New Delhi: The Delhi Government has launched a major civic innovation initiative titled ‘Delhi Next – Code, Create & Change’, aimed at developing technology-driven solutions for the capital’s urban and civic challenges. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta inaugurated the programme at the Delhi Secretariat, calling it the country’s largest civic-tech innovation platform.
The initiative seeks to bring together youth, startups, researchers, educational institutions, and innovators on a single platform to design practical solutions for real-life problems in Delhi.
CM Rekha Gupta Calls Initiative a Bridge Between Governance and Innovation
Addressing the launch event, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said that modern governance cannot be limited to policymaking alone and must embrace technology, innovation, and public participation.
She stated that:
- “Delhi Next” is not just a hackathon
- It is a bridge between governance and innovation
- Youth ideas will directly connect with government systems
She emphasized that young innovators should not be seen as spectators but as active partners in governance and public service delivery.
India’s Largest Civic-Tech Innovation Programme
The Chief Minister described Delhi Next as India’s largest civic-tech innovation programme, which has already reached over 1 crore youth across the country.
From this large pool of participants:
- Top 60 teams have been shortlisted
- They presented practical solutions for civic challenges
- Focus areas include urban infrastructure and public services
The initiative aims to harness youth energy and innovation for improving governance and citizen services in the capital.
Focus on Real Urban Challenges in Delhi
Participants worked on solving key urban and civic issues such as:
- Traffic congestion and management
- Waterlogging during monsoons
- Air pollution control
- Smart parking systems
- Waste management
- Digital governance and citizen services
- Public grievance redressal systems
- Electric vehicle (EV) ecosystem development
The government said these solutions will help improve efficiency in urban administration and citizen convenience.
Pilot Projects to Be Implemented by Government Departments
Unlike traditional hackathons, Delhi Next has a unique implementation-focused model.
The Chief Minister announced that:
- Selected innovations will be tested as pilot projects
- Government departments will collaborate with innovators
- Subject experts will guide shortlisted teams
- Successful solutions will be scaled across the system
This ensures that ideas are not limited to presentations but are converted into real-world governance solutions.
Youth Participation Key to Viksit Delhi Vision
CM Rekha Gupta highlighted that youth participation is central to building a developed Delhi.
She said:
- Youth innovation can transform governance systems
- Their ideas will shape future policies and services
- Government will provide full support, mentorship, and opportunity
She also expressed gratitude to young innovators across the country, praising their creativity and problem-solving approach.
Delhi Next: More Than Just a Hackathon
Officials clarified that Delhi Next is not a one-time competition but a long-term innovation platform.
Key features include:
- Continuous engagement with innovators
- Government-backed pilot testing
- Integration of successful models into public systems
- Focus on scalable and sustainable solutions
The programme aims to modernize governance through direct collaboration between citizens and the government.
Building a Smarter and Developed Delhi
The Delhi Government stated that innovations developed under this initiative will directly contribute to:
- Improved urban infrastructure
- Better citizen service delivery
- Faster grievance resolution systems
- Smart and sustainable city development
The vision is to create a more efficient, technology-enabled, and citizen-centric governance model for the capital.
The launch of ‘Delhi Next – Code, Create & Change’ marks a significant step toward integrating innovation with governance. By connecting youth-driven ideas with government execution, the initiative aims to transform Delhi’s civic systems and accelerate the vision of a developed and smart capital city.
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