The Great Indian Jugaad Challenge

Competitive Frugal Innovation

The Great Indian Jugaad Challenge is currently suspended. Resources raised for the event have been redirected towards post flood relief activities in Kerala, Nagaland and other parts of the country. The competition may be revived at a later date. We thank all our supporters and partners for their efforts and hope to see the event become a success at a more appropriate time!

The Great Indian Jugaad Challenge 2018-19


Concept Note

Jugaad - Indigenous Indian Innovation

India has a long history of DIY culture in the form of jugaad. As a society we are predisposed to finding our own ways of doing things, largely because we expect processes not to work. The ability to innovate in the face of unworkable circumstances and very little infrastructural support has been one of the core strengths of Indian society as well as economy.

A national, competitive event series...

The Great Indian Jugaad Challenge is a hackathon series, open to college age students (18-25 yrs) resident in India. The entries will be judged based on

  • Lateral Approach
  • Medial Applicability
  • Frugal Utilitarianism

Showcase jugaad as a skill!

Jugaad solutions vary considerably in quality, from the purely reactionary to the skillfully crafted. We are looking for consciously designed, aesthetically pleasing solutions that utilize a combination of skills that can be learned by anyone, irrespective of who they are