In a remarkable achievement that has brought pride to the institution and reinforced its position as a leader in research and innovation, students of Sharda University’s School of Computing Science & Engineering have secured All India Rank 2 at the ISRO Robotics Challenge – IRoC-U 2025.
The challenge, organized by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), tested the ingenuity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving ability of India’s brightest young minds. Over 510 teams from across the nation, including some of the most prestigious institutions such as IITs, NITs, and IIITs, competed in this high-stakes national event. Only 16 teams advanced to the Final Field Round held at the ISRO URSC Satellite Centre in Bengaluru, where Sharda University’s Team Soorya proudly clinched the second position nationwide.
The Journey of Team Soorya
At the heart of this success story lies the hard work, resilience, and innovation of Team Soorya—a group of dynamic engineering students with a passion for robotics and autonomous systems. The team was led by Kartik Pandey, with Muskan as co-lead, and Prashant as a core member. Guiding them through this journey were their dedicated mentors, Rani Astya and Jitendra Singh, who provided technical expertise and moral support.
Team Soorya’s entry into the challenge was nothing short of extraordinary. They designed and developed an advanced Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) capable of performing complex operations in GPS-denied environments—a technical domain that represents some of the toughest challenges in aerospace engineering. Their UAV was equipped with a self-reliant system that could autonomously: Navigate using onboard sensors and algorithms, Identify safe landing zones, and Perform precision landings without human intervention.
What truly set them apart was their ability to create and implement novel, self-developed algorithms for navigation, localization, and autonomous landing. Unlike off-the-shelf solutions, these algorithms were built from the ground up by the students themselves. At the Final Field Round in Bengaluru, ISRO scientists tested their UAV under real-world conditions. The performance, accuracy, and reliability of Team Soorya’s system demonstrated not only technical mastery but also creative problem-solving at its finest.
A Legacy of Consistency
This victory is not an isolated achievement. In fact, Team Soorya has a track record of excellence in national-level competitions. In 2024, the team secured the 3rd prize at the ISRO Rover Challenge, an honor personally conferred by the Hon’ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu. Their continued success across consecutive years highlights the depth of talent at Sharda University and the institution’s ability to cultivate leaders in emerging technology fields.
Sharda University: A Global Name in Education
The achievement of Team Soorya is also reflective of Sharda University’s wider institutional excellence. Recognized globally, Sharda University ranks 59th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 and falls within the 400–500 band in Asia. With students representing over 95 nationalities, Sharda has earned its title as India’s global university.
The university offers 135+ UGC-recognized programmes at undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. Its 63-acre campus in Greater Noida is a melting pot of cultures, ideas, and disciplines, fostering an environment that encourages collaboration and innovation. What further distinguishes Sharda is its integration of Artificial Intelligence across the curriculum, preparing students not just to keep pace with technological change but to actively drive it.
The Sharda School of Computing Science & Engineering
Sharda’s School of Computing Science & Engineering (SCSE) has become one of North India’s most respected engineering schools. This reputation is reflected in the Times Engineering Rankings 2025, where Sharda achieved: 3rd rank in North India. 12th in India overall, 11th in placements nationwide and 6th in research across the country.
Such accolades are the result of Sharda’s consistent focus on academic excellence, hands-on learning, and cutting-edge research. The school offers NBA-accredited B.Tech. programmes in disciplines such as Computer Science & Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Biotechnology, Electrical & Electronics Engineering, and Electronics & Communication Engineering.
The presence of state-of-the-art laboratories and industry-grade environments ensures that students gain practical exposure to real-world challenges while applying theoretical knowledge.
One of Sharda’s distinguishing features is its strong culture of invention and entrepreneurship. Students are not only encouraged to excel academically but also motivated to work on projects that have a real-world impact. This has led to remarkable student-led innovations such as: A humanoid robot designed for complex task automation, Electric vehicles for differently-abled and elderly individuals, VISION – an electric sports bike, VAAAN – a futuristic hubless electric bike, A hybrid solar-electric vehicle, A mountain climber bike and Smart Air Purifying Droid (S.A.P.D.).
These innovations are more than just prototypes-they symbolize Sharda’s thriving startup ecosystem, where creativity meets mentorship, and ideas are transformed into entrepreneurial ventures. Many alumni of Sharda’s engineering programmes have gone on to establish successful startups, further strengthening the university’s reputation as a launchpad for future entrepreneurs.
Sharda University is deeply committed to advancing research in emerging technologies that are shaping the global landscape. Key focus areas include: Robotics and autonomous systems, Quantum communication, Biomedical devices, Semiconductor innovation, Autonomous vehicles, Next-generation communication networks, including 5G and 6G test beds.
By encouraging students and faculty to engage in these cutting-edge domains, Sharda ensures its graduates are prepared to contribute meaningfully to both national priorities and international advancements in science and technology.
Sharda’s win in ISRO’s Robotics Challenge – A Testament to Vision and Mentorship
Team Soorya’s triumph at the ISRO Robotics Challenge exemplifies the vision of Sharda University to nurture technically skilled, globally competent, and socially responsible engineers. Behind every achievement is not only the determination of students but also the tireless mentorship of faculty members and the robust infrastructure that supports advanced research.
This achievement is also a reminder that innovation thrives when knowledge meets opportunity. Sharda University provides that fertile ground where students can dream big, take risks, and turn ambitious ideas into reality.
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