IIT Gandhinagar opens 25 seats for soft-robotics winter school, first offers out today
By TUF News Desk · Published 28 October 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
The first offers for a winter school where students build real soft robots go out today. The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar is running the inaugural edition of WISCr, its Winter School in Soft and Continuum Robotics, from December 7 to 11, 2026, and only 25 students will get in.
Soft robots are built from flexible materials instead of rigid parts. They bend and twist, which lets them handle delicate objects and work in tight spaces where a stiff machine would struggle. The IIT Gandhinagar robotics group already works on flexible surgical robots, adaptive grippers and soft legged robots, and the school is built around that work.
A week spent building, not listening
WISCr is residential and hands on. The 25 selected students will work in five teams, and each team takes up an open problem on a soft robot that already exists in the IIT Gandhinagar lab. A mentor from the robotics group will work with each team through the week.
Monday starts with the basic question of what flexibility buys a robot, along with time tinkering with the lab’s own machines and setting up the ROS and SOFA software tools. Tuesday covers the geometry behind how a soft robot bends. Wednesday moves to sensing and estimation, Thursday to mechanics and control, and Friday ends with project demonstrations and a review. Design thinking, technical writing and communication run through the whole week, and each day closes with a reflection session.
Students who stand out will be considered for internships and PhD opportunities with the group, and everyone leaves with contacts in India’s soft robotics community.
Who can apply, and what it takes
Applications are open to undergraduate, masters and PhD students, and to graduates who finished their degree within the last 12 months. Applicants can come from any institution in India or abroad, and no prior experience with soft robots is required. Monday is designed for beginners, so the technical material only builds up after that first day.
Applying is free. The application asks for basic details, a CV, and a link to a one minute video in which the applicant explains why they are a good fit. The video needs no editing or props. A phone recording uploaded to YouTube as unlisted is enough.
Admissions run on a rolling basis. Applications are read as they arrive, and offers go out in rounds while the form stays open. The first round of offers goes out on October 28, 2026. The form closes on November 5, 2026, unless all 25 seats fill before that, in which case later applicants may be waitlisted. Offers go out on November 6, and selected students must confirm by paying the registration fee by November 10.
The registration fee is Rs 5,000, excluding GST, and it applies only to selected students. Those attending can also request shared accommodation in IIT Gandhinagar hostels. Financial support is still being worked out, and applicants for whom cost is a barrier are asked to say so in the application.
Students weighing a research led institute can use our guide to choosing a university in India to compare research exposure alongside courses and fees. Full details and the application form are on the official WISCr programme page.
Frequently asked questions
What is WISCr 2026 at IIT Gandhinagar?
WISCr is the Winter School in Soft and Continuum Robotics, a five-day residential school run by the IIT Gandhinagar robotics group from December 7 to 11, 2026.
Who can apply for WISCr 2026?
Undergraduate, masters and PhD students, and graduates from the last 12 months, from any institution in India or abroad. No prior experience with soft robots is needed.
What is the last date to apply for WISCr 2026?
November 5, 2026, unless all 25 seats fill earlier, since admissions run on a rolling basis. The first round of offers goes out on October 28, 2026.
What does WISCr 2026 cost?
Applying is free. Selected students pay a registration fee of Rs 5,000, excluding GST, to confirm their place by November 10, 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is WISCr 2026 at IIT Gandhinagar?
WISCr is the Winter School in Soft and Continuum Robotics, a five-day residential school run by the IIT Gandhinagar robotics group from December 7 to 11, 2026.
Who can apply for WISCr 2026?
Undergraduate, masters and PhD students, and graduates from the last 12 months, from any institution in India or abroad. No prior experience with soft robots is needed.
What is the last date to apply for WISCr 2026?
November 5, 2026, unless all 25 seats fill earlier, since admissions run on a rolling basis. The first round of offers goes out on October 28, 2026.
What does WISCr 2026 cost?
Applying is free. Selected students pay a registration fee of Rs 5,000, excluding GST, to confirm their place by November 10, 2026.
Sources: EduAdvice, WISCr official programme page