Mitsubishi Electric India staged the sixth Mitsubishi Electric Cup in Pune on 21 February 2026, returning after a five-year gap as a two-day national level automation competition under the theme Automating the World through Digital Innovation. The event featured 35 selected teams in a finale and felicitation at Dr Vishwanath Karad MIT-WPU and followed virtual registration that began in July 2025. The call for proposals yielded 288 submissions from 140 institutions across 19 states and two Union Territories, reflecting broad national interest.

Participating teams received mentorship from Mitsubishi Electric India’s technical team and access to essential factory automation products including programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces, servo motors, variable frequency drives and CNC units to develop smart manufacturing solutions. Organisers said the competition encouraged students to design, build and demonstrate working models rooted in the e-F@ctory concept, promoting Industry 4.0 techniques and sustainability in application domains ranging from IoT and energy efficient automation to AgriTech and waste management. All teams were provided with hands-on technical support during development.

Team Nexus AI from Sona College of Technology in Tamil Nadu emerged as the winner and will receive Rs. 0.1 million (mn) and a winner trophy, while Recycron from MKSSS Cummins College of Engineering for Women, Pune was adjudged second and awarded Rs. 0.075 mn and a runner-up trophy. Pegasus from COEP Technological University, Pune placed third and received Rs. 0.05 mn and a trophy. The top 15 teams received appreciation prizes of Rs. 0.01 mn each together with certificates and all participating teams were issued participation certificates. The winning team will represent Mitsubishi Electric India at the global MECA competition.

Judges evaluated entries on system design and overall presentation, focusing on innovation, safety, digitalisation and demonstration of factory automation knowledge. Mitsubishi Electric India noted the initiative supports national skill development and industry ready talent.