With millions across the country already brainstorming and building, the Mark Rober Jugaad Contest is rapidly becoming one of the most exciting innovation competitions India has ever seen. Launched on April 30, 2025, the contest offers an incredible opportunity for Indian inventors — especially young minds — to win ₹5 lakh each, with ten winners to be selected. But while the internet buzzes with inventive entries, many participants are still unclear about one critical thing: how to properly enter and avoid disqualification.
Organized by CrunchLabs LLC, the contest is open to legal residents of India aged 8 and above. Mark Rober, YouTube megastar, ex-NASA engineer, and globally recognized science influencer, wants to celebrate India’s deep-rooted Jugaad culture — the art of doing more with less. The goal is simple: use common household materials to create something brilliant and submit a video showcasing it. But the entry process requires more than just creativity — it demands precision.
To officially participate, entrants must follow a multi-step process. First, they must create a video demonstrating their original Jugaad invention. It could be a working prototype, a creative mechanism, or even a clever tool designed to solve a real-world problem using frugal methods. The emphasis is on innovation, functionality, and storytelling.
Once the video is ready, it must be posted on one of the following public social media platforms: YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, or X (formerly Twitter). It’s crucial that the profile used to post the video is set to public visibility. If your video is posted from a private account, even if it uses the correct hashtag, the judges won’t be able to view it — and that alone can disqualify an otherwise brilliant submission.
The social media post must also include the official contest hashtag: #MarkRoberJugaad. This is how contest organizers track entries across platforms. Without the hashtag, the post may go unnoticed by the judging team, and your entry could be lost in the crowd. Many eager participants have already learned this the hard way.
But here’s the most important step — and the one most frequently overlooked. Posting the video on social media is not enough. Contestants must also visit the official contest website, www.markroberjugaad.com, and submit the direct link to their social media post through the entry form provided. If this step is skipped, the entry will not be counted. This is a strict rule, emphasized repeatedly in the contest’s official terms and conditions.
Participants under the age of 18 must also ensure that their entry is submitted by a parent or legal guardian. Even if the child is the face behind the invention, all official submissions must be completed by an adult on their behalf. This requirement ensures legal compliance and protection for minors.
Mark Rober has already praised the incredible variety and depth of talent coming from India. From students building automated farming tools using old toys and strings, to young coders crafting basic sensor systems with scrap electronics, the response has exceeded expectations. But Rober and his team also stress the importance of following the rules — not just to be fair, but to ensure every entry gets the recognition it deserves.
The judging panel will evaluate entries based on several criteria: originality, ingenuity, problem-solving, presentation, and how effectively the project reflects Jugaad principles. Simply copying an idea or creating something overly complex with expensive materials won’t help. The spirit of the competition lies in frugal innovation and creative practicality.
To help guide participants, Rober has also uploaded inspiration videos and highlights on his YouTube channel. These videos not only motivate but also subtly guide viewers on what kind of projects catch the eye of the judges. Watching these videos can be extremely useful for those still unsure of what to build.
It’s worth remembering that the contest runs until September 15, 2025, giving participants plenty of time to think, build, revise, and submit. But that also means the volume of submissions will continue to rise, making it even more critical that all steps are followed exactly.
The contest is not affiliated with any social media platform, so help and support regarding entries must be sought directly from CrunchLabs or through the official contest site. Any questions about eligibility, submission, or technical difficulties are best addressed early to avoid disqualification.
In the end, Mark Rober’s Jugaad Contest is not just about winning cash. It’s a celebration of India’s ingenuity, an opportunity for young minds to shine, and a rare platform where simple, home-built inventions can gain global attention. But none of that matters if your entry isn’t officially counted. So follow the steps, get creative, and submit smartly — because in the world of Jugaad, even brilliance needs to be properly submitted.
