Maruti Suzuki India Limited has announced the second edition of its flagship design competition, DesignXathon 2026, aimed at encouraging innovation and supporting emerging automotive design talent in India.
Following the successful debut of the initiative in 2025, the company has once again invited students from Indian and international design institutes operating in India to participate in the competition by presenting concepts focused on future mobility solutions.
Through DesignXathon 2026, Maruti Suzuki aims to provide aspiring designers with a platform to showcase their creativity, technical thinking, and vision for next-generation transportation. The initiative reflects the company’s continued emphasis on nurturing young talent and promoting innovation within India’s automotive design ecosystem.
The design theme for DesignXathon 2026 encourages participants to ‘Envision an iconic vehicle, Gen Z and Alpha aspire to own in 2036.’ Entries will be evaluated on holistic design vision for the futuristic vehicle tailored for 2035-2040. Key assessment parameters will include choice of vehicle category, relevance to the lifestyle of Gen Z & Alpha customers, integration of sustainability, connection between design philosophy and technology.
Speaking on the announcement, Mr. Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India Limited said, “Automotive design goes far beyond aesthetics, it is a blend of innovation, creativity and fresh perspectives that not only captivates but also influences customer choices. The inaugural Maruti Suzuki Design Challenge offered a compelling glimpse into the immense design talent across the country. I am delighted to introduce the second edition of Maruti Suzuki Design Challenge, providing young designers with a platform to translate their bold ideas into reality along with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience through an internship with Maruti Suzuki.”
He added, “I strongly believe that young minds play a pivotal role in challenging conventional design thinking and shaping the future of mobility. Through DesignXathon, we aim to nurture emerging talent and lay the foundation of a strong design ecosystem in India.”
The first edition of DesignXathon received entries from over 400 students from 70 leading Indian and global design institutes who showcased their creativity, innovation, and bold thinking by designing a futuristic compact car. Winning teams belonged to MIT Institute of Design, VIT Vellore and Strate School of Design. Eight students are undergoing a 6-month internship with Maruti Suzuki design team.
To apply to Maruti Suzuki DesignXathon – CLICK LINK. Last date to submit applications is 13th July 2026.
Top three teams will gain hands-on experience working closely with industry experts, through a prestigious six-month internship opportunity with the Maruti Suzuki design team. Teams ranked fourth to tenth will also receive recognition and an opportunity to apply for an internship, enabling promising talent to further develop their design skills in a professional automotive studio environment.
