On February 18, Galgotias University’s efforts at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi sparked numerous memes and jokes. The university has been accused of passing off imported technology as “indigenous” or “in-house” student innovation. They were eventually asked to leave the summit.
Read also | The Galgotias line of bots should not overshadow the efforts at the AI Summit: Meity secy
Even Chinese media shared the story online:
One of the viral posts mocking the university is about the “GALGOTIA” rocket launcher. A satirical post on social media poked fun at the university.
“Galgot University’s final year project (that actually works) to intercept returning rockets. It’s called Gravity Arresting Launch Grade Orbital Trapping Indigenous Apparatus (GALGOTIA). A proud moment for humanity,” reads a post attacking the SpaceX video.
Here is another funny post:
Govt – Galgotia, please leave the AI Summit
Galgotia – No. We won’t
Government – Cuts off their electricity
Galgotia – The staff is set in motion
Media – Where are you going??
Galgotia- We will be back for lunch
“Tum kitne galgotia pakdoge. Har gali se galgotia niklega (How many Galgotia can you catch? There’s a Galgotia in every lane.),” posted another.
“Galgot University strikes again. After a Chinese robot, they claimed to have built a soccer drone from scratch on their campus. Reality: It’s commercially available on the market for just ₹40,000 as Striker V3 ARF. What are these scams?? another user asked.
Another user asked the authorities, “Is this government and administration a joke? Instead of formally asking Galgotia to leave, they allegedly cut off electricity to their pavilion. Galgotia wale bhi dheeth hain, ja nahi rahe (Even Galgotia people are stubborn; they are not leaving). Why is this country running like a sitcom?”
Comedian Vir Das also joined the fun:
Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra slammed cabinet minister Ashwini Vaishnaw: “Deleting tweets won’t change reality Ashwini Vaishnaw – you have made India a laughingstock. Get out of your seat if you can’t do your job. Maybe join Galgotia as Professor Spin?”
The Galgotia Controversy
The controversy began when Galgotias University showcased a robotic dog named Orion and claimed it was developed in-house by its Center of Excellence. Online users soon identified the machine as the Unitree Go2, an off-the-shelf Chinese product that costs several crores of rupees.
Read also | China’s Bot Controversy: Where is Galgotias University? Location, history and more
At the same time, the university said it created a football drone from scratch. But even this was recognized as a foreign business model.
After criticism grew on social media, the Department of Electronics and IT asked the university to vacate its stall at the Bharat Mandapam. Authorities reportedly cut power to the display when they refused to leave.
University response
The university later clarified that it never meant it had made the robot. It stated that it uses only global technology for teaching.
Read also | Galgotias University apologizes for row with Chinese RoboDog, says professor ‘misinformed’
But she has now apologized and blamed her “ill-informed” representative.
“We at Galgotias University want to deeply apologize for the confusion that arose at the recent Al Summit. One of our representatives manning the pavilion was misinformed. She was unaware of the technical origins of the product and in her excitement to be on camera gave factually incorrect information even though she was not authorized to speak to the press,” it said.