The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna has kicked off its annual techno-management festival, Celesta 2026, on 30 October, bringing together technology enthusiasts, innovators, students and creative minds for a three-day celebration of technology, innovation, knowledge and entertainment. The opening day set an energetic tone for the festival, featuring an inauguration ceremony, technical competitions, intellectual challenges and engaging activities across the IIT Patna campus. Day 1: Technical Competitions and Exciting Activities The first day featured several competitions designed to test participants' technical knowledge, engineering skills, creativity and problem-solving abilities. Among the key attractions were: RoboSoccer: Participants demonstrated their robotic engineering skills and strategic thinking through competitive robot football matches. Line Follower: Teams tested their robots' precision, speed and programming capabilities as they navigated challenging tracks. Death Race: A high-energy robotic competition that challenged machines to overcome obstacles and demanding tracks. Ques-tion: An engaging knowledge-based competition testing participants' logical reasoning and problem-solving abilities. Bizarre Auction: An entertaining activity combining strategy, bidding and quick decision-making. These activities created an atmosphere of enthusiasm and healthy competition, highlighting the technical capabilities and innovative spirit of participating students. Star Attractions: Stand-up Comedy and Live Music Beyond technical competitions, Celesta 2026 is also bringing entertainment and live performances to the IIT Patna campus. 31 October 2026 – Vivek Samtani Stand-up comedian Vivek Samtani is scheduled to perform at the IIT Patna Auditorium on 31 October. His stand-up comedy performance is expected to add a dose of laughter and entertainment to the festival celebrations. 1 November 2026 – Madhur Sharma The festival's musical celebrations will continue on 1 November with a live performance by Madhur Sharma at the Fest Ground. The performance is among the major attractions scheduled for the final day of Celesta 2026. The Pronite celebrations also feature Raya as part of the festival's entertainment lineup. A Platform for Innovation and Creativity Celesta 2026 aims to provide students with a national platform to demonstrate their technical abilities, exchange ideas, explore emerging technologies and interact with fellow innovators. By bringing together technical competitions, intellectual activities, creativity and cultural entertainment, the festival reflects the spirit of innovation and collaboration that defines IIT Patna. With its diverse lineup of events and performances, Celesta 2026 continues to make the IIT Patna campus a vibrant centre of learning, competition and celebration. Event Dates: 30 October – 1 November 2026 Venue: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna Organiser: Celesta, IIT Patna