Galgotias University's Innovation Claims Face Mounting Scrutiny at AI Summit
The controversy surrounding Galgotias University's exhibition at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 has intensified dramatically, with fresh allegations emerging about another device showcased by the institution. Barely 24 hours after being directed to vacate its exhibition stall at the flagship artificial intelligence event in New Delhi, the university now faces serious questions about its claims regarding a "drone soccer arena" presented as an entirely in-house development.
Viral Video Sparks New Controversy
A video circulating widely on social media platforms shows a communications professor from Galgotias University enthusiastically describing the drone soccer arena as another groundbreaking innovation developed entirely within the university's facilities. In the footage, she explicitly claims this to be "India's first" such system, emphasizing that everything from engineering to application was accomplished on campus.
"It is a very interesting thing, from its end to end engineering to its application, everything has been done at the university and this is India's first drone soccer arena which you will get to see on campus at Galgotias," the professor states in the viral video. "Here the children play games inside this arena, fly it, enhance their flagging skills and are developing it in a new way, with more strength and enhanced features."
Social Media Users Challenge University's Claims
However, numerous social media posts have directly contradicted these assertions, suggesting the drone closely resembles commercially available products originating from South Korea. Digital investigators have pointed specifically to Helsel, a company that claims to have pioneered drone soccer in 2015 before officially launching the sport in South Korea two years later. The sport has since gained recognition from the World Air Sports Federation.
Additional comparisons have been drawn to products like the Stryker V3 ARF, which is readily available in international markets. The Youth Congress political organization entered the fray on social media platform X, directly alleging the drone was Korean-made and questioning the authenticity of the university's innovation claims.
"First China, now Korea. Galgotias is on a world tour of 'borrowed' innovation," the Youth Congress post stated pointedly. "They claimed to have built India's first Drone Soccer from scratch on campus, but it's actually just a Striker V3 ARF from Korea. Atmanirbhar or just Atmanir-buy Modi ji?"
Earlier Robotic Dog Controversy Sets Stage
This latest controversy follows closely on the heels of an earlier dispute involving a robotic dog displayed at the university's exhibition stall. The quadruped robot, presented as "Orion" and described as an in-house innovation, was quickly identified by observers as the Unitree Go2—a commercially available product manufactured by Chinese robotics firm Unitree.
The robotic dog, which sells in India for an estimated 2-3 lakh rupees, became the center of a growing controversy at the summit, which was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a flagship event showcasing indigenous AI developments. Critics argued that presenting imported technology as in-house innovation undermined the summit's purpose of highlighting genuine domestic advancements.
University's Response and Summit Actions
As scrutiny intensified, summit organizers reportedly disconnected electricity to Galgotias University's pavilion before formally requesting the institution vacate the exhibition space. Government sources subsequently confirmed authorities had directed the university to leave the expo area, emphasizing the importance of compliance and transparency standards at the national AI event.
Regarding the earlier robotic dog controversy, the university issued a statement clarifying their position: "Let us be clear, Galgotias has not built this robodog, nor have we claimed to do so. What we are building are minds that will soon design, engineer and manufacture such technologies in Bharat."
However, as of the latest developments, Galgotias University has not provided any fresh clarification or statement addressing the specific allegations surrounding their drone soccer arena claims. The institution's communications professor had previously highlighted significant AI investments during a presentation, noting "We are the first private university investing more than 350 crore rupees in artificial intelligence and we have a dedicated data science and artificial intelligence block on the campus."
The dual controversies have raised broader questions about innovation representation at national technology events, with the Galgotias University case becoming a focal point for discussions about authenticity, transparency, and the presentation of technological developments at India's premier AI gathering.
