Panaji, Goa: Goa has added another remarkable achievement to its growing list of success stories in education and innovation. Five school students from the state have been selected to represent India at the prestigious FIRST Global Challenge 2026, an international robotics competition that will be held in Incheon, South Korea, from October 7 to 10, 2026.
Often described as the “Olympics of Robotics,” the FIRST Global Challenge brings together teams from nearly 195 countries, with each nation represented by a single team tasked with designing, building, and programming a robot to solve real-world challenges.
Meet Team India 2026
The selected students are:
- Sparsh Swapnesh Verlekar – Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa
- Dhruv Samir Salgaonkar – Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa
- Soham Mahesh Redkar – Saraswat Vidyalaya, Mapusa
- Avaneesh Devendra Phadte – Mushtifund High School, Cujira
- Anam Raza – Poddar International School, Old Goa
Competing under the name Tech Infinity, the students earned the privilege of representing India after winning the Vikram Sarabhai Award for National Excellence at the Bharatiya Yantra Khel Mahotsav (BYKM) 2026, organised by the STEM Education Trust.
A Story of Determination
The team’s journey is one of resilience, determination, and continuous learning. Coming from government-aided schools and middle-class families, the students have spent years mastering robotics, CAD design, Java programming, engineering concepts, strategy, and teamwork.
Their success is a reflection of countless hours of dedication, guidance from mentors, unwavering support from parents, and Goa’s rapidly growing STEM ecosystem.
Innovation for a Better Future
The theme for the FIRST Global Challenge 2026 is “Igniting Innovation,” focusing on developing technological solutions that reduce fire risks while promoting environmental resilience.
Over the coming months, Team Tech Infinity will design, build, and test its competition robot while also serving as cultural ambassadors representing India before participants from around the world.
Mentorship Driving Success
The team is mentored by Anay Kamat and Saieesh Gandhi, whose guidance has played a significant role in preparing these young innovators for international competition.
Speaking on the achievement, Gagan Goyal, Founder of the STEM Education Trust, said that Team India represents curiosity, perseverance, and the courage to dream big, adding that investing in young innovators today is investing in India’s future.
Mentor Anay Kamat described the students’ selection as a well-deserved recognition of their hard work and hoped their journey would inspire more schools and student teams across Goa and the country.
Government Support for STEM
Goa’s student robotics movement has consistently received encouragement from Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant, who has supported young innovators representing the state on national and international platforms.
The achievement also complements the Government of Goa’s CARES Scheme, which is introducing robotics and STEM learning to thousands of students across the state.
Continuing India’s Legacy
India has performed exceptionally well at the FIRST Global Challenge since its inception in 2017, winning multiple international honours in engineering design, innovation, teamwork, fundraising, safety, and collaboration.
With Team Tech Infinity now carrying the national flag in 2026, Goa proudly becomes the latest state to showcase India’s innovation and engineering talent before the world.
As preparations begin for South Korea, the young innovators continue to seek support from government bodies, corporate organisations, and the wider community to help them proudly represent both Goa and India on the global stage.
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