwater conservation, water safety, women's online safety, road safety and assistive technologies.
Geetaj Channana, Chief Corporate Communications Officer, vivo India, said, “We congratulate Dheyay Shah, the national winner and all the Top 10 finalists of vivo Ignite 2026 for their remarkable innovations. As we complete the fourth edition, the growing participation from over 12,000 schools across 705 districts reinforces the potential of vivo Ignite to become one of India’s largest school-level STEM innovation platforms. Our ambition is to build on this momentum by expanding our reach, particularly across government schools and Aspirational Districts, while strengthening mentorship and opportunities for students to take their ideas beyond the classroom. We envision vivo Ignite becoming India’s most credible school-level innovation platform, empowering young minds to transform their ideas into meaningful solutions and contribute to India’s long-term innovation ambitions.”
The National Finale brought together student innovators, educators, programme partners and other stakeholders. Attendees included Dr. Panneerselvam Madanagopal, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub, Government of India; Shri Ratnesh Jha, Executive Director, UN Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI); and Dr. M J Shankar Raman, CEO, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) of IIT Madras. The event was hosted by technology commentator Rajiv Makhni.
The student projects were evaluated by a jury comprising academicians and industry experts. The assessment criteria included creativity, scientific application, feasibility, cost-effectiveness and potential social impact.
Alongside the student awards, vivo India felicitated 10 educators under the National Teacher Innovation Fellowship (NTIF), an extension of vivo Ignite that recognises innovative approaches to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The fellows were selected from more than 200 applications across 14 states and 26 districts. They were recognised for their efforts to make science and technology education more practical, inclusive and engaging for students.
The fourth edition of vivo Ignite was supported by IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation, the Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Madras; the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF); and UN Global Compact Network India (UNGCNI) as knowledge partners. Grant Thornton served as the process validator.
Through vivo Ignite and the National Teacher Innovation Fellowship, vivo India aims to support student-led innovation and encourage educators to adopt practical approaches to STEM learning.
