After the robodog fiasco, Galgotias University’s large pavilion at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi attracted considerable attention online. Concerns have been raised about the criteria for allotment of space followed in the Bharat Mandapam. With India’s premier engineering and research institutions – the Institutes of Technology (IITs) – they are only able to secure one-fourth of the space allotted to Galgotias University.
The Noida-based private institution, which has been surrounded by controversy since the robodog scandal, has been allotted a mammoth 155 square meter booth in Hall 6, the Indian Express reported. Meanwhile, the research institution and the four IITs have together acquired 130 square meters of space, according to a floor plan obtained by intelligence from the organizers of the fair.
Read also | Social Media Continues To Roast Galgotias University – ‘Robo The Dog Has Surrendered’
Although the event aimed to showcase India’s technical achievements on the global stage, India’s esteemed institutions, known for high-quality education, research and producing top engineering talent, were said to be hidden gems in terms of kiosk size.
The breakdown of space allocation is shown below:
- IIT Bombay – 35 Sq
- IIT Madras – 35 Sq
- IIT Kharagpur – 24 Sq
- IIT Gandhinagar – 18 Sq
- Airawat Research Foundation at IIT Kanpur – 18 sq.m
- Galgotias University – 155 m2
How much did the scandal-hit university pay?
According to the organizer of the event, the allocation of kiosk space was done based on demand, Indian Express reported. The exhibition space at the Bharat Mandapam was rented out on a first-come, first-served basis. Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), has been entrusted with the responsibility of allocating space.
Read also | AI Galgotias University summit row reaches UP assembly, SP MLAs seek probe
As no formal vetting system was followed, there were inconsistencies in the size of the pavilion in terms of the institution’s contribution to the Indian AI ecosystem. Positioned as a platform to showcase Indian innovation and for hands-on experience, the exhibition drew backlash for failing to recognize the importance of more deserving institutions in terms of kiosk size.
Read also | Harsh Goenka slams Galgotias University amid AI summit row
With a fixed rate ₹9,000 per square meter for academic institutions, the payment varied according to the space allocated. Galgotias paid approx ₹14 lakh (excluding taxes and electricity connection charges) to the government, the Indian Express reported.
Reaction on social networks
One user wrote: “The IITs may have thought their education and research was enough, but the people of Galgotia saw ‘first come, first served’ as ‘come first, take all’. IIT had 130m2 of research, so Galgotia had 155m2 of loot! It’s said – knowledge will decrease, but business should be big.”
Another user commented: “Whoever gave him access to this stage also needs to be held accountable, you don’t push careless organizers into a global event and then act like nothing happened.”
A third user said: “I assume they paid more? Stand size always decides the financial contribution!”
What was the robodog scandal?
Galgotias University has faced backlash after its representative falsely claimed that a robotic dog, manufactured by China’s Unitree Robotics, was an in-house invention developed by its Center of Excellence. This showcase of Chinese-made robotic dogs, a commercial product of Unitree Go2, created an episode of national embarrassment and embarrassment at a global event.
After this fiasco, the Department of Electronics and IT has reportedly asked the university to vacate its stall.