The Indian Digital Gaming Society (IDGS) has announced the top 10 finalists of the Innovate2Educate: Handheld Device Design challenge. The competition, organised by the IDGS in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as part of the upcoming World Audio Visual Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025, is aimed at driving innovation among the youth at the intersection of technology, education, and gaming, inspiring breakthrough ideas and design for handheld devices that can revolutionise learning experiences.
The top 10 finalists have been selected from 1856 registration of innovative ideas after rigorous evaluation by an expert jury panel comprising industry leaders, technologists, educators, and designers. The jury includes Indrajit Ghosh, Co-Founder, Eruditio; Rajeev Nagar, Country Manager, Inda and SAARC, Huion; and Jeffrey Cray, Co-Founder and Product Head, Squid Academy.
The 10 finalists are:
1. KARNATA PARVA – Code Craft Junior (Karnataka)
2. VIDYARTHI – Smart Learning Tablet for Kids: An Interactive and Adaptive Educational Companion (Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)
The young innovators have developed the Smart Learning Tablet—a low-cost, voice-assisted, interactive educational device powered by ESP8266 or Raspberry Pi. Designed with children in mind, this tablet provides a screen-free, internet-free alternative to traditional and digital learning tools that are often inaccessible due to high costs and connectivity barriers.
3. TECH TITANS – Smart Handwriting Learning Device with Interactive Writing Assistance (Tamil Nadu) Blending traditional writing methods with modern technology, the Smart Handwriting Learning Device is designed to transform how children learn to write. The device offers real-time interactive feedback, a multilingual learning experience, and an offline, affordable solution tailored especially for early learners in underserved areas.
4. PROTOMINDS – EduSpark (Delhi, Kerala, UP, Bihar) EduSpark is an affordable, AI-powered handheld device designed to spark curiosity and accelerate cognitive growth in young children aged 6 to 8. Apart is its adaptive AI engine as children play educational games—ranging from Sudoku and math challenges to mazes and memory puzzles—the device adjusts difficulty in real-time, helping each learner progress at their own pace.
5. APEX ACHIEVERS – BODMAS Quest: Gamified Math Learning For Smarter Education (Tamil Nadu)
BODMAS (Brackets, Orders, Division/Multiplication, Addition/Subtraction) often poses challenges to young learners, slowing their confidence and progress in mathematics. BODMAS Quest changes that by transforming learning into an immersive, reward-based journey.
6. SCIENCEVERSE – The Imperative of Interactive Educational Handheld Devices for Children (Indonesia)
7. V20 – VFit – Interactive Learning
8. WARRIORS– Maha-shastra (Dehi)
Maha-Shastra is an innovative educational ecosystem designed to reshape the learning experience for students aged 5 to 18. . Built for inclusivity and scalability, the platform combines quizzes, real-time simulations, AI-powered tutoring, and multilingual support to meet the diverse needs of learners across India and beyond. Its core is a handheld AI-powered device that engages students through interactive games, adaptive quizzes, and offline collaboration using LoRa-based meshtastic networks
9. KIDDYMAITRI– A Handheld Mathematical Gaming Console (Mumbai, Odisha, Karnataka)
Over half of Indian students tested fell below global minimum standards in foundational numeracy. Recognizing this critical challenge, Team Kiddymaitri took inspiration from NEP 2020, focusing on native language learning, technological integration, and traditional Indian values to develop a truly local and impactful learning solution.
10. E-GROOTS– Micro Controller Mastery Kit (Tamil Nadu)
The top 10 shortlisted teams will present their ideas at a special showcase during the WAVES 2025 in Mumbai. The winners of the challenge will be felicitated at the grand finale by the ministry.
