As many as ten Hyperloop teams, comprising 200 students of newly-founded and experienced teams, are competing in the Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) 2025 being organised by Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras). The event will host 150 industry delegates from across the world, representing the mobility, research, and hyperloop sectors.
It is Asia’s first international Hyperloop competition being held from February 21 to 25 at ‘Discovery,’ IIT Madras’ Satellite Campus located in Thaiyur, about 36 km from the main campus. GHC 2025 is set to position India at the heart of hyperloop innovation. It is aimed at uniting global talent, industry leaders, and researchers, fostering collaboration, innovation, and real-world implementation of hyperloop technology, says a release.
The competition is being conducted by IIT Madras, IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation and SAE India, with additional support from the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
Hyperloop is a high-speed train that travels in a near-vacuum tube. The reduced air resistance allows the capsule inside the tube to reach speeds of more than 1000 km/h.
Addressing the inaugural event, Pankaj Sharma, Principal Executive Director, Railway Board, said, “This event is not only a celebration of innovation but also a testament to how India is emerging as a leader in transportation technology.”
A key objective of the event is to showcase and propagate hyperloop concepts worldwide, fostering a transformative spirit among young minds in the field of transportation. The competition will be held at IIT Madras’ unique Hyperloop test infrastructure, a facility built with the support of Indian Railways, ArcelorMittal, L&T and HindalCo.
Satya Chakravarthy, Faculty Advisor, Hyperloop IIT Madras, said, the competition is a testament to India’s growing leadership in hyperloop innovation. By bringing together young innovators, industry leaders, and researchers, we are fostering a collaborative ecosystem that will accelerate the future of ultra-fast, sustainable mobility. IIT Madras is proud to be at the center of this transformation.”
The competition will feature three primary competition categories – Pod Demonstration (showcasing functional hyperloop pod prototypes); Hyperloop InnoQuest (a case study challenge exploring hyperloop technology and implementation) and DesignX (a platform for teams to present innovative hyperloop designs), the release said.
