FIRST® Tech Challenge – India Season 2026-27

Registrations now open!

About FIRST®  Tech Challenge

FIRST Tech Challenge students learn to think like engineers. Teams of 15-20 students design, build and program robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format against other teams. Robots are built from a reusable platform, powered by Android technology, and can be coded using a variety of levels of Java-based programming. Teams raise funds, design and market their team brand and do community outreach to earn specific awards. Each season concludes with an exciting FIRST Championship.

FIRST® Tech Challenge: Program Snapshot

Age 12 – 18 years old (Grades 7 – 12)*

15-20 students per team

Minimum of 2 coaches required per team

Registrations Are Now Open
Season kicks off September 13, 2026

Teams can be school or community-based

100+ teams nationally

Game includes a 30 second autonomous mode plus a 2 minute driver mode

Teams can use multiple coding languages including Python, Javascript, C++ and more

6 Qualifying Tournaments across India

1 National Championship in February 2027 (Pune, MH, India)

3 hour time commitment per week (approx)

Robot technology includes GoBilda, REV Robotics and many more.

FIRST® Tech Challenge India 2026-27 Season Calendar

Event TypeDatesCityTeam Capacity
FIRST Leadership Award – Nominations Open14th September 2026NANA
FIRST Leadership Award – Nominations Due15th December 2026NANA
Qualifier Tournament8th to 10th January 2027Ahmedabad & Hyderabad28
Qualifier Tournament15th to 17th January 2027Mumbai24
Qualifier Tournament22nd to 24th January 2027Delhi NCR24
Qualifier Tournament29th to 31st January 2027Bengaluru & Pune28
National Championship11th to 14th February 2027PuneTBD

FIRST® Tech Challenge India 2026-27 Team Registration Process

Step 1: Obtain Your Official FIRST Team Number

Before registering for FTC India 2026-27, every team must first create an account and register with FIRST® to obtain their official 6-digit International Team Number.

  1. Visit the official FIRST website – www.firstinspires.org
  2. Create or log in to your Team Dashboard account.
  3. Complete the team registration process.
  4. Your team will receive a unique 6-digit International Team Number.

Important: Your FTC India registration cannot be completed without a valid FIRST Team Number

Step 2: Register for an FTC India Regional Qualifier

After obtaining your 6-digit FIRST Team Number, proceed with the FTC India Regional Qualifier registration by completing the payment on this portal.

Registration Fees (Per Team – One Regional Qualifier)

Early Bird Offer: Teams completing registration before 31 July 2027 will receive a discount of ₹3,900 on the Regional Qualifier Registration Fee.

ParticularAmount
Registration Fee₹39,000
Early Bird Discount (Valid until 31 July 2027)₹3,900
Subtotal After Discount₹35,100
GST @ 18% ₹6,318
Total Payable₹41,418

Step 3: Complete Team Information Form

Upon successful payment, you will be automatically redirected to the FTC India Team Registration Form.

Please keep the following information ready:

  • Team Name
  • 6-Digit FIRST Team Number
  • School/Organization Name
  • Team Location (City & State)
  • Lead Coach/Mentor Details
  • Contact Email Address
  • Contact Phone Number
  • Team Member Information

Your registration will be considered complete only after both:

  1. Successful payment, and
  2. Submission of the Team Information Form.

National Championship Registration

Teams that successfully qualify from a Regional Qualifier to the FTC India National Championship will be required to complete a separate Championship Registration.

Championship Registration Fees

Registration Fee: ₹49,000

GST @ 18%: Extra

Applicable only to teams advancing from a Regional Qualifier to the National Championship.

Further details regarding Championship Registration will be shared with qualifying teams after Regional Qualifier results are announced.

Season Snapshot: 2026 – 2027

July 2026

Season Registrations Open

Team registrations open for the 2026–2027 season. Secure your spot early — places are limited and fill fast.

12th September 2026

Season Kickoff

The new 2026 – FTC Season Biobuzz launches September 12, marking the official kickoff where teams around the world tune in for the game reveal, rules and season challenge.

September 2026

September Onwards — Teams Prepare

FTC Teams prepare, design, and build innovative robots while developing critical skills in engineering, teamwork, and problem-solving.

January & February 2027

Tournament Season

Qualifying tournaments run across the country as teams compete to advance to the National Championship.

February 2027

National Championship

The nation’s top teams gather to compete for the title and a place at the World Championships.

April 28, 2027

World Championships

Champion teams represent the country on the global stage at the FIRST World Championships.

2026-2027 Season: BIOBUZZ

FIRST® Tech Challenge (ages 12-18 / grades 7-12) students work together with their mentors to design and build robots to compete in a dynamic and exciting challenge released every September.

Teams program classroom-scale robots to follow autonomous commands before student drivers take control in two-on-two matches. On and off the field, students develop STEM skills, engage in community outreach, practice engineering innovation, and build confidence to help them succeed.

Starting September 12, 2026FIRST Tech Challenge teams will amplify the excitement and energy found within the natural world during a new challenge.