NEW DELHI: India’s most promising eXtended Reality (XR) innovators are set to dazzle the global stage at the upcoming World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) in Mumbai from May 1 to 4. The winners of the XR Creator Hackathon, part of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Create in India Challenge (CIC), were announced in a live-streamed ceremony, celebrating cutting-edge solutions across education, healthcare, tourism, e-commerce, and entertainment.
The nationwide hackathon, held in collaboration with Wavelaps, received over 2,200 registrations and witnessed strong participation from Tier 2 and 3 cities like Chengalpet, Manipal, and Veraval. A majority of the finalists were students (53%), with women comprising nearly one-fifth of the final list—a sign of rising diversity in India’s immersive tech space.
Meet the Winning Teams and Their XR Projects
- Eduscape XR – Educational Transformation (Team: XR Runners, IIT Kharagpur)
A VR-based science lab enabling students to perform immersive experiments in physics, chemistry, and biology using hand-tracking and AI feedback. The project addresses the lack of lab access in schools across India.
“We wanted to revolutionize science education by offering practicals in virtual reality,” said team lead Vedanta Hazra.
- Cognihab – Healthcare, Fitness & Well-being (Team: Cognihab)
An XR-powered platform aiding recovery from stroke, lazy eye, and anxiety through targeted rehabilitation modules.
“We focused on real medical outcomes and the hackathon refined our approach,” said founder Rishab Kapur.
- Immersive Travel Guide – Immersive Tourism (Team: LumeXR)
A mixed-reality tourism app offering 3D maps, drone-based photogrammetry, and cultural storytelling to help users “feel” destinations before booking.
“It’s not just a travel tool—it’s immersive storytelling,” noted Savio, team lead.
- Heaven Estate – E-Commerce & Retail (Team: EMO)
An AR/3D platform where homeowners can preview interior design ideas and collaborate with verified designers in real-time.
“We wanted to bridge the gap between design professionals and homeowners,” said Utkarsh Rai, team lead.
- Game of Dimensions – Digital Media & Entertainment (Team: Youth Buzz)
A cross-platform multiplayer tactical war game playable on both VR headsets and mobile devices.
“Our goal was to unify the gaming experience across devices and realities,” said lead developer Mohit Kumar Sharma.
Empowering Digital India Through XR
The XR Creator Hackathon was supported by key players like BharatXR and XDG, and is part of a larger government push to position India as a global hub for immersive technologies. The WAVES Summit will offer these young innovators the opportunity to present their work to global investors, industry leaders, and tech giants.
“The XR Creator Hackathon is not just about innovation—it’s about building the future of digital India,” said Ashutosh Kumar, CEO of Wavelaps.
About WAVES Summit 2025
WAVES—World Audio Visual & Entertainment Summit—is India’s flagship event to celebrate its rising prominence in media and entertainment. The summit will cover domains including broadcasting, print, films, gaming, comics, digital media, AR/VR, and generative AI.
Set to take place in Mumbai from May 1 to 4, WAVES will be a one-stop platform for creators, investors, industry professionals, and tech innovators to connect and collaborate.
