The Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) successfully hosted the National Automobile Olympiad (NAO) 2025 from December 17–19, 2025. The event took place at Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s (TKM) manufacturing facility in Bidadi, Karnataka. It was organised in collaboration with CBSE, TKM, and the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI).
Aligned with the Skill India Mission, the initiative aims to inspire school students to explore future-ready careers in the automotive and mobility sector.
The Olympiad was inaugurated by Mr. FR Singhvi, Mentor – ASDC, Mr. Padmanabha, Executive Vice President & Director – TKM, and Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO – ASDC.
One of the Largest School-Level Automotive Initiatives
Notably, NAO is among the largest school-level automotive skill development initiatives globally. This year, 175 students from Classes VI to XII participated. They were shortlisted from an initial pool of over 1,36,000 students from schools across India and the UAE.
Meanwhile, the closing ceremony was graced by Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson – ASDC, Mr. G. Shankara, Executive Vice President – Finance & Administration, TKM, Dr. Biswajeet Saha, Director – Training & Skill Education, CBSE, and Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, Treasurer – ASDC.
Three Days of Learning and Competition
Over three days, students took part in industry masterclasses, competitive assessments, and hands-on sessions. These activities tested their understanding of automotive systems, robotics, welding precision, technical problem-solving, and future mobility concepts.
In addition, experts led modules on emerging technologies, giving students practical exposure to real-world applications. As a result, participants gained deeper insights into modern automotive careers.
Leaders Share Their Perspectives
During the closing ceremony, Dr. Biswajeet Saha said,
“We are delighted to see Toyota Kirloskar Motor hosting NAO, which aligns perfectly with CBSE’s vision of experiential and skill-based learning. Such initiatives bridge classroom learning with practical exposure and inspire young minds.”
Similarly, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati added,
“NAO is a powerful platform to spark curiosity and guide young talent toward the automotive sector. Moreover, partnerships like this offer early exposure to industry practices and help build a future-ready workforce.”
Furthermore, Mr. G. Shankara noted,
“We are proud to collaborate with ASDC in nurturing young minds. By offering experiential learning and world-class infrastructure, we aim to inspire innovation while supporting the Skill India vision.”
Winners – National Automobile Olympiad 2025
Grade 6–8
• 1st: Abeer Verma – The Oriental School, Bhopal
• 2nd: Aaradhy Pradhan – Amity International School, Ghaziabad
• 3rd: Dakhsh Kumawat – New Digamber Public School, Indore
Grade 9–10
• 1st: Anchit Sahai – Wisdom World School, Maharashtra
• 2nd: Arjun Annamalai – Sri Chaitanya School, Chennai
• 3rd: Mahatva Jain – Cambridge Court World School, Jaipur
Grade 11–12
• 1st: Nishanth Sudhakar – Chennai Public School
• 2nd: Vidhan Herpalani – Our Own High School, Dubai
• 3rd: Punith Kumar – Toyota Technical Training Institute, Bengaluru
Industry Immersion and Future Skills
In addition to competitions, selected students joined over 150 parents and teachers for an industry immersion programme. This included plant visits, TTTI and Gurukul exposure, industry interactions, and test-track experiences.
Moreover, the Olympiad followed a hybrid format, combining assessments with hands-on learning. Students were introduced to hybrid vehicles, data science, and AR/VR tools, preparing them for future mobility careers.