Arjit Amol More, a school student from Maharashtra, has been named among the three national winners of the ‘One Innovation – Towards a Self-Reliant India’ challenge organised by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) in collaboration with MyGov under the India International Science Festival (IISF) 2025.
The nationwide challenge was announced by Union Minister of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr Jitendra Singh, inviting students, startups and young innovators to develop practical ideas aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Out of 1,062 entries received from across the country, only three innovators were selected. Arjit emerged as the sole winner from Maharashtra, bringing recognition to the state and to his school, Swami Vivekanand High School, Chembur, Mumbai.
A Dr Homi Bhabha Balvaidnyanik Gold Medalist, Arjit is widely known as ‘Littlentist’ (Little Scientist). He is also the author of ‘Jigyasa: From Curiosity to Clarity’, inspired by his ‘One Day as a Scientist’ visit to the CSIR–National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune.
Arjit’s winning innovation, Illumbrella 2.0, is a movable solar-powered system designed for street vendors, farmers and households. It converts an umbrella-based structure into a portable solar unit providing lighting, mobile charging and basic power, reducing dependence on conventional electricity sources.
The innovation emphasises affordability, mobility and real-world usability, particularly for workers in informal sectors. The Illumbrella concept has also received academic attention, with Arjit publishing two research papers outlining its design, feasibility and social impact.
Officials said initiatives like the One Innovation Challenge underline the growing role of school-level innovators in India’s scientific ecosystem and reflect how student-led research and grassroots innovation are contributing to national development goals.
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