LOCUS 2026 Nepal’s Premier Technological Festival Set to Transform the Digital Landscape

26th January 2026, Kathmandu

The future of Nepalese innovation is set to take center stage as LOCUS 2026, the 22nd edition of the National Technological Festival, prepares to open its doors at the IOE Pulchowk Campus.

LOCUS 2026 Nepal’s Premier Technological Festival

Scheduled for January 30, 31, and February 1, 2026 (Magh 16–18, 2082), this landmark event promises to be the largest gathering of tech enthusiasts, students, and industry leaders in the country’s history.

With the powerful theme “Transforming Today: Nepal’s Path to a Digital Future,” LOCUS 2026 aims to catalyze the nation’s commitment to modernizing its systems and bridging the digital divide.

A Legacy of Innovation and Excellence

Since its inception in 2003, LOCUS has evolved from a student-led initiative into a national phenomenon. Managed by undergraduate students from the Departments of Electrical, Electronics, and Computer Engineering at Pulchowk Campus, the non-profit organization has consistently provided a platform for young Nepalese innovators to showcase their technical prowess.

This year, the festival is scaling up significantly, expecting:

• Over 2,000 participants from across Nepal.

• 300+ groundbreaking projects spanning various engineering disciplines.

• Rs 5,00,000+ in prize pools to reward excellence and creativity.

• Support from 50+ industry sponsors committed to Nepal’s tech ecosystem.

The Theme: Transforming Today for a Digital Tomorrow

The 2026 theme emphasizes taking immediate, meaningful action to prepare Nepal for a future defined by artificial intelligence, sustainable energy, and digital governance. The festival will delve into critical sectors that are vital for national progress:

1. Digital Health & AI Integration

Nepal is currently transitioning toward a “Smart Health” ecosystem. LOCUS 2026 will explore solutions for the “Health Data Divide,” focusing on creating interoperable Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems and AI-powered diagnostic tools that can operate in low-connectivity rural areas.

2. Fossil-Free Futures & Renewable Energy

With Nepal possessing an immense hydropower potential of 83,000 MW, the festival highlights the shift toward sustainable energy. Projects will focus on IoT-based solar monitoring, machine learning for energy prediction, and smart grid management to ensure energy independence.

3. Modernizing Agriculture

As 60.4% of the Nepalese workforce remains in agriculture, LOCUS 2026 prioritizes “Leapfrog Technologies”. Key areas of focus include AI-powered mobile apps for farmers with limited literacy, computer vision for crop disease detection, and IoT systems to mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

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4. Cybersecurity in the AI Era

With cybercrimes becoming more sophisticated, the festival will address deepfake detection, 5G network security, and AI-based fraud detection to protect Nepal’s growing digital population.

5. Crisis-Ready Futures

Given Nepal’s vulnerability to seismic activity and climate-induced disasters, LOCUS 2026 showcases tech-driven disaster management. Highlights include machine learning for landslide prediction and drone-based autonomous damage assessment systems.

6. Inclusive Digital Learning

The event champions the creation of adaptive learning platforms for differently-abled students and low-bandwidth educational tools for remote mountainous regions.

Event Highlights: What to Expect

LOCUS 2026 is not just a project exhibition; it is a celebration of technology. Attendees can look forward to:

Robotics Competitions: High-octane events featuring battle-ready bots and autonomous machines.

Project Demonstrations: A firsthand look at the prototypes that will shape Nepal’s future.

Technical Workshops: Sessions led by industry experts on AI, 5G, and sustainable tech.

Musical Evening: A grand closing ceremony to celebrate the spirit of innovation.

Why It Matters

As Nepal enters the “IT Decade” (2024-2034), events like LOCUS are essential for nurturing the talent required to build a robust digital ecosystem. By encouraging collaboration between universities, government bodies, and private companies, LOCUS 2026 acts as a bridge between academic theory and real-world application.

Plan Your Visit

Dates: January 30 – February 1, 2026 (Magh 16–18, 2082)

Venue: IOE Pulchowk Campus, Lalitpur, Nepal

Join the 22nd National Technological Festival and witness how Nepalese youth are transforming today to secure a digital future. Whether you are a student, a professional, or simply a tech enthusiast, LOCUS 2026 is the place to be.

For more: LOCUS 2026 Nepal’s Premier Technological