Delhi CM Rekha Gupta exhorts young innovators to help build ‘Delhi 2.0’

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday attended the ‘India Innovates 2026 – World’s Biggest Hackathon’ at Bharat Mandapam and urged young innovators to play a leading role in shaping the Capital’s future through technology and civic driven solutions.

The large-scale event brought together thousands of participants and delegates from across the country, with this year’s theme centred on artificial intelligence, robotics and civic innovation.

Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister highlighted the transformative potential of youth-led innovation in governance and society.

Calling on participants to contribute to the vision of a modern and progressive capital, Gupta encouraged them to help build ‘Delhi 2.0’, a city-driven by innovation, inclusion and trust.

She noted that the participants were not only engaging with emerging technologies, but were also working on practical solutions aimed at improving cities, strengthening democratic processes and making society more inclusive and efficient.

Describing India’s youth as a defining force, Gupta said, “The energy, skills and determination of our young people from every corner of the country are India’s greatest strength.” She added that with a majority young population, India is well positioned to achieve new milestones globally.

Emphasising the scale and competitiveness of the hackathon, the Chief Minister pointed out that over 5,000 participants were selected from among more than one crore applicants. She said the pool of innovators represented the future of India’s digital ecosystem and will significantly influence governance, society and the economy in the coming years.

She underlined the Delhi government’s commitment to incorporating innovative ideas into governance. According to her, efforts are being made to ensure that public services become more accessible, transparent and effective by leveraging technology and youth driven solutions.