The World Robot Olympiad (WRO) is a global stage where students harness the rapidly evolving power of robotics to tackle real-world problems. For the 2026 challenge, we urge participants to look beyond purely technical applications and consider how robotics can become a vital tool to express, preserve, and share the unique heritage, arts, and human stories that form the very foundation of global culture and identity.
Teams of 2-3 Students in the same age group led by an adult coach can choose to participate in any one of the four WRO® Competition categories namely RoboMission, Future Innovators, RoboSports, and Future Engineers, depending on the interests, knowledge and skills, and strengths of the students and coach on the team.
Note: This year, each school is eligible for one free team registration under the Future Innovators Category. Additionally, the first 15 teams to register under the Future Engineers category will receive free entry.
Here’s the entire season flow and event-wise schedule, which will walk you through all the important events.
Different Challenges | Different Age Groups | Different Learnings
Each competition category has its own unique age groups, rules and guidelines, and team compositions that makes the challenges fun, exciting, and super diverse.
All teams should carefully read their chosen competition category’s general rules and guidelines.
Also, read the progression and qualification criteria for your chosen competition category.
The WRO India Regional Championship is an exciting stage of the competition where young innovators from across the country come together in their respetced regions to present their robotics solutions and compete for a spot at the National Championship.
Each year, Regional events are hosted across multiple cities, providing students with a platform to showcase creativity, technical skills, and teamwork in a competitive yet inspiring environment.
For the 2026 season, the list of host cities and event dates is yet to be announced. Stay tuned for updates as we prepare to reveal the Regional Championship schedule soon.
Team size: 2-3 students in the same age group lead by an adult coach. Teams can also choose to have a team manager and multiple sponsors to fund their projects, registration fees, and overall WRO journey.
Hardware: Free choice
Software: Free choice
Maximum size: Max. 250 x 250 x 250 mm
Characteristics: Build and program a robot that solves challenges on a field.
Students must design, construct and program an autonomous robot that can solve specific challenges on a field. Because the field is set up randomly each round, the robot needs to be able to make its own decisions during the run.
Entry Point: Regional Championship (Level 2)
Fee: INR 20,000/Team
Age: Elementary: 8-12 | Junior: 11-15 | Senior: 14-19
Team Size: 2-3 students in the same age group lead by an adult coach. Teams can also choose to have a team manager and multiple sponsors to fund their projects, registration fees, and overall WRO journey.
Hardware: Free choice
Software: Free choice
Maximum size: Must fit into the allocated space
Characteristics: Develop a robot project that helps solve real world problems.
Students create their own innovative intelligent robotics solution relating to the theme of the season. There is no restriction on the use of materials. This includes free choice of controllers, motors, sensors, etc.
Teams will present their project and their robot model to a group of judges on the competition day. The judges will not only grade the robot solution but will also look at aspects of innovation and entrepreneurship.
For all specific rules and regulations refer to the General Rules for this category.
Entry Point: Virtual Championship (Level 1)
Event – 1
Last Date: 06 Dec, 2025
Fees: INR 7000/Team
Please Note: Registration for one team per school is FREE. Steps to register FREE team are mentioned in the registration portal.
Age: 11-19
Team Size: 2-3 students in the same age group lead by an adult coach. Teams can also choose to have a team manager and multiple sponsors to fund their projects, registration fees, and overall WRO journey.
Hardware: Free Choice*
Software: Free choice
Maximum size: Max. 200 x 200 x 200 mm
Characteristics: Teams design 2 robots that compete with robots of another team.
With the WRO® RoboSports category we introduce a fun and exciting game where two teams each have two autonomous robots on the field playing a sports game.
The game changes every 3 or 4 years and the current game is Double Tennis. Each year little changes are introduced to motivate the students to keep on developing their robots.
Note: There are some specific hardware restrictions, please refer to general rules and check the update section for the comparision.
All RoboSports category teams start directly at the national championship (Level 3) and must qualify per the criteria for the international championship (Final Level).
All teams will directly participate in the national championship. There will be a maximum of 20 slots.
Entry Point: National Championship (Level 3)
Fee: INR 20,000/Team
Age: 14-22
Team size: 2-3 students in the same age group lead by an adult coach. Teams can also choose to have a team manager and multiple sponsors to fund their projects, registration fees, and overall WRO journey.
Hardware: Free choice
Software: Free choice
Maximum size: Max. 30 x 20 x 30cm
Characteristics: Advanced robotics following current research trends.
With WRO® Future Engineers we created an exciting category for older students. With this new format, we want to bring the current research challenge into schools and teach students an engineering workflow by solving real-world-problems. Teams can use any robot, controller and materials that are in line with the regulations.
The game changes every 3 or 4 years and the current game is all about autonomous driving. The challenge is to build a robot with a steering drive that can drive around a track autonomously. Each year little changes are introduced to motivate the students to keep on developing their robots.
For all specific rules and regulations refer to the General Rules for this category.
All Future Engineers category teams start directly at the national championship (Level 3) to qualify per the criteria for the international championship (Final Level).
All teams will directly participate in the national championship. There will be a maximum of 50 slots.
Entry Point: National Championship (Level 3)
Fees: INR 20,000/Team
Season 2026 welcomes all students and coaches with their robotics solutions, parents and STEM & robotics enthusiasts, to a series of robotics events at various different stages of progression for different competition category to filter out the best teams and their robotics solutions at a virtual, regional, and a national level to present those solutions on a global level.
At All Championships, virtual, regional, and national, teams will receive 1st, 2nd, and 3rd position awards (Gold, Silver, and Bronze Medals & E-certificates for all the students and their coach).
Rest of the participants and coaches get recognition in the following manner:-
% of Total Points |
Certificate |
< 25% |
Participation |
25-50% |
Bronze Badge |
50-75% |
Silver Badge |
> 75% |
Gold Badge |
Fill in your contact details to enquire about the World Robot Olympiad India Chapter, its various competition categories, details related to the levels of progression in the season 2026.
If your query is urgent please feel free to contact us at the WRO India Helpdesk
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