Research on next-generation sodium-ion batteries received the top honor at the seventh edition of the KPIT Shodh Awards, which recognize doctoral research across emerging technology fields.
KPIT Technologies announced the winners of the 2026 awards, which focus on research aligned with areas such as artificial intelligence, energy and climate, advanced materials, and bioengineering. The program received participation from more than 400 PhD scholars, with over 170 doctoral research submissions.
Biplab Patra of the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) received the Platinum Award, which carries a prize of ₹14 lakh, for research titled “Rational Design and Chemical Modulation of NASICON Electrodes for Fast-Charging and Long-Lasting Na-ion Batteries.”
The Gold Award, with a prize of ₹12 lakh, was awarded to Komal Jaiswal of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore for the project “NanoPhotoCatalysis: A New Dimension in Synthetic Chemistry.” The third prize of ₹5 lakh went to Aakash Ahuja from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay for the project “Low-Cost and High Cycle Life Li-ion Battery Development.”
According to KPIT Technologies, the awards follow a year-long, multi-stage evaluation process in which research themes are selected to reflect evolving technological priorities. Submissions are reviewed by the company’s leadership and subject matter experts, with evaluation criteria including scientific originality, long-term technological relevance and potential real-world applications.
Ravi Pandit, chairman of KPIT Technologies, said the submissions reflected increasing alignment between academic research and industry challenges, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence, energy systems and advanced engineering.
The KPIT Shodh Awards aim to encourage collaboration between academia and industry and recognize research addressing complex technological challenges.
