Captain Shubham Kumar Wins Runner-Up Spot at Indian Army Terrier Cyberquest 2026 for RAKSHA.AI
New Delhi, October 13, 2026: Captain Shubham Kumar of EME School, Vadodara, has secured second place in the Grand Finale of the AI Kavach event at the Indian Army Terrier Cyberquest 2026, a national-level competition centred on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and emerging defence technologies.
The event was organised by the Territorial Army in collaboration with the CyberPeace Foundation and Zoho, and brought together participants from across the country to present innovative technological solutions aimed at strengthening cybersecurity and defence capabilities.
Representing EME School, Vadodara, Captain Shubham Kumar competed individually against teams from across India and emerged as the runner-up in the AI Kavach Grand Finale held at the United Service Institution of India (USI) in New Delhi.
The competition drew more than 8,200 registrations, reflecting the growing interest in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and advanced technology applications in the defence sector.
Captain Kumar stood out for his project RAKSHA.AI, an autonomous AI-based cyber-defence system designed to use artificial intelligence for cybersecurity applications. The project earned recognition among the competing entries and helped him finish second in the event.
The result points to the increasing technical capability and innovative approach of Indian Army officers working in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence and cyber defence. It also highlights the role of indigenous technological solutions in addressing new and evolving cybersecurity challenges.
The achievement is especially relevant for the Corps of Electronics and Mechanical Engineers (EME), which is responsible for maintaining, supporting and advancing the technological capabilities of the Indian Army.
It also fits in with the Army Training Command’s (ARTRAC) continuing efforts to encourage the use of niche and emerging technologies in military training and operational preparedness.
As modern warfare increasingly incorporates artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and cyber operations, platforms such as Terrier Cyberquest provide an avenue to identify innovative ideas and encourage technical talent within the armed forces.
Captain Shubham Kumar’s performance reflects the Indian Army’s focus on innovation, technological self-reliance and preparing personnel for the demands of future warfare.