Hero Motocorp Accelerates Its Premiumisation Journey Launches All-New Xtreme 160R 4V And Refreshed Xtreme 250R

Hero MotoCorp, the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters, is accelerating its premium growth ambitions with the launch of the all-new Xtreme 160R 4V and refreshed Xtreme 250R. The twin launch marks a significant step in strengthening the Company’s premium motorcycle portfolio, bringing together sharper streetfighter styling, exhilarating performance and advanced rider-focused technology across two key segments.

While the all-new Xtreme 160R 4V expands the appeal of the Xtreme family with a comprehensive redesign and new technology, the refreshed Xtreme 250R builds on its performance credentials with enhanced equipment, refined detailing and greater riding versatility. Together, the two motorcycles reinforce Hero MotoCorp’s commitment to delivering aspirational, technology-led products and accelerating its premiumisation journey.

Speaking on the launch, Anuj Dua, Chief Business Officer – Premium Segment, Hero MotoCorp said, “Premiumisation remains one of the biggest growth opportunities ahead of us and we continue to strengthen our position in this segment through sharper product differentiation and enhanced riding experiences. The Xtreme family is a key pillar of this strategy.

The all-new Xtreme 160R 4V brings the Xtreme DNA to a larger community of young riders as the fastest motorcycle in its segment, with a complete redesign and segment-first cruise control and Panic Brake Alert, while the newly launched Xtreme 250R raises the bar in its segment with Ride-by-wire, four ride modes, traction control, a quickshifter, segment-first cruise control, Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, and the industry's first Frequency selective damping suspension. Backed by our Hero Premia network of more than 130 stores, these launches reflect our commitment to creating world-class, aspirational products and further strengthening our premium portfolio.”

THE ALL-NEW XTREME 160R 4V

Since its debut in 2023, the Xtreme 160R 4V has been a key pillar of Hero MotoCorp's premium motorcycle portfolio. The all-new model is its most comprehensive transformation yet: a complete redesign carrying the Xtreme family DNA, segment-leading performance and a host of innovative technology. Conceived as a sporty naked motorcycle, the all-new Xtreme 160R 4V is youthful, muscular and aggressive, with a big-bike presence designed for riders who want thrill, individuality and technology from their motorcycle.

Xtreme DNA, Sharper Stance

The all-new Xtreme 160R 4V features a “Cybersharp” design language that is aggressive, with sharper tank shrouds, a muscular stance, and revised bodywork for increased road presence. The ergonomically contoured fuel tank enhances knee grip and rider comfort, with easy ground reach. Its Advanced Lighting Package features an auto-illuminating Class D full LED headlamp with ambient light sensor, projector high beam, and signature “H”-shaped DRLs complemented by an “H”-shaped LED tail lamp and full LED winkers. Red and black front wheel rim options add a personalised touch.

Fastest In Its Segment

The all-new Xtreme 160R 4V is powered by Hero MotoCorp's 163cc, 4-valve, oil-cooled engine, producing 17.1 PS @ 8,750 rpm of peak power and 14.6 Nm @ 6500 rpm of peak torque. Its short-stroke design revs quickly to deliver high peak power, while a finned oil cooler keeps the engine thermally stable through extended, spirited riding. The result is the fastest motorcycle in its segment with a top speed of 0 to 60 km/h in 4.4 seconds. It also delivers the best rear-wheel power in its segment. Ownership is easier too, with extended service intervals: no oil change and no tappet setting is required until 6,000 km.

Ride-by-Wire, Ride Modes & Segment-First Cruise Control

Electronic throttle control (ride-by-wire) delivers precise, smooth and predictable throttle response, and enables three ride modes. Rain mode offers a softer throttle response for slippery conditions, Road mode provides smooth, balanced power delivery for everyday riding, and Sport mode unleashes the motorcycle's full potential with sharp, direct throttle response. The Xtreme 160R 4V is also the first motorcycle in its segment to offer cruise control, making every day and long distance riding effortless.

Confidence On Every Ride

Dual-channel ABS, tuned for the best balance between braking stability and deceleration on all surfaces, works with a 276 mm front and 220 mm rear petal disc. The motorcycle also introduces a segment-first Panic Brake Alert, which enhances safety notifying surrounding traffic during sudden, hard braking. Suspension duties are handled by 37 mm KYB upside-down front forks and a 7-step preload-adjustable rear monoshock, delivering a planted ride with balanced comfort and body control. Radial tubeless tyres, including a wide 130/70 R17 rear, provide grip and confidence through corners.

All-New TFT Console & Rider-Focused Comfort

The new TFT console displays ride modes, gear position with shift advisory, cruise control status, distance to empty, and real-time mileage, with auto-adjusting brightness. Bluetooth connectivity enables call and message alerts, music, phone battery status, and turn-by-turn navigation. Illuminated soft-touch switchgear, an integrated kill-start switch, hazard lights, cruise control controls, and a Type-C fast charger enhance convenience. 5-step adjustable brake and clutch levers allow personalised reach, while a revised rider triangle, ergonomically contoured seat, and improved ground reach enhance comfort. The seat is 16 mm longer at 642.9 mm, with single and split-seat options.

THE REFRESHED XTREME 250R

The refreshed Xtreme 250R raises the bar in the 250cc performance segment with enhanced performance, advanced technology, sharper dynamics and premium design and finish. Combining track-inspired technology and confidence-inspiring handling with everyday usability, it delivers an exhilarating, well-rounded riding experience.

Bolder Style, Sharper Finish

The product sharpens its aggressive streetfighter stance with gold anodised front forks, carbon-fibre hydro-dipped panels, coloured rims with rim tapes, evolved graphics, and embossed detailing. The FSD branding on the rear suspension adds a distinctive performance cue. With 50+ fit and finish enhancements, the motorcycle delivers a more premium experience featuring refined component finishes, braided cables, and a new swingarm tail cover.

Dynamic Performance

At the heart of the new Xtreme 250R is the proven 250cc liquid-cooled, 4-valve DOHC engine, producing 30 PS @ 9,250 Revolution per minute of peak power and 25.3 Nm @ 7500 Revolution per minute making this the highest torque output in the 250cc segment. The motorcycle is the fastest in the segment with sprints from 0 to 60 km/h in 3.2 seconds.

Effortless Riding

The new Xtreme 250R introduces segment-first cruise control. It allows riders to automatically maintain a set speed without constantly holding the throttle, enhancing riding comfort and reducing fatigue. Adding to the experience is Hero MotoCorp's first sensorless bi-directional quickshifter. It allows clutchless upshifts and downshifts without closing the throttle, delivering faster shifts on the track and less fatigue on long rides.

Advanced Rider Aids for Total Control

The motorcycle now offers four ride modes, making the Xtreme 250R the best-equipped motorcycle in its segment for riding versatility. The modes are tuned to suit different riding conditions and preferences, with Rain mode offering smoother power delivery for wet and slippery surfaces, Road mode delivering linear performance for everyday riding, Sport mode sharpening the motorcycle's response for spirited riding, and Track mode unlocking its full performance potential for the race track. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) displays real-time tyre pressure and temperature, with colour-coded alerts when pressure is too high or too low.

Frequency Selective Damping Suspension: Comfort Meets Control

It is equipped with Frequency Selective Damping (FSD) rear suspension, a first in the two-wheeler industry. An additional FSD piston provides two distinct rebound damping profiles that adapt to the frequency of road inputs. The result is a ride that smooths out broken roads while keeping the tyre planted for precise line selection through corners. The rigid trellis frame and 43mm USD front forks continue to deliver agile and precise handling.

Smart TFT Console & Connectivity

A new full-colour TFT instrument cluster displays all information in an easily readable interface that also looks good. Riders can also use the built-in lap timer and drag timer. Bluetooth connectivity brings call and message alerts, phone battery status and turn-by-turn navigation to the console. New soft-touch switchgear puts every function at the rider's fingertips, including a dedicated mode selector, an integrated kill-start switch, hazard lights and cruise control switches.

Colours, Pricing & Availability

The all-new Xtreme 160R 4V is available in three variants at special introductory prices: Standard at Rs.1, 27,000; Pro at Rs.1, 37,000 and Carbon at Rs.1, 41,000 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) and will be available at Hero MotoCorp and Hero Premia dealerships across the country.

The refreshed Xtreme 250R is available in three colourways: Carbon Red, Carbon White and Carbon Black. It is launched with a special introductory price of Rs.1, 98,000 (Ex-showroom, Delhi) and will be available at all Hero Premia dealerships across India.

Bookings for both motorcycles opens from 17th October, 2026 and deliveries commence from 1st November 2026.

About Hero MotoCorp

Hero MotoCorp, headquartered in New Delhi, India, is the world’s largest manufacturer of motorcycles and scooters for 25 consecutive years with ~$5 billion revenue. The Company’s global footprint spans 53 countries across Asia, Africa, Europe, Central and Latin America with a customer base of over 130 million. The Company operates eight manufacturing facilities - six in India and one each in Colombia and Bangladesh - along with two Research and Development centres: Hero Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) in India and Hero Tech Centre Germany (TCG). Hero MotoCorp is driving the transition to electric mobility through VIDA. Strategic alliances with Harley-Davidson and Zero Motorcycles support the design and development of premium and electric motorcycles, respectively.

Further demonstrating its commitment to the EV future, the Company has made strategic investments in two- and three-wheeler EV manufacturers, Ather Energy and Euler Motors. Hero MotoCorp is the only Indian two-wheeler manufacturer listed on the prestigious Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI).

Hero MotoCorp’s Executive Chairman, Dr. Pawan Munjal, was named to the 2025 TIME100 Climate List of the 100 most influential leaders driving business climate action.

Beyond mobility, Hero MotoCorp is a major global promoter of sports, including golf, football, field hockey, and cricket. Hero MotoSports Team Rally is India's flag bearer in global rally racing.

ServiceNow Advances Its Operational Harness For Enterprise AI With AI Passport And Expanded Governance Capabilities

* New AI Passport solution verifies first- and third-party AI agents’ scopes in real time

* Super Intelligence Control Tower expands discovery, visibility, control, and cost-to-value measurement capabilities on a single data model

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW), the Super Intelligence Control Tower for business reinvention, today announced a new AI Passport solution and significant advances in AI governance to help ensure AI agents are production-ready by combining runtime governance, platform integration, and comprehensive oversight, all inside ServiceNow’s operational AI harness. Specifically, AI Passport is a new authority layer that gives enterprises runtime control over what AI agents and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers are authorized to do at every point in a multi-agent workflow. ServiceNow also enables enterprises to discover what AI is running, control what AI agents do, and measure spend against outcomes with a broadened set of governance capabilities.

AI agents need more than a reasoning model to execute enterprise workflows securely. They need structure: which data or tools they can access, clear rules for what actions they’re allowed to do, and an auditable record of who authorized it. ServiceNow provides the operational foundation that helps enterprises make AI agents safe for production. AI Passport is a cryptographically signed credential that AI agents refer to at runtime, including environments such as NVIDIA OpenShell, to verify their authorized scope, grounded in enterprise business context for governed decisions. When an AI agent stays within its passport scope, it can operate freely. When it drifts, graduated responses can be enforced — redirecting, restricting, or reconnecting the AI agent with proper context — including kill switch capabilities at machine speed if termination is needed. ServiceNow’s Super Intelligence Control Tower keeps the full audit record behind actions, transforming AI agent execution into governed, auditable, and accountable work.

"As AI agents proliferate across the enterprise, visibility alone isn’t enough. Enterprises need confidence that every AI agent is operating within its authorized scope,” said Jon Sigler, executive vice president and general manager, AI Platform at ServiceNow. “ServiceNow closes that gap with an operational harness across AI Passport and new capabilities that unify agent authority, governance, and operational oversight so enterprises can scale agentic AI with control."

AI Passport: attested authority, enforceable at the edge

AI Passport is built on open specifications so that any governance product, identity provider, or enforcement point can issue and verify credentials for their own and third-party AI agents. Credentials are verifiable at every step in multi-agent workflows.

This represents a fundamental shift from reaction to prevention. Unlike audit trails, which show what happened after the fact, AI Passport helps prevent AI agents from acting outside their scope by authorizing what they can do at runtime. It brings ServiceNow’s ‘Shift Zero’ approach to life: secure by design, at inception. Each AI agent receives its own AI Passport, issued by the Super Intelligence Control Tower and grounded in the enterprise's live business context through ServiceNow Configuration Management Database (CMDB), Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) policies, and workflow approvals. For third-party AI agents especially, this creates a verifiable permissions record rather than relying on the AI agent’s own ‘claims’ about its permissions.

The approach to AI Passport enables precision revocation and scoped delegation that narrows at each step for third-party agent governance, along with audit trails that include full compliance signatures. ServiceNow is also announcing NVIDIA as a design and launch partner, building a production-ready enforcement implementation using the NVIDIA Open Agent Safety Platform, which features NVIDIA OpenShell open-source secure runtime software and the NVIDIA Sentry security framework.

"As enterprises shift from experimenting with agents to running them in production, securing those agents demands enforcement at the infrastructure layer," said Itay Ozery, director of Product Marketing for Networking and Cybersecurity at NVIDIA. "By implementing AI Passport with the NVIDIA Open Agent Safety Platform, ServiceNow customers can continuously verify and enforce what every agent is authorized to do — at machine speed and at runtime."

Unified discovery, visibility, and measurement

In addition to AI Passport, ServiceNow delivers end-to-end AI governance on one unified platform across discovery, visibility, control, measurement, and compliance. The new capabilities announced today build on ServiceNow’s autonomous remediation and kill switch capabilities that empower enterprises to act with speed.

The ServiceNow AI Platform runs on a single unified data model, which enables governance decisions to happen automatically across asset intelligence, identity security, and AI observability, eliminating manual handoffs between teams:

Shadow AI detection that finds unapproved AI agents running in the network

400+ out-of-box connectors that will enable AI discovery across platforms and vendors

Access mapping that grounds authorization decisions in actual entitlements

Continuous enterprise AI observability that keeps track of AI agent traces and behavior

Beyond discovering what AI is running, enterprises need visibility into whether that AI is delivering value and operating within budget. ServiceNow is announcing:

Cost governance that tracks user, department, and runtime spending

Value intelligence that connects consumption, cost, quality, and realized user value so teams can optimize AI use, maintain budget commitments, and help prove business value

AI Cost Management as part of IT Asset Management (ITAM), which will integrate with the Super Intelligence Control Tower to bring frontier model, embedded SaaS AI, hyperscaler, and data center GPU costs into a single view, alert teams to potential budget overruns, and ground spend in business context

Policy enforcement that will manage alert-to-throttle-to-block graduated responses

AI control in highly regulated industries

For financial institutions, ungoverned assets and shadow AI multiply risk across compliance clocks. Regulators are shrinking incident notification windows far faster than manual, spreadsheet-driven programs can respond. ServiceNow's 2026 Banking AI Maturity Index reveals that gap: while 100 percent of banks report using AI, only 24 percent have the governance to match it. Unmanaged service accounts, shadow AI agents, and unregistered devices remain exposed.

ServiceNow's new Operational Resilience solution brings AI governance, risk, and security together in one place, with centralized data that helps financial institutions respond quickly. It gives CROs and CISOs the same real-time visibility and control. The Super Intelligence Control Tower senses ungoverned assets, identities, and AI agents across IT, OT, cloud, and third-party systems on one data model and unified platform. It is designed to treat a rogue AI agent like any other exposed asset: it finds it, flags it, and shuts it down, if needed. When an incident hits, banks can triage, contain, and revoke access inside the regulatory window, with auditable proof already in hand.

What customers are saying

LTM Limited

"As we accelerate LTM’s growth as an AI-led enterprise, we have deployed 1,500 AI agents across the organization, each assigned an employee ID and manager to ensure accountability, oversight, and continuous improvement,” said Chandan Pani, Chief Information Security Officer, LTM. “ServiceNow’s control tower provides a single system of record for these AI agents, giving us centralized visibility into inventory, risk, and compliance. By streamlining AI asset management and strengthening governance, we expect to improve operational efficiency significantly. These capabilities will be foundational to scaling AI responsibly across LTM, enabling stronger governance, enhanced risk oversight, and greater business value from our AI investments."

Availability

AI Passport, shadow AI detection, and AI Cost Management are expected to be available in Q4 2026. ServiceNow’s Operational Resilience solution for financial services is available today.

Attendees of NVIDIA GTC Berlin can also learn more about AI Passport, powered by the ServiceNow AI Platform and NVIDIA Open Agent Safety Platform, by joining session SB61172.

About ServiceNow

ServiceNow (NYSE: NOW) is the Super Intelligence Control Tower for business reinvention. The ServiceNow platform integrates with any model, any cloud, and any data source to orchestrate, govern, and secure work across the agentic enterprise. ServiceNow gives customers the enterprise context and control to build and scale confidently. With more than 100 billion workflows running on the platform each year, ServiceNow helps organizations turn fragmented operations into coordinated, autonomous work for IT, CRM, Security, Employee Experience, and more. Learn how ServiceNow puts AI to work for people at www.servicenow.com.  

Tesla Launches Its Much-Awaited Flying Roadster Concept Car With Live Demo In Texas

Electric car company Tesla has unveiled its flying Roadster vehicle with a demonstration in which the car drove upside down, flipped off a ramp and briefly flew, using compressed-air thrusters that Tesla claims will make it the world's quickest production car.

During a live event in Texas, the two-seat Roadster model drove up a half-pipe ramp and launched off the top, remaining in the air for a few seconds before landing

It also became airborne after building up speed on flat ground, launching over a row of parked vehicles. It then lifted off from a stationary position.

A series of thrusters in the bottom and back propelled the car into the air and cushioned the landings.

It was designed by Tesla and SpaceX, both companies led by businessman Elon Musk, who called the second-generation Roadster "a collaboration with the world's best car company and the world's best rocket company".

The thrusters can also fire rearward to boost acceleration. Tesla demonstrated the car reaching 60 miles per hour in a claimed 0.81 seconds, and said it would be the "quickest" production vehicle to 60 miles per hour.

On the half-pipe ramp, the vehicle was able to remain upside down due to a fan suction system. The air tanks in the vehicle are rechargeable and can be recompressed without fuel, according to Tesla.

Long term, Musk said the car will be the "only manual" vehicle in its lineup, referencing plans for driverless vehicles. Though the demonstration used a pre-programmed sequence with no driver.

Tesla chief designer Franz von Holzhausen said the car was designed with an "aerospace aesthetic". It has an angular supercar exterior with scissor doors and a deployable spoiler, and is a coupe with a hard top.

Mantri Square Mall Launches Mantri Shopping Festival 2026 With Bollywood Actress Bhumi Pednekar

Mantri Square Mall, one of Bengaluru’s prominent shopping and lifestyle destinations, launched Mantri Shopping Festival 2026 (MSF 3.0) with Bollywood actress Bhumi Pednekar at the mall in Malleshwaram, Bengaluru. The launch marked the beginning of a festive shopping celebration running from 16 October 2026 to 3 January 2027, bringing together shopping, entertainment and exciting rewards for visitors.

Bhumi Pednekar joined Kamakshi Mantri, Chief Strategy Officer – Retail, Commercial & Hospitality, Mantri Developers, for the launch. The occasion featured the unveiling of the festival’s shopper rewards and campaign highlights, setting the tone for the festive shopping season at the mall.

The festival aims to make festive shopping more engaging and rewarding, with exciting offers across participating brands, a lucky draw featuring a Yezdi Bike, and weekly rewards for the highest shopper. As part of the lucky draw, two winners will get a chance to win a Yezdi Bike, subject to the campaign’s terms and conditions.

Speaking about the festival, Kamakshi Mantri, Chief Strategy Officer –Mantri Group, said, “The festive season presents an opportunity to bring people together through shopping, celebrations and shared experiences. With Mantri Shopping Festival 2026, our focus is on creating an engaging and rewarding experience for shoppers while supporting our retail partners during one of the most important periods of the year. Through exciting offers, shopper rewards and a vibrant festive environment, we look forward to welcoming visitors to Mantri Square Mall over the coming months.”

Bhumi Pednekar said, “The festive season is all about celebrating with the people you love, discovering something special and creating memorable experiences. Shopping is a big part of those celebrations, and initiatives like the Mantri Shopping Festival add to the excitement with attractive offers and rewards. I'm delighted to be part of the launch and wish everyone a wonderful festive season.”

Anupam T., CEO, said, “Mantri Shopping Festival 2026 reflects our continued focus on making Mantri Square Mall a destination that offers more than shopping. We want visitors to enjoy a complete experience that brings together retail, leisure and festive celebrations. The festival is an opportunity to welcome shoppers, create memorable experiences and strengthen our relationships with both customers and retail partners.”

With its diverse retail mix, dining options and entertainment offerings, Mantri Square Mall continues to cater to a wide range of shoppers and families. Through Mantri Shopping Festival 2026, the mall aims to build festive excitement, encourage repeat visits and give customers more reasons to make the mall part of their seasonal celebrations.

Shoppers can visit Mantri Square Mall, Malleshwaram, Bengaluru, throughout the festival period to explore participating brands, discover festive offers and participate in the campaign’s shopper rewards.

About Mantri Square:

Mantri Square Mall is one of India’s largest retail destinations, offering a complete shopping, dining, and entertainment experience under one roof. With a curated mix of over 300 international and Indian brands, a multiplex, and extensive food and leisure options, it continues to be a preferred destination for families and fashion-forward shoppers alike.

For more information, visit www.mantrisquare.com

MSM Unify Joins Team Canada Trade Mission To India 2026, Calls For Deeper Cooperation In AI, Higher Education And Cybersecurity

MSM Unify is participating in the Team Canada Trade Mission to India 2026, with Mr. Mahir Laul, Global Strategist and Partnerships, joining nearly 300 Canadian delegates to advance bilateral trade, investment and strategic cooperation. Led by Canada's Minister of International Trade, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, the mission spans Mumbai and Bengaluru from October 12 to 17, bringing together business leaders and policymakers at a pivotal moment in Canada-India economic relations.

With both countries pursuing an ambitious expansion of bilateral trade and renewed engagement on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), the mission signals an opportunity to build partnerships beyond traditional sectors, particularly in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced technologies and the knowledge economy.

Representing MSM Unify, Mr. Mahir Laul brought attention to the strategic convergence of technology, higher education and international trade. His discussions focused on how Canada and India can move beyond conventional education partnerships toward deeper institutional cooperation, joint innovation, AI-driven workforce transformation and stronger digital resilience.

Commenting on the evolving Canada-India economic relationship, Mr. Mahir Laul said:

"The next chapter of Canada-India trade must be defined not simply by the volume of commerce, but by the intellectual and technological capabilities we build together. Artificial intelligence is fundamentally reshaping economic competitiveness, while cybersecurity has become a prerequisite for digital trust and cross-border growth. Higher education sits at the intersection of both. The real opportunity is to move from talent mobility to talent co-creation, where universities, industry and technology ecosystems jointly develop the expertise, research capabilities and innovation infrastructure that both economies will need over the next decade."

He also emphasized that sustainable technology partnerships require more than market access. They depend on trusted digital systems, responsible AI adoption, industry-aligned education and the ability to translate research into commercially relevant innovation.

The Team Canada Trade Mission provides a platform for Canadian and Indian organizations to explore these opportunities through sector-specific discussions, bilateral business meetings and engagement with India's expanding technology and innovation ecosystem.

MSM Unify's participation underscores the increasing relevance of international education within broader economic diplomacy. As Canada and India deepen their commercial relationship, collaboration in knowledge, emerging technologies and human capital will be essential to building long-term competitiveness and shared economic value.

Four Teams Win ₹2 Crore At Samsung Solve For Tomorrow 2026

· Participants across 648 cities, 28 states and 7 UTs identified challenges in their communities and developed tech solutions to address them

· Winners were shortlisted by Samsung R&D and Design MDs and an external jury from NITI Aayog, IIT Delhi, MeitY and Office of Principal Scientific Advisor, GoI

· Top 20 teams were awarded ₹20 lakh in grants and a smartphone for every member; the programme also facilitated an Investor Meet for potential funding of their ideas

Samsung India today announced the winners of Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026, with this year’s entries spanning 648 cities across 28 states and seven union territories. At the Grand Finale in New Delhi, four teams won incubation grants totaling ₹2 crore from Samsung to take their technology-led solutions forward.

The winning teams — QuantHunt from Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh; morphism from Raipur, Chhattisgarh; InnoBotix from New Delhi and Somatrace from Hyderabad, Telangana — will also receive mentorship and incubation support at FITT, IIT Delhi, to develop their prototypes towards market-ready solutions, with the potential to evolve into startups of the future.

This year’s finalists in India were selected through a six-month journey that included 184 design thinking workshops across 135 cities, intensive bootcamps, prototype development and pitch evaluations. They presented solutions across four themes: AI Living for India, Health and Education, Sport and Tech and Environmental Sustainability.

Now in its fifth edition in India, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is part of a global programme. Since 2022, around 80,000 students have participated, using science, technology, engineering and mathematics to identify challenges in their communities and develop solutions.

Four winning solutions

AI Living for India: QuantHunt – Raebareli, Uttar Pradesh: An AI-based cybersecurity solution designed to identify encryption vulnerabilities and help organisations prepare their digital systems for emerging quantum-computing risks.

Health and Education: morphism – Raipur, Chhattisgarh: An AI system designed to help autistic individuals better understand emotions by analysing subtle facial expressions and other behavioural signals.

Environmental Sustainability: InnoBotix – New Delhi: Sentinel, a solar-powered AI edge device that uses cameras, radar and seismic data to detect wildlife approaching human settlements and provide early warnings.

Sport and Tech: Somatrace – Hyderabad, Telangana: A wearable IoT training tool that measures spinal angles and load during training to help precision-sport athletes and coaches better understand injury risk.

The Top 20 teams received ₹20 lakh in grants, and each member received a Samsung Galaxy flagship smartphone. The Grand Finale also recognised teams through two Community Choice Awards of ₹1 lakh each and a Digital Impact Award of ₹50,000.

This year’s entries featured human-centred solutions using artificial intelligence, wearable IoT and sustainable design. Over 50% of the ideas came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, demonstrating that innovation is not confined to urban centres and that promising solutions to real-world challenges can emerge from every corner of Bharat.

The finalists received mentorship from Samsung, startup founders and experts from FITT, IIT Delhi to refine their hardware and software prototypes.

“India’s next wave of innovation will depend on how well we connect technology to people’s needs and give young people the opportunity to take ideas from the problems they see to solutions they can test and build. Sustaining that journey strengthens the country’s capacity to innovate and is an important part of nation-building. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have brought curiosity, empathy and purpose to challenges in their communities, applying emerging technologies to real-world problems. As Samsung celebrates 30 years in India, we are proud to support their journey. The four winning teams reflect a confident, inventive Bharat, ready to turn ingenuity into impact,” said Mr. JB Park, President and CEO, Samsung South West Asia.

Partnerships to support the next stage

Samsung has strategic partnerships with United Nations in India, FITT, IIT Delhi, Startup India (DPIIT), MeitY Startup Hub, Atal Innovation Mission (NITI Aayog) and Manthan, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

These partnerships connect young innovators with wider support across India’s startup and innovation ecosystem. Through these collaborations, Samsung is helping build a culture of problem-solving and entrepreneurship, empowering young innovators to transform their ideas into market-ready solutions.

The Grand Finale also featured an Investor Meet for all Top 20 teams. The interaction gave the young innovators an opportunity to engage with the startup and investment ecosystem and explore pathways to take their innovations to the next level.

Distinguished guests at the awards ceremony included Sushil Pal, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Electronics & Technology, Government of India, Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India and Nikhil Agarwal, Managing Director, FITT, IIT Delhi.

“Innovation advances sustainable development when it is guided by inclusion, empathy and a clear understanding of people’s needs. India’s young innovators are at the heart of achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow gives young people the opportunity to have these values frame their solutions for a more inclusive and sustainable future. I congratulate the winners and all participants, and commend Samsung for encouraging young people to engage with the challenges shaping our shared future,” said Stefan Priesner, United Nations Resident Coordinator in India.

“Science and technology create the greatest value when they address challenges in people’s lives. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have brought that approach to a wide range of issues, from healthcare and sustainability to sports, using curiosity and problem-solving to shape their ideas. Platforms that take young people from identifying a challenge to designing and testing a solution strengthen the ecosystem with a culture of innovation across the country,” said Prof. Umesh V. Waghmare, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India.

“Innovation takes more than a promising idea; it requires a deep understanding of the user and the discipline to test, refine and scale a solution. This year’s Samsung Solve for Tomorrow finalists have demonstrated both technological ingenuity and a strong sense of purpose. The next step is to help the winning teams move beyond prototypes towards solutions with measurable impact. I congratulate them and look forward to seeing how they use the incubation support to contribute to India’s startup ecosystem,” said Dr. PS Madanagopal, CEO, MeitY Startup Hub.

The Grand Finale jury comprised Mohan Rao Goli, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Bengaluru; KY Roo, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Noida; Demian Hyun, Managing Director, Samsung R&D Institute India-Delhi; and Yuran Kim, Managing Director, Samsung Design Delhi. The external jury included Himanshu Joshi, Director, AIM, NITI Aayog; Dr. Srinivasan Venkatraman, Assistant Professor, IIT Delhi; Dr. Sapna Poti, Director, Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India; and Saurabh Ranjan, Scientist, MeitY.

Through its global CSR vision, “Together for Tomorrow! Enabling People”, Samsung works to expand access to knowledge, skills and resources. In India, its citizenship programmes are guided by “Powering Innovation for India”, supporting young people as they build a better future for their communities. 

Vi Disrupts With India’s First Prepaid Family Plan

* Introduces a first-ever proposition that lets prepaid customers create A Vi prepaid family on the Vi app, enabling data sharing, assured savings and exclusive offers from anywhere in the country

At Vi, the thought ‘Vi Pe Sab Hain VIP’ is built on the belief that meaningful benefits should be accessible to everyone. Continuing to bring this promise to life, Vi today announced the launch of Vi prepaid family plan, India’s first proposition that challenges conventional plans, by enabling family members to share data benefits with one another from anywhere in the country. The new proposition reimagines the traditional prepaid experience giving users flexibility to share data with family members, whenever someone is running low on data.

In today's digital-first world, running out of data can mean missing an important video call, pausing an online class, getting stranded without maps, or losing access to essential apps and services. While families routinely support one another in countless ways every day, mobile data has largely remained an individual resource. Vi prepaid family plan changes that.

All active Vi prepaid subscribers can use the Vi App to create a family group, of up to four members— one being the primary member and up to three secondary members. Each member retains their own prepaid plan and validity while gaining the flexibility to share data and help the family stay connected. Vi Prepaid Family members can share 500 MB of data at a time to help another family member stay connected when they are running low on data.

Each of the family members will enjoy guaranteed discounts of up to 10% on every recharge made through the Vi App.

Speaking about the launch, Avneesh Khosla, Chief Marketing Officer, Vi, said: "At Vi, we believe the best innovations are often rooted in simple human truths. We believe the future of prepaid is not just about offering more data but about giving customers greater flexibility on how they use it. Vi Prepaid Family plan challenges the traditional approach to mobile plans in the segment and is a bold step towards making prepaid more relevant to the way people live, work and stay connected. This plan demonstrates our inclusivity stance, again, by ensuring families stay connected and share data whenever one of them needs it from anywhere in the country.”

A new campaign featuring Shah Rukh Khan brings the proposition and the brand’s ‘Vi Pe Sab Hain VIP’ promise to life. In the film, Shah Rukh Khan shows how Vi prepaid plan keeps his family, spread out across cities in India, always connected.

Consumers can create a family across telecom circles, add eligible family members, and enjoy shared connectivity, family management and exclusive rewards. Learn more with the YouTube video: https://youtu.be/8H8Sx5M452A?si=KgZ_yh52Vod-Uar8

Link to the campaign: https://youtu.be/N2cxYMrs4MY?si=WAyPid0q0lIynPi1

About Vodafone Idea Limited

Vodafone Idea Limited is an Aditya Birla Group and Vodafone Group partnership. It is amongst India’s leading telecom service providers. The company holds a large spectrum portfolio including mid band 5G spectrum in 17 circles and mmWave spectrum in 16 circles. The Company provides Voice and Data services across 2G, 4G and 5G platforms and is expanding 5G services across 17 circles. To support the growing demand for data and voice, the Company is committed to delivering delightful customer experiences and contributing towards creating a truly ‘Digital India’ by enabling millions of citizens to connect and build a better tomorrow. The Company is developing infrastructure to introduce newer and smarter technologies, making both retail and enterprise customers future ready with innovative offerings, conveniently accessible through an ecosystem of digital channels as well as extensive on-ground presence. The Company’s equity shares are listed on National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the BSE in India. For more information, please visit: www.MyVi.in