Entering in its 19th edition, BAJA SAEINDIA 2026, an engineering design competition organised by SAEINDIA is ready to challenge engineering undergraduates to design, fabricate and run an All Terrain Vehicle (ATVs)- machines born in workshops, forged through vision and tested by terrains. From being a single-category event i.e. mBAJA to organising events for four different categories (mBAJA, eBAJA, hBAJA and aBAJA), this year marks a return to the pre-COVID two-phase format for all four categories, moving away from the three-phase structure adopted in recent years, which follows as below
The journey of the event begins with an electrifying virtual evaluation. Teams steps in front of a panel of judges with their preliminary vehicle designs showcasing the technical brilliance and implementation plan. Teams are expected to build their designs which are creative, feasible and have a clear roadmap from concept to execution. Once the presentations conclude, teams dive into a fast-paced quiz round that tests their understanding of key engineering principles, sustainability considerations and rulebook understanding.
The second phase is the on-ground competition where the rubber wheel meets the road and the focus shifts from concepts and blueprints to a real working system as teams unveil their fully fabricated vehicles at designated venues i.e. for eBAJA NATRAX, mBAJA and hBAJA Narsapur and aBAJA Pune. The competition spans an intense five days and is a blend of simultaneous challenges designed to evaluate the vehicles and their creators on all fronts as mentioned
| Event | Details |
|---|---|
| Static Events | Design presentation, Sales presentation, Cost Evaluation, Innovation event, Sustainability event, CAE presentation |
| Safety Scrutiny | Technical Inspection, Brake test, Rainstorm test (only for eBAJA teams) |
| Dynamic Events | Acceleration, Sled Pull, Maneuverability, Suspension & Traction |
| Endurance Event | Vehicle runs on an endurance track for 4-hours testing its performance, efficiency and durability. |
HR Meet: Career Opportunities, BAJA SAEINDIA 2026
Following the competition, a 2-day HR Meet is held exclusively for final-year participants where industry leaders engage with fresh talents, kickstarting a journey from a student to engineer. Students who clear the BAJA Aptitude Test (BAT) are shortlisted for interviews with sponsoring companies, offering valuable career opportunities in the automotive and engineering sectors