From an electricity-free air filter to river-saving diyas: Indian students develop solutions to everyday environmental problems

Nearly one million Indian students from more than 15,000 schools have participated in the inaugural I CAN Earthshot Challenge, developing solutions to environmental problems. Among the 15 shortlisted teams are Bengaluru students who built an electricity-free air filter using low-cost materials, while others tackled vehicle emissions, river pollution and waste management. Five winning teams will be announced in Mumbai on November 17, 2026, with each receiving US$2,000 to further develop their projects.