Opportunity brief

Overview

TechFEST'26 is North India's premier technical festival, organised by Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab. This is a paid opportunity with the early-bird packages mentioned below.

Select Your Registration Package

Rs 299 Package (early bird, without accommodation)
Participation in all technical and non-technical events of techFEST'26
Participation certificate
Rs 599 Package (early bird, with accommodation)
Everything included in the Rs 299 package
Hostel accommodation on campus (meal charges applicable as per institute norms)
Registration is mandatory for participation. Fee once paid is non-refundable.

We cordially invite you to RC Boat, organised as part of techFEST'26 — Annual Technical Festival of SLIET. Showcase your talent, compete with the sharpest minds, and earn your moment of glory.

About the Event

The Surface Boat Race is a competitive technical event designed to challenge participants in the fields of engineering design, robotics, and innovation. Teams are required to conceptualise, fabricate, and operate a manually controlled, battery-powered boat capable of navigating a water-based obstacle course. This competition evaluates both the technical performance and creative ingenuity of each team's design.

Objective

Design and build a wirelessly controlled surface boat, powered solely by an onboard battery, capable of:

Navigating through a predefined aquatic arena
Completing the course in the shortest time possible
Demonstrating superior design, stability, and manoeuvrability

Boat Specifications

Must fit within a cuboid of 500 mm (L) × 200 mm (W) × 200 mm (H).
Only onboard power sources are permitted; external power inputs are strictly prohibited.
Must operate wirelessly; any wired control will result in disqualification.
Ready-made kits (e.g., LEGO kits) or commercially available models are not allowed.
Must include a clearly marked emergency stop mechanism.
No part of the boat may detach or be left behind in the arena during operation.
Boats must be free from corrosive, flammable, or hazardous substances.
All related documentation and calculations should be submitted alongside the boat for evaluation.

Arena Description

The race will take place in a swimming pool with clearly demarcated lanes and obstacles.
Each lane will be approximately 60 cm wide.

Competition Format

Two rounds will test different skill sets: control and precision in Round 1, and speed and efficiency in Round 2. Top-qualified teams must participate in both rounds.

Round 1: Navigate through a carefully designed obstacle course in the water arena, consisting of floating barriers, narrow passages, and fixed/variable-position obstacles.
Round 2: Complete a head-to-head or time-trial sprint in a straight or looped lane, with a clear water lane with minimal or no obstacles.

Rules and Regulations — General Rules

All participants must carry a valid college ID card and their techFEST'26 registration receipt.
Reporting time will be communicated to registered teams; late reporting may lead to a walkover.
The decision of the judges and organisers will be final and binding in all matters.
Any form of misconduct, plagiarism, or use of unfair means leads to immediate disqualification.
Participants are responsible for their own equipment and personal belongings.
Organisers reserve the right to modify any rule/PS at any time; updates are announced at the venue.
Laptops, PCs, or wireless-enabled devices are prohibited in the arena vicinity.
Any tampering with an opponent's boat or the arena will result in immediate disqualification.
Team size: 2–5 members.

Eligibility

Diploma and undergraduate students of any year and any branch from any recognised engineering college are eligible to participate.
Cross-college teams are welcome.

Why You Should Participate

RC Boat is more than a competition — it is a platform to test your skills against the brightest minds from institutes across the region, learn from judges and mentors, and build memories that last far beyond the festival. Winners take home cash prizes, trophies, and certificates that strengthen their resumes, while every participant leaves with experience, exposure, and connections. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a first-timer, the arena at techFEST'26 welcomes you.

About the Festival — techFEST'26 at SLIET

techFEST'26 is the annual technical festival of Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology (SLIET), Longowal, Punjab — a deemed-to-be university under the Ministry of Education, Government of India. Established in 1989, accredited with Grade A by NAAC, SLIET spreads across a lush 451-acre campus with 11 departments and more than 5,000 students. With a legacy of over 28 years, techFEST'26 — themed 'Technology and Sciences for Sustainable Earth' — features 50+ events across 11 clubs and a total prize pool of Rs 5,00,000+, along with workshops, exhibitions, guest lectures, and a grand cultural evening.

Festival Highlights at techFEST'26

50+ technical, non-technical, and cultural events across 11 clubs
Total prize pool worth Rs 5,00,000+
Grand cultural evening and pro-shows
Hands-on workshops, exhibitions, and expert guest lectures
Early-bird registration packages for participants from all institutes

Accommodation and Meals

Participants opting for the Rs 599 package receive hostel accommodation on campus for the duration of the festival. Accommodation is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and meal charges are applicable as per institute norms (approximately Rs 50 per diet). All participants must carry their registration receipts and a valid college ID card at all times while on campus.

Code of Conduct

Maintain discipline and decorum across the campus and all event venues.
Indiscipline or misbehaviour with volunteers, organisers, or fellow participants leads to disqualification.
Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or any intoxicants is strictly prohibited on campus.
Participants must not damage institute property; recovery costs may be charged.
Organisers reserve the right to remove any participant violating the code of conduct.

Refund and Cancellation Policy

The registration fee, once paid, is non-refundable under any circumstances. In case an event is cancelled by the organisers, registered participants will be accommodated in an alternative event where feasible.

How to Prepare

Read the event rules above carefully and prepare accordingly. Carry your own stationery, chargers, and any personal equipment mentioned in the rules. Reach the venue at least 30 minutes before your reporting time, and follow the official techFEST'26 social media handles for last-minute updates and announcements.

How to Reach SLIET

Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology is located at Longowal, District Sangrur, Punjab — well connected by road and rail. The nearest railway stations are Dhuri and Sangrur; the institute is a short taxi/bus ride from either. Ample parking and signboards guide visitors to the festival venues inside the campus.

Frequently Asked Questions

Students of any institute and any degree programme can participate.
The Rs 599 package provides on-campus hostel accommodation for outstation participants.
Cross-college teams are welcome in team events.
Every registered participant receives a participation certificate; winners receive trophies, cash prizes, and certificates of merit.
If an event's timing clashes with another registered event, participants can inform the event organisers at the help desk, and schedules will be adjusted wherever possible.
For event-specific equipment, participants should follow the relevant event rules; everything else is provided by the organisers.
A single techFEST'26 registration covers participation across all events, subject to event schedules.

Indicative Event Day Schedule

Reporting and verification: 30–45 minutes before the scheduled start
Participants' briefing and rules walkthrough by the event head
Competition rounds as described above, with short breaks between rounds
Results announcement and prize distribution at the venue, shortly after judging

Exact timings for each event are shared with registered participants over email/SMS and at the help desk. Keep an eye on the official social media handles for the final schedule.

Awards and Recognition

Winners and runners-up receive trophies and cash prizes as per the prize details above, along with certificates of merit. All participants receive e-certificates of participation. Outstanding performers may also get the opportunity to be featured on the official techFEST'26 social media handles and be considered for future flagship events at SLIET.

Safety and Fair Play Policy

techFEST'26 is committed to a safe, inclusive, and fair competition environment. Every event is supervised by faculty coordinators and trained student volunteers. First-aid support is available on campus throughout the festival. Any participant found violating safety instructions, tampering with equipment, or engaging in unfair practices will be disqualified and escorted out of the venue. Report any concern to the event head or the help desk immediately — your safety comes first.

Terms and Conditions

Participation in techFEST'26 events implies acceptance of all the rules mentioned above.
The organisers hold the right to use photographs and videos of the event for promotional purposes.
Prize money is distributed after the completion of the festival, post verification of winners.
In case of any dispute, the decision of the festival convenor shall be final and binding.
All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of courts at Sangrur, Punjab.

Prepare yourself for a journey of technology, creativity, and celebration.

Mark your calendars and be part of the magic of techFEST'26 at SLIET!

RC Boat