• NAO one of the largest school-level automotive skill development initiatives globally.
• Three-day Olympiad featured masterclasses, hands-on skill challenges and industry exposure
New Delhi: Automotive Skills Development Council (ASDC) successfully conducted the National Automobile Olympiad (NAO) 2025 from December 17–19, 2025, at Toyota Kirloskar Motor’s manufacturing facility in Bidadi, Karnataka, in collaboration with CBSE, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) and the Toyota Technical Training Institute (TTTI). The initiative is aligned with the Skill India Mission and aims to inspire school students to explore future-ready careers in the automotive and mobility sector. The event was inaugurated by Mr. FR Singhvi, Mentor ASDC, Mr Padmanabha, Executive Vice President & Director, TKM and Mr. Arindam Lahiri, CEO, ASDC.
The Olympiad witnessed from 175 students participation from Classes VI to XII out of 188 shortlisted candidates, selected from an initial pool of over 1,36,000 students representing schools across India and UAE, making NAO one of the largest school-level automotive skill development initiatives globally.Closing ceremony of NAO was graced by Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson, ASDC, Mr. G. Shankara, Executive Vice President – Finance & Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, Dr. Biswajeet Saha, Director, Training & Skill Education, CBSE and Mr. Rama Shankar Pandey, Treasurer – ASDC setting the stage for an immersive automotive learning experience for participants. The event included industry masterclasses, two rounds of competitions that tested participants’ understanding of automotive systems, robotics, welding precision, technical problem-solving, future mobility concepts and hands-on training sessions led by industry experts.
Over the three days, students participated in industry-led masterclasses, competitive assessments and hands-on modules focusing on automotive fundamentals, robotics, welding precision, technical problem-solving, future mobility concepts and emerging technologies. On closing ceremony, Dr. Biswajeet Saha, Director, Training & Skill Education, CBSE, said: “We are delighted to see Toyota Kirloskar Motor hosting National Automobile Olympiad, which perfectly aligns with CBSE’s vision of experiential and skill-based learning. Events like this provide students with invaluable exposure to real-world automotive excellence and industry best practices. They also bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical application, inspiring young minds. We commend TKM for their commitment to nurturing future-ready talent and contributing to India’s skill development ecosystem.
Speaking on the closing ceremony, Mr. Vinkesh Gulati, Chairperson – ASDC, said: “National Automobile Olympiad is a powerful platform to spark curiosity and channel young talent toward the automotive sector. ASDC is committed to building a future-ready workforce, and collaborations such as this with Toyota Kirloskar Motor provide students early exposure to real-world industry practices. The enthusiasm and technical aptitude displayed by participants reaffirm our belief in India’s next generation of mobility professionals.” Mr. G. Shankara, Executive Vice President – Finance & Administration, Toyota Kirloskar Motor, added: “We are proud to collaborate with ASDC in nurturing young minds through NAO 2025. By offering experiential learning and access to world-class skilling infrastructure, we aim to inspire students to innovate and contribute meaningfully to the future of mobility while supporting the Skill India vision.”
The Olympiad concluded with a grand finale and winner announcement across categories:-
Winners – National Automobile Olympiad 2025
Grade 6–8
• 1st Place: Abeer Verma – The Oriental School, Bhopal
• 2nd Place: Aaradhy Pradhan – Amity International School, Ghaziabad
• 3rd Place: Dakhsh Kumawat – New Digamber Public School, Indore
Grade 9–10
• 1st Place: Anchit Sahai – Wisdom World School, Maharashtra
• 2nd Place: Arjun Annamalai – Sri Chaitanya School, Chennai
• 3rd Place: Mahatva Jain – Cambridge Court World School, Jaipur
Grade 11–12
• 1st Place: Nishanth Sudhakar – Chennai Public School
• 2nd Place: Vidhan Herpalani – Our Own High School, Dubai
• 3rd Place: Punith Kumar – Toyota Technical Training Institute, Bengaluru
As part of the Olympiad, selected students, along with over 150 parents and teachers, participated in an industry immersion featuring plant visits, TTTI and Gurukul exposure, industry interactions, and test-track experiences.
The Olympiad used a hybrid format, combining assessments with hands-on learning, and introduced students to hybrid vehicles, data science, and AR/VR tools for future mobility careers.
