A Tech Odyssey into Space Exploration and Modern Engineering

Nestled in the serene Himalayas renowned for its strong academic culture, robust research, innovation spirit, and beauty of campus worth visiting, stands admist the ethereal mist of Shivaliks, the Indian Institute of Technology, Mandi is ready to host its annual technical festival Xpecto on 14-16 March 2026 under the guidance of our Convenor, Piyush Roy and Co-convenors, Ayush Sawarn, Parv Joshi and Parth Modi. 

Xpecto, the tech fest out of the 4 magnificent fests of IIT Mandi, lights up this hub of technology and creativity and provides an exceptional platform for young innovators, technologists, engineers and creative thinkers. It also provides a platform to connect and learn from people, foster mentorship and potential growth opportunities. 

Xpecto, once a student-led initiative, has now amplified to be one of the most resplendent technical gatherings in the Himalayas. It is entirely organized by the Science and Technology Council(SnTC), led by the Technical Secretary, Aryan Singh, with great enthusiasm. Various activities led by the highly interactive clubs of IIT Mandi during this time make this fest a tech odyssey. 

To bring in the zeal of techno verse, IIT Mandi also held a pre-fest Utkarsh for the students, comprising various groundbreaking activities such as Takeshi’s castle where robots made by students were competing to win, Vyartha Shastra brought up some of the most unique theories never questioned before and many more.

Every year, Xpecto becomes a medium of drawing participation from engineering aspirants and students from colleges across the nation. It is a golden ticket for students to explore ideas beyond the walls, collaborate with peers, work as a team, solve problems, showcase your talent and ideas, and enjoy the spirit of Tech Fest. 

This year of Xpecto has come with the theme “Space exploration and Modern Engineering” and invites you to think beyond the planet and imagine possibilities lying ahead. 

This theme celebrates the spirit of India to become a global space power and encourages modern engineering, advanced technology and sustainable innovation. 

At Xpecto’26, we’re aiming to contribute to the journey of understanding space, exploring how ideas and technology come together to shape the future of space exploration and unlock this mysterious universe. 

This three-day festival is projected to witness more than 1000 attendees, featuring more than 25 mind-boggling and electrifying events, including Robo Wars, RC plane etc challenging the limits of design and engineering. Astronomy-related events like Messier Marathon are perfect for minds intrigued by the stellar stars. 

Along with these also come mind-bending Hackathons, innovations of IIT Mandi, workshops, and conferences full of insights. Participants would also get to gain knowledge from TEDx sessions led by expert and experienced speakers, offering attendees both intellectual stimulation and memorable experiences. 

IIT Mandi invites you to be a part of the biggest Tech fest of the Himalayas, a celebration where creativity, collaboration and technology merge to push the boundaries of innovation.