Five Goan Students to Represent India at FIRST Global Challenge 2026 in South Korea

Five school students from Goa have been selected to represent India at the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 , an international robotics competition scheduled to be held in Incheon, South Korea, from October 7 to 10 . The achievement marks another step in India’s growing participation in global robotics platforms and highlights the increasing importance of STEM education, innovation and technology-based learning .

The five-member team, Tech Infinity , secured the opportunity after winning the Vikram Sarabhai Award for National Excellence at the Bharatiya Yantra Khel Mahotsav 2026 , organised by the STEM Education Trust.

The team comprises Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar, Dhruv Samir Salgaonkar and Soham Mahesh Redkar of Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa, Avaneesh Devendra Phadte of Mushtifund High School, Cujira, and Anam Raza of Poddar International School, Old Goa.

The FIRST Global Challenge brings together student teams from nearly 195 countries to design, build and programme robots around a common global challenge. This year’s theme, “Igniting Innovation” , focuses on using technology to reduce the risks and impact of fires while promoting environmental resilience.

Organisers said the students earned their place on Team India after years of training in robotics, computer-aided design, Java programming, strategy and teamwork . Many of the team members come from government-aided schools and middle-class families , making their achievement a reflection of growing opportunities in technology education.

India has participated in the FIRST Global Challenge since 2017 and has earned recognition in categories such as engineering design, innovation, collaboration, fundraising and safety . The country’s expanding robotics ecosystem has been supported by initiatives promoting STEM learning, coding, artificial intelligence and hands-on innovation among school students.

Programmes such as Atal Tinkering Labs and other school innovation initiatives have encouraged young learners to experiment with emerging technologies and develop problem-solving skills required for future careers in science and engineering.

“ They competed at national platforms, faced setbacks, learned from them and returned stronger. Their selection places them on a global platform alongside participants from nearly 195 nations, ” organisers said.

STEM Education Trust founder Gagan Goyal said the achievement reflected the importance of nurturing young innovators through practical STEM education. He added that such students not only compete but also return to teach, mentor and inspire future generations .

Team mentor Anay Kamat said the students’ perseverance and willingness to learn helped them reach the international stage, adding that their journey could inspire more student teams across Goa and India.

The selection comes as the Goa government’s CARES scheme expands robotics education among school students across the state. The 2025 Team India was represented by students from an Atal Tinkering Lab in Bengaluru, and Goa will now carry forward India’s representation at the global robotics event.