The first-place title went to RV College of Engineering for their project, "Cross-Paradigm Compression for Efficient AI." By merging spiking neural network dynamics with structured pruning, the team developed a method to reduce the compute requirements of deep learning models without sacrificing accuracy, a breakthrough for deploying AI in edge environments. MS Ramaiah Institute of Technology secured second place with "ResoScan," a portable, radiation-free diagnostic system that identifies tissue changes through vibration analysis. The third-place honor returned to RV College of Engineering for a security gateway designed to protect large language models using post-quantum cryptography.

Chris Arrasmith, chief operating officer of Unisys, noted that the program prepares students for the rapid transition from conceptual ideas to business impact. The winners were selected by a panel of industry experts based on technical excellence and feasibility. Lalithanand Moses, managing director of Unisys in India, emphasized that the competition aims to transform students into problem-solvers capable of applying technical skills to real-world challenges. Since its inception in 2009, the program has served as a platform for engineering students across India to refine their capabilities alongside industry professionals.