The India AI Impact Summit 2026 was supposed to celebrate India’s growing strength in artificial intelligence. The event brought together government officials, tech companies, startups, and top institutes. But instead of only talking about innovation, a different issue grabbed attention.
Many visitors noticed that Galgotias University had a very large booth at the AI Expo. In fact, its space was bigger than the combined area given to four Indian Institutes of Technology. That comparison quickly became a talking point.
Why People Were Surprised
The IITs are known for research and technical excellence. So when people saw that their booths were smaller, questions naturally came up. Some wondered if the planning was fair. Others felt that national research institutes should have been given more prominence at such an important event.
The difference in space became even more noticeable when photos from the expo started circulating online.
What Organisers Said
The exhibition area was managed by Software Technology Parks of India, which works under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Officials explained that booth space was given on a first come first served basis. Institutions that applied early and paid for larger space were allotted bigger booths. According to reports, Galgotias University had paid for its larger stall.
So technically, the rules were followed. But many people still felt the optics did not look right.
The Robot That Added Fuel to the Fire
The situation became more complicated because of a robotic dog displayed at the university’s stall. It was presented as part of the university’s AI showcase. Soon, people pointed out online that the robot was a commercially available product from a Chinese company and not developed in house.
This led to criticism and raised questions about how innovations were being presented. After the issue gained attention, organisers reportedly asked the university to remove its stall. The university later apologised and said that incorrect information had been shared by an unauthorised representative.
Bigger Questions
The debate was not only about booth size. It became about fairness, transparency, and how national technology events should be managed.
Should research institutions automatically be given priority space
Or should everything be treated as a commercial exhibition where payment decides size
There is no simple answer. Some believe rules are rules. Others think events that represent India on a global stage should have stricter guidelines.
The Event Continued
Despite the controversy, the summit went on as planned. Leaders, experts, and companies continued discussions on AI development, innovation, and policy.
But the booth issue remained one of the most talked about moments of the expo.
In the end, what was meant to highlight India’s AI progress also became a lesson in event planning and public perception. Sometimes, how something looks can matter just as much as the rules behind it.