The sixth edition of the Sustainable Design Innovation (SDI) Challenge concluded at the Infosys campus in Mysuru, bringing together over 2,400 students from more than 160 academic institutions to develop climate-resilient and net-zero solutions for India’s built environment.
Organised by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements (IIHS) and the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE), the year-long programme challenged 235 student teams to design practical solutions for real-world projects ranging from housing and educational institutions to office buildings, community resilience shelters, construction worker housing, and residential cooling retrofits.
The SDI Finals 2026 focused on addressing pressing climate challenges such as extreme heat, water scarcity, rising energy demand, and the need for affordable and resilient infrastructure. Students worked on 30 building projects and six product innovations, applying sustainable design principles to create industry-ready solutions.
The Grand Prize for SDI 2025–26 was awarded to Team Agniya, led by students from Manipal School of Architecture & Planning in collaboration with Haji Public School, Breswana. The team was recognised for its sustainable educational building design, which the jury praised for integrating environmental, social, and resource-efficient design principles.
The event also featured the Climate Smart Innovation Exhibition, showcasing products and technologies aimed at climate mitigation and adaptation. Mechzephyr Engineering won the Climate Smart Innovation Award 2026 for its modular, chemical-free wastewater treatment reactor designed for buildings and other applications.
Hosted by Infosys at its Mysuru campus, the finals highlighted sustainable event practices, including carbon-neutral operations and carbon-negative trophies. Infosys also provided accommodation and meals for participants attending the event.
A career fair held on the final day connected students with more than 70 organisations working in sustainability, climate action, and net-zero development, offering internship and early-career opportunities. The event aimed to bridge the gap between academic innovation and industry needs while encouraging young professionals to pursue careers in the green economy.
By combining hands-on problem-solving, industry engagement, and sustainability-focused innovation, SDI 2026 provided a platform for young innovators to contribute practical solutions to India’s climate and infrastructure challenges while preparing for careers in the rapidly growing sustainability sector.
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