New Delhi: The Department of Textile & Fiber Engineering, IIT Delhi, has achieved a remarkable milestone at the Sanrachna 2026: Product Development & Design Hackathon, organized by TBD Campus in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles, Government of India, under the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM).

Among 700+ applicants and 31 finalists from across India, three research-driven innovations developed under the guidance of Prof. Harun Venkatesan, Textile & Fiber Engineering Dept., were recognized among the Top Three Innovative Ideas, highlighting IIT Delhi's excellence in translating advanced research into impactful, industry-ready technical textile solutions. The three inventors were felicitated by the Honourable Union Minister of Textiles, Shri Giriraj Singh, in recognition of their outstanding innovations and contributions to the advancement of technical textiles in India.

The second innovation, presented by Mr. Sudipto Behera and Mrs. Sukriti Baliyan (Ph.D. Scholars), focuses on an ultra-lightweight aerogel-based sleeping bag and mattress system for soldiers, disaster response teams, and mountaineers operating in extreme cold conditions. By integrating hydrophobic silica aerogel with multilayer functional textiles, the system provides thermal protection down to −60°C while remaining lightweight, breathable, waterproof, washable, and portable. The technology offers a high-performance indigenous alternative for defense and outdoor applications.

The third innovation, KISAN-SHIELD: Multifunctional Protective Textile for Indian Farmers, presented by Mr. Sambhaskar Singh (M.Tech. Graduate), addresses occupational hazards such as heat stress, UV radiation, rain, humidity, and insect exposure. The proposed multifunctional textile integrates passive thermal comfort, water resistance, UV protection, breathability, moisture management, and insect repellency into a single protective garment. It has been designed using aerogel-inspired insulation and solar radiation management principles; the technology aims to enhance farmers' safety, comfort, and productivity while promoting sustainable agricultural protective clothing.

The recognition of all three innovations among the top concepts at Sanrachna 2026 reinforces IIT Delhi's leadership in technical textiles and supports the vision of the National Technical Textiles Mission and Atmanirbhar Bharat by fostering globally competitive, industry-ready functional textile technologies.

The Grand Finale of the hackathon was held during Bharat Tex 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, from 14th to 17th July 2026, bringing together some of the country's most promising innovations in technical textiles.

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