The 10th annual Boeing National Aeromodelling Competition concluded in Bengaluru with students from IIT Madras and IIT Kharagpur securing the top spots. The event, one of India’s largest aeromodelling platforms, drew participation from more than 1,400 students across 432 institutions this year, with women making up 24% of the finalists.
A total of 46 students representing 12 teams competed in the finale. The first prize went to a team from IIT Madras, while two teams from IIT Kharagpur secured second and third places. All finalists will also be eligible to join Boeing’s one-year Apprenticeship program.
The competition, launched in 2013, is sponsored by Boeing and conducted in partnership with IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Madras, and R.V. College of Engineering. Participants design, build, and test fixed-wing aircraft models under performance criteria, simulating real-world aerospace challenges.
Salil Gupte, president of Boeing India & South Asia, said the initiative has created a strong platform for engineering students to demonstrate skills relevant to the aerospace industry. Stacie Sire, vice president and managing director of Boeing India Engineering & Technology Center, added that the competition equips students with practical exposure to design, timelines, and performance expectations.
Over the past decade, Boeing has invested in nurturing aerospace talent in India through programs such as the Boeing University Innovation Leadership Development (BUILD), earlier initiatives like the HorizonX India Innovation Challenge, and its Aircraft Maintenance Engineers Apprenticeship program.
Winning Teams:
- First Place: IIT Madras – Prajwal B.T, Ashik, Pradyumna Bhat, Adarsh H.N
- Second Place: IIT Kharagpur – Amogh Wadhonkar, Kinjal Bunker, Saurajjal Mondal, Gaurav Anand
- Third Place: IIT Kharagpur – Ved Takte, Shreya Rajneesh, Daksh Gupta, Shreshta Yaduka
