College life is more than attending lectures, completing assignments, enjoying time at the cafeteria and appearing for examinations. It is meant to be enjoyed, but in a meaningful way, so students can discover themselves, explore new interests, build connections and gain skills that shape their future. Some events are once-in-a-lifetime moments that bring people together, where students from different backgrounds get to experience so much in one place. K.R. Mangalam University’s flagship event, IDEAS 4.0, is one such event, bringing together innovation, competition and culture on one stage.

K.R. Mangalam University (KRMU), Gurugram, is hosting IDEAS 4.0, its annual carnival, on 27-28 October 2026. The event brings innovation, technology, academics and culture together on one platform. With 25+ competitions, 120+ exhibition stalls and a prize pool of over ₹10 lakh, the festival gives students a chance to explore their interests beyond the classroom.

Whether students love coding, robotics, entrepreneurship, design, public speaking or cultural performances, there is something for everyone to discover in one place.

What is IDEAS 4.0?

IDEAS 4.0 at KRMU is the fourth edition of the university’s flagship innovation carnival. IDEAS stands for Innovation, Distinctiveness, Extension, Achievements and Skill-Based Learning. The event is held every year to encourage creativity, hands-on learning, teamwork and the exchange of ideas among students, universities and startups.

The festival has grown with each edition, from IDEAS 1.0 in 2023 to IDEAS 2.0 in 2024 and IDEAS 3.0 in 2025. Every edition has strengthened its focus on innovation, student participation and interdisciplinary learning. The 2026 edition brings together technology-driven competitions, the AI Arena, the Innoverse exhibition zone and expert-led workshops and masterclasses.

Participants can explore different fields, showcase their skills and connect with people who share their interests. For students, the experience goes beyond winning a competition. It is about gaining knowledge and skills they can apply in the real world.

IDEAS 4.0 Date and Venue

If you are planning to participate in IDEAS 4.0, you must keep the following details in mind:

• Event Date: 27–28 October 2026
• Venue: K.R. Mangalam University, Sohna Road, Gurugram, Haryana
• Prize Pool: More than ₹10 lakh
• Competitions: 25+ competitions across multiple categories

IDEAS 4.0 is expected to welcome over 25,000 participants, including school and university students from Delhi-NCR and across India, as well as startups and innovators.

Also Read: Evaluating Robotics As A Career Domain

What Makes IDEAS 4.0 Special?

What sets IDEAS 4.0 apart is how it brings technology, creativity, academics and entertainment together under one roof. Instead of limiting students to a single subject or activity, it gives people with different interests a space to learn and work together. Practical learning meets friendly competition at every turn.

A student who loves technology can code, build and battle robots, or take on AI challenges in the AI Arena. Those drawn to culture and design can try creative activities and stage performances. Students with an entrepreneurial streak can pitch business ideas, explore startup stalls and learn from industry experts.

The carnival also features Innoverse, a large exhibition zone where student teams, startups and innovators showcase their products and ideas side by side. Walking through it, visitors see how different people approach the same problems and arrive at very different solutions.

The idea behind IDEAS 4.0 is simple: learning works best when it is hands-on. When students get the chance to experiment, create, share and work in teams, what they learn stays with them.

What Can You Explore at IDEAS 4.0?

You can explore different themes at IDEAS 4.0, including the following:

Robotics & AI Challenges

The tech-savvy students who are keen to explore coding and technology can opt for this event. There’s artificial intelligence, drone technology, and coding-based exercises. Featured competitions include Robo War, Robots Race, Drone Race and more.

One Day Hackathon

The one-day hackathon is based on the concept of developing solutions within a limited time. The participants have to work on a problem and are required to use their knowledge and skills to find the solutions. 

IDEATHON

It focuses on generating and developing ideas to find a solution to a particular problem instead of creating and concentrating mainly on building one software product. Participants usually begin by identifying a need and proposing a solution.

Innoverse: The Exhibition Zone

As the name suggests, it is an exhibition and showcase area of the festival. It focuses on student projects, startup demonstrations, tech products & services, and exchange of ideas. Visitors can find all of these activities in more than 120 canopies.

Academic and Creative Activities

The event also includes activities that encourage communication, critical thinking, learning and development, as well as design and creativity. The best example of these activities includes debate competitions, creative textile activities, soap carving, and also short-form reel making.

Cultural Events

The cultural events bring different kinds of vibes to the event, along with some lights and sparkles. The activities include dance competitions, stage performances, and others that give students a stage to express themselves. 

IDEAS 4.0 Prize Pool: What Can Participants Win?

The total prize pool for IDEAS 4.0 is ₹10 lakh+, distributed across its competitions. It gives participants extra motivation to prepare well and put their skills to the test. However, the overall pool is not the prize for any single competition. The amount awarded to winners varies by event and is set by each competition’s rules.

Also Read: Game Design Courses: Learn to Build Games from Scratch

Spotlight Activities

Here is a list of spotlight activities available at IDEAS 4.0:

Crime Scene Investigation Game

Crime Scene Investigation Game is a simulated investigation in which participants search for and document evidence, prepare crime scene sketches, analyse clues and witness statements, and build criminal profiles to identify the culprit.

Robots Race

A robotic sprint built on purpose to feature turns, straight runs, obstacles, and ramps. The robots are supposed to follow the track without skipping the check points. The participants will be evaluated on the basis of speed, design, navigation, and technical complexity.

RoboWar (AI Arena)

Robo War is a high-energy robotics gaming arena where student-built robots compete head-to-head in Sumo Battle, Robo Soccer and Task Arena challenges. Participants design, program and control their machines to outmanoeuvre opponents through strength, strategy and agility.

React to the Situation

A one-minute spontaneous speech challenge based on legal and ethical dilemmas, covering cybercrime, equality and professional ethics. Participants must think and respond on the spot, building quick thinking, legal reasoning, confidence and responsible citizenship.

Button Masala

Sounds fancy, no? A zero-waste fashion technique that uses buttons and elastic bands to shape garments without cutting or stitching. Through a hands-on workshop-to-contest format, participants explore innovation, sustainability and original design thinking.

Imprint: Art of Hand Block Printing

A hands-on introduction to traditional hand block printing, covering block design, colour preparation and fabric selection. Participants create their own textile designs while exploring Indian textile heritage through a blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design.

Soap Carving: The Carved Expression

The activity is as exciting as it sounds, turning your regular soap into something beautiful. This is a creative art of changing ordinary soap bars into a detailed sculpture. Participants are free to carve anything they imagine, showcasing creativity, patience and precision.

Debate Competition

A two-day debate with a fresh motion each day. Participants compete as For Speaker, Against Speaker or Interjector, developing argumentation, questioning, rebuttal, communication and critical-thinking skills.

ReelBaaz

As the name suggests, it is a content creation challenge where students have to create short-form video bytes or reels of 30 to 60 seconds on the given theme. Entries are judged on creativity, originality and storytelling, and must follow the submission guidelines and community standards.

Group Dance

Three to eight students participate together for a group dance; hip-hop, fusion and many more genres are welcome.

Debate Competition

Students participate in a two-day debate competition, with each day starting fresh; they must argue both for and against the speaker, developing their communication skills and critical thinking along the way.

Science and Puzzle on the AI theme

An AI-themed science quiz and puzzle challenge held in multiple rounds. The first two rounds are team-based and the final round is individual, sharpening scientific awareness and problem-solving.

Poster/Collage Making Competition

It’s a visual competition of visual arts which encourages participants to depict cyber law and digital safety themes such as online frauds, data privacy, cyber crimes, and social media’s impact on the youth through an original collage or poster.

Drone Race (AI Arena)

It is a competition where manual or remote-controlled drones have to navigate a market obstacle course of hoops and zigzag poles. Drones are judged on the basis of compactness, efficiency, and design as well as precision; the fastest one to reach the destination wins.

AgriTech (AI Smart Farming)

A farming innovation competition where students design and present models using IoT, sensors, drones, automation, AI-based precision agriculture and smart irrigation. The event highlights technology-driven solutions that improve productivity, sustainability and profitability for farmers.

Zero Waste Innovation

A team competition that encourages original and ethical solutions for waste reduction, recycling, reuse and sustainability. Teams present prototypes that address real-world challenges, followed by a short Q&A with the judges.

Tech Treasure Hunt

As the name suggests, it is a treasure hunt where the students or participants are required to solve puzzles and riddles across checkpoints to locate a hidden treasure. The event develops teamwork, problem-solving, logical thinking, and observation skills in a fast-paced technology-themed challenge.

Duet Dance

A couple or pairs take the stage to showcase their dancing skills, rhythm, coordination, and creative expression through the medium of dance. Performances will be judged on choreography, energy, synchronisation and overall stage presence.

One Day Hackathon

An innovation challenge for school students to turn creative ideas into working solutions using AI, machine learning, generative AI, robotics and IoT. It begins with an online ideation round, followed by an offline demonstration in the AI Arena.

Robo Soccer

A robotic football match where two teams of robots compete to score goals. Each team fields 3-5 robots, one of which acts as goalkeeper. Robots must meet safety requirements for battery, voltage and infrared emissions, and matches are held under supervision.

IDEAS 4.0 Registration

The value of IDEAS 4.0 goes beyond the activities scheduled over two days. It gives students a chance to try something unfamiliar and discover where their strengths lie. 

Registering is simple: Click here to register 

Conclusion

IDEAS 4.0 at KRMU gives students a stage to showcase their talent, from tech innovation to cultural performance. Scheduled for 27-28 October 2026 at K.R. Mangalam University, Gurugram, it features 25+ competitions, 120+ exhibition stalls and a prize pool of over ₹10 lakh. Whether you want to compete, create or simply explore, this is a chance to learn by doing and discover what you are capable of. Register now and be part of IDEAS 4.0.