BAJA SAEINDIA 2026 Static and Dynamic Rounds Held at Natrax Test Track, Ahead of Final All-Terrain Race

BAJA SAEINDIA, an all-terrain-vehicle (ATV) design challenge for engineering students, is holding this year’s physical rounds starting on January 7 at the Natrax testing facility in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. Now in its 19th year, teams from across India have come together to exhibit and race the single-seat ATVs that they have built. The educational initiative aims to help students use their theoretical knowledge in practical situations, requiring them to design and fabricate an ATV which must also pass multiple validation tests.

This year’s competition features vehicles using an upgraded 72V swappable tractive system for real-world industry-level exposure.

Talking about the event, Amit Anand, Convener, eBAJA 2026 said “I witnessed an exhilarating second day packed with pivotal events for our competing teams. It kicked off with rigorous technical inspections, seamlessly transitioning into brake tests to finalize vehicle safety checks. Simultaneously, static events like Design and CAE Finals, Validation, and the Dronacharya event unfolded with great intensity. Teams validated their buggies' performance through virtual simulations using IPG Carmaker software. For enhanced safety, eBAJA teams endured the Rainstorm test, ensuring their electrical and electronic systems withstand the challenging terrains ahead."

The competitors, divided into eBAJA teams for electric and hBAJA teams for hydrogen-powered ATVs, appeared for technical inspection and brake tests, before competing in dynamic events such as Acceleration and Maneuverability. A Virtu-Sync event compared simulated vehicle performance with real-world results utilising industry equipment and sensors organised by Natrax in collaboration with BAJA SAEINDIA.

On the second day of the event, 37 eBAJA teams and 12 hBAJA teams cleared their Mechanical technical inspection. Additionally, 25 teams in total cleared their Electrical technical inspection. Only eight eBAJA teams and four hBAJA teams cleared the Brake Test, qualifying them for the dynamic events in line with the event’s rules and standards. These will culminate in an all-terrain race, including wading through water, on January 11. 

The scores from the various static and dynamic events are added up to decide the teams’ overall ranking, out of 1,000 points. Beyond the competition, teams will also have the chance to interact and network with industry leaders, and potentially receive employment offers,  at an HR Meet hosted by Acropolis Institute of Technology and Research. 

The annual competition originated in the USA as Mini BAJA SAE by SAE International, and is now held in multiple countries. BAJA SAEINDIA has been held in India since 2007.