TechConnect'26 - Research Poster Presentation Competition

Competition Overview:

EnPoWER (Engineering-Oriented Promotion of Work Experience and Research) is IIT Bombay's official student-driven research promotion wing, dedicated to fostering a vibrant academic culture and bridging the gap between undergraduates, professors, and industry leaders.

As part of this mission, EnPoWER, IIT Bombay, in collaboration with the Industrial Research and Consultancy Centre (IRCC), proudly presents "Soch-Vichar-Achar", the flagship research competition of IIT Bombay under ResCon 2026. This initiative is designed to ignite curiosity and foster innovation among undergraduates across India by offering them a platform to showcase their research, exchange transformative ideas, and compete for exciting prizes.

The name "Soch-Vichar-Achar" reflects the very essence of research:

• Soch (Thought) – sparking curiosity and encouraging fresh perspectives.
• Vichar (Reflection/Ideation) – critically analyzing problems, exploring possibilities, and shaping ideas into structured research.
• Achar (Action/Implementation) – translating thought and reflection into impactful outcomes through experiments, innovations, and real-world applications.

Together, these three pillars capture the journey of every researcher, from curiosity to creation; making the competition not just an event, but a celebration of the research mindset.

The competition will consist of three rounds:

• Abstract Submission Round (via Unstop): Teams must submit an abstract emphasizing research progress, innovation, and industry relevance. Based on this, participants will be shortlisted for further rounds.
• Poster Presentation Round: The shortlisted teams will present their research through an offline poster showcase at IIT Bombay on 16th December 2026 during ResCon.
• Presentation Round: The shortlisted teams will deliver a 10-minute (8+2) offline presentation at IIT Bombay on 16th December 2026 during ResCon.

The selection of teams in Poster Presentation Round and Presentation Round, as well as their distribution will be revealed soon.

Eligibility Criteria & Participation Guidelines:

• Open Registration: Participation is open to all undergraduate students across India.
• Team Size: Teams can consist of 1 to 4 members.
• Undergraduate Status: All participants must be undergraduate students as of 31st December 2026.
• Institute Requirement: All team members must belong to the same institute.
• Fixed Teams: Once registered, team members cannot be changed.
• Multiple Registrations: Multiple entries by the same individual or team are strictly prohibited and will lead to disqualification.
• Abstract Phase: All registered teams must submit an abstract within the given deadline. This will form the basis for shortlisting.
• Accommodation: Accommodation details will be shared to the selected candidates via email.

Organizing Team's Decision: In case of disputes or discrepancies, the decision of the organizing committee will be final and binding.

Abstract Submission Round:

The first round will take place online on the Unstop platform. Teams are required to submit an abstract that outlines their research, highlighting progress, novelty, and industry relevance. This abstract will serve as the basis for the initial elimination phase.

Domains for abstract submission are:

• Computer Science, AI & Data Science
• Biosciences, Biotechnology & Healthcare
• Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
• Aerospace Engineering
• Civil Engineering
• Electrical, Electronics & Communication
• Mechanical Engineering, Robotics & Automation
• Physics, Mathematics & Materials Science
• Environmental Science, Energy & Sustainability
• Business, Entrepreneurship & Management

Further details and subdomains are attached below:

Topics for Poster ResCon'26

Note: Teams must choose the research domain that most significantly overlaps with their research. Based on the submissions, the top teams will be shortlisted for the offline rounds. These teams will be invited to IIT Bombay for the final round on December 16th, 2026 during ResCon.

Evaluation Criteria for Abstract:

• Clarity and Conciseness (10 marks): The abstract should effectively convey the research objectives, methods, and significance clearly and concisely.
• Originality and Relevance (15 marks): Assessment of the novelty of the research idea and its alignment with the chosen domain, highlighting its potential contributions to the field and relevance to current industry needs.
• Presentation Quality and Methodological Rigor (25 marks): Evaluation of the overall presentation quality, including formatting, neatness, and visual appeal. Also includes an assessment of the research design and methodology, along with the potential implications of the findings for the field or society.

Poster Presentation Round:

The Poster Presentation Round aims to provide teams with an opportunity to visually present their research work, highlighting key findings and methodologies, while effectively communicating the significance and impact of their study.

Guidelines for the Poster Presentation Round will be shared separately via email as well. Templates for posters have been attached below:

Poster Template 2026

Evaluation Criteria for Poster Presentation Round would be as follows:

• Content and Depth of Research (15 marks): Well-structured and researched work put forward with clarity of thought.
• Presentation Skills (15 marks): Quality of the presentation and the team's ability to communicate and defend their ideas.
• Layout/Design of Poster (5 marks): The poster's overall arrangement and visual appeal.
• Impact and Relevance (5 marks): The importance and potential of the idea presented in the real world.

Presentation Round:

The Presentation Round gives finalists a stage to narrate the full story of their research; how the idea began, the journey of exploration, the methods applied, and the insights that led to their conclusions.

• Introduction: Provide an overview of your research topic and its significance.
• Objectives: Clearly define the goals and objectives of your research.
• Methodology: Outline the research methods and techniques used in your study.
• Results: Present key findings and outcomes of your research.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main conclusions of your study.
• Implications: Discuss the potential impact or applications of your research.

Evaluation Criteria for Presentation Competition would be as follows: :

• Need and Impact (20 marks): The importance and potential of the idea presented if the alignment with the present industry standards was adequately addressed.
• Content and Clarity (20 marks): Well-structured and researched work, put forward with clarity of thought. The participant can respond to inquiries posed by the panelists.
• Presentation Skills and Preparedness (10 marks): The presentation's quality and ability to communicate and defend their idea.

Accommodation for Shortlisted Teams:

Accommodation will be provided for the selected teams. The details will be added here soon and will also be shared with the shortlisted teams via email.

Prizes and Rewards:

ResCon 2026 brings prizes beyond just cash! Along with an exciting prize pool worth ₹4 Lakh+, winners will unlock opportunities such as exclusive research internships at IIT Bombay for external teams and dedicated research funding for IIT Bombay participants. These rewards are crafted to fuel innovation, support impactful projects, and turn bold ideas into reality.