Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced the second edition of its flagship design challenge, DesignXathon 2026, aimed at encouraging innovation and nurturing young automotive design talent in India. According to the company, applications for DesignXathon 2026 will remain open until July 13, 2026.
Following the success of the inaugural edition in 2025, the competition invites students pursuing design courses from Indian and global design institutes based in India to submit futuristic mobility concepts focused on the next generation of vehicle design.
For this year’s edition, participants have been asked to “Envision an iconic vehicle Gen Z and Alpha aspire to own in 2036.” Entries will be judged on their overall design vision for mobility solutions targeted at the 2035-2040 period, with evaluation parameters including vehicle category selection, relevance to Gen Z and Alpha lifestyles, sustainability integration and the connection between technology and design philosophy.
Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi said automotive design today extends far beyond aesthetics and increasingly represents a blend of innovation, creativity and fresh thinking that influences customer choices. He added that the first edition of the design challenge showcased the immense design talent available across the country and expressed confidence that young designers would continue to play a key role in shaping the future of mobility.
The company said the initiative is aimed at strengthening India’s design ecosystem while giving students practical exposure to automotive design processes and industry expectations.
The inaugural DesignXathon in 2025 received more than 400 entries from 70 Indian and global design institutes. Winning teams came from MIT Institute of Design, VIT Vellore and Strate School of Design, while eight students are currently undergoing six-month internships with the Maruti Suzuki design team.
For the 2026 edition, the top three teams will receive an opportunity to work closely with Maruti Suzuki’s design experts through a six-month internship programme. Teams ranked between fourth and tenth position will also receive recognition and an opportunity to apply for internships within the company’s automotive design studio environment.
