CM Rekha urges youth to build Delhi 2.0
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Saturday called on young innovators to help build “Delhi 2.0” as she addressed thousands of participants at the ‘India Innovates 2026’ hackathon held at Bharat Mandapam.
Speaking at what was described as the world’s biggest hackathon, the Chief Minister said youth-led innovation will play a key role in shaping governance, cities, and society.
The event brought together over 5,000 selected participants from across the country, chosen from more than one crore applicants. “The energy, skills, and determination of our young people are India’s greatest strength,” the Chief Minister said. She added that India’s large youth population gives it a strong advantage in driving global progress.
The hackathon focused on themes such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and civic innovation.
Participants worked on solutions aimed at improving urban systems, strengthening democratic processes, and making public services more inclusive.
The Chief Minister said the young innovators present at the event were not just discussing ideas but actively building solutions.
“This generation can turn ideas into innovation and innovation into real impact,” she said. Highlighting the scale of participation, she said the selected candidates represent the future of India’s digital ecosystem.
“Their thinking will shape governance, society, and the economy in the coming years,” she said.
The Chief Minister outlined her vision of “Delhi 2.0” as a city driven by innovation and inclusion. She said technology must go hand in hand with trust and accessibility in governance. She also emphasised the need to connect innovation with real-world governance challenges. According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi Government is working towards integrating ideas generated by young innovators into its systems.
“The Government is committed to making public services more accessible, transparent, and effective by adopting innovation,” she said.
Officials said the hackathon serves as a platform for collaboration between young minds, policymakers, and industry experts. The solutions developed during the event are expected to address challenges in urban infrastructure, service delivery, and digital governance.
The Chief Minister encouraged participants to think beyond technology and focus on impact. She said innovation should aim to improve everyday life for citizens and strengthen institutions. She also highlighted the importance of inclusivity in innovation. She said solutions must benefit all sections of society and ensure equal access to opportunities.
Participants at the event included students, developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs from different parts of the country. Many projects focused on using AI and automation to improve public systems such as transport, healthcare, and education. Officials said the large number of applicants reflects growing interest among youth in solving civic and governance issues through technology.
