The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is poised to make history by hosting Asia’s first international Hyperloop competition, the Global Hyperloop Competition (GHC) 2025, scheduled from February 21 to 25, 2025. This landmark event is a collaborative effort between IIT Madras, IITM Pravartak, and SAEIndia, with support from the Ministry of Railways, Government of India.
The competition will take place at IIT Madras’s state-of-the-art Hyperloop test facility, a 450-meter test track located at the Thaiyur campus. This cutting-edge infrastructure has been developed with contributions from Indian Railways, ArcelorMittal, L&T, and Hindalco.
Hyperloop, often referred to as the fifth mode of transportation, involves high-speed trains traveling in near-vacuum tubes, significantly reducing air resistance and enabling speeds exceeding 1,000 km/h. The concept was popularized by Elon Musk in 2013 through his whitepaper “Hyperloop Alpha.”
Professor Satya Chakravarthy, Faculty Advisor for Hyperloop at IIT Madras, emphasized the broader vision of the competition: “The GHC is a testament to what students can achieve when given the right opportunities and platforms. Our vision goes beyond competition—we aim to inspire and equip the next generation to redefine what’s possible in transportation.”
By bringing together key Hyperloop stakeholders from the U.S., Europe, Turkey, and other parts of the world, the competition aims to accelerate the adoption of sustainable and ultra-fast transit systems. It will provide a global platform for students, researchers, and industry leaders to exchange ideas and expertise, inspiring the next generation of engineers and designers to envision and build the future of mobility.
Pranav Singhal, Student Head of Hyperloop at IIT Madras, highlighted the significance of the event: “The Global Hyperloop Competition exemplifies our mission to foster multidisciplinary collaboration and innovation in India. The 450-meter test track at Thaiyur is not just a milestone for IIT Madras but also a beacon for aspiring engineers worldwide, demonstrating the power of ingenuity and teamwork in shaping the future of mobility.”
The GHC 2025 is expected to attract teams from around the globe, all eager to showcase their innovations in Hyperloop technology. The event underscores India’s growing prominence in the field of advanced transportation systems and reflects IIT Madras’s commitment to fostering cutting-edge research and development.
For more information about the competition and participation details, interested parties can visit the official GHC website.
