ASDC, CBSE launch National Automobile Olympiad 2026 to promote mobility careers among students

The competition will be conducted in English and Hindi and will follow a three-tier format covering three student categories — Classes VI–VIII, IX–X, and XI–XII. Registrations for the first round will remain open until June 30 through the official NAO portal.

“>

The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) and Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) have launched the fifth edition of the National Automobile Olympiad (NAO) 2026, aimed at encouraging school students to explore careers in India’s automotive and mobility sectors amid rapid technological changes in the industry.

The Olympiad, open to students from Classes VI to XII across all education boards, seeks to introduce industry-oriented skills and practical exposure at an early stage in line with the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP), which focuses on experiential and multidisciplinary learning.

This year’s edition is themed “Skilled Hands, Strong Nation: Building India’s Automotive Future”, with organisers highlighting the growing demand for a skilled workforce as India expands its automotive manufacturing and mobility ecosystem, including electric vehicles, AI-driven technologies, and advanced manufacturing.

According to ASDC Chairperson Vinkesh Gulati, the initiative is intended to create awareness among students about emerging opportunities in the mobility sector as the industry becomes increasingly technology-driven.

The competition will be conducted in English and Hindi and will follow a three-tier format covering three student categories — Classes VI–VIII, IX–X, and XI–XII. Registrations for the first round will remain open until June 30 through the official NAO portal.

The final round of the Olympiad is scheduled to be held at the Manesar facility of Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India Pvt. Ltd. in Gurugram.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Biswajit Saha said India is increasingly emerging as a hub for automotive innovation and stressed the importance of introducing students to mobility technologies and digital skills at the school level.

ASDC Vice Chairperson Prabhu Nagaraj said the Olympiad aims to connect classroom education with industry requirements, particularly as the sector shifts towards artificial intelligence, sustainability, and next-generation mobility technologies.

The virtual launch event was attended by representatives from industry and education sectors, including officials from Sansera Engineering Ltd., school principals, parents, and participants from previous editions of the competition.