Energy Storage Innovation Leads Winners List at KPIT Shodh Awards 2026

Biplab Patra, Doctoral Researcher at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, received the Platinum Award for sodium ion battery research, while Ravi Pandit, Chairman of KPIT Technologies, said doctoral innovation in energy systems, artificial intelligence and advanced engineering is increasingly shaping future industrial technologies.

Advances in energy storage technologies and next generation engineering research were recognised at the seventh edition of the KPIT Shodh Awards, where doctoral researchers were honoured for work addressing some of the most significant global technology challenges.
The awards programme organised by KPIT Technologies recognises doctoral research across emerging domains including energy and climate, artificial intelligence, advanced materials and bioengineering. These areas are increasingly influencing the development of intelligent systems, sustainable energy solutions and advanced industrial technologies.

The 2026 edition attracted participation from more than 400 PhD scholars, with over 170 research submissions evaluated through a structured multi stage selection process conducted over the course of a year.
At the awards ceremony, Biplab Patra from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research received the Platinum Award worth INR 14 lakhs for his research titled Rational Design and Chemical Modulation of NASICON Electrodes for Fast Charging and Long Lasting Sodium Ion Batteries.

The Gold Award worth INR 12 lakhs was presented to Komal Jaiswal from the Indian Institute of Science Bangalore for the research project NanoPhotoCatalysis A New Dimension in Synthetic Chemistry.
The third prize of INR 5 lakhs was awarded to Aakash Ahuja from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay for his research on Low Cost and High Cycle Life Lithium Ion Battery Development.

The awards follow a year long evaluation framework designed to identify doctoral research aligned with evolving technological priorities. Submissions are assessed by senior leaders and subject matter experts from KPIT Technologies, while artificial intelligence tools support scale and consistency during the evaluation process.
In addition to scientific depth and originality, the evaluation considers long term technological relevance, translational potential and the ability of the research to address real world challenges across industries such as mobility, energy and advanced engineering.

Ravi Pandit, Chairman of KPIT Technologies, said, “The pace of transformation across artificial intelligence, energy systems and advanced engineering demands research that is both rigorous and deeply contextual. Researchers today are increasingly addressing challenges that industries are actively grappling with. Foundational research will play a defining role in shaping technologies that are robust, responsible and sustainable.”
The KPIT Shodh Awards aim to strengthen collaboration between academia and industry by recognising research that contributes to long term technological progress.
The programme reflects the growing importance of academic research in developing solutions related to clean energy systems, intelligent engineering platforms and emerging technologies that will influence the future of mobility and industrial innovation.

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