A 25-year-old student from IIM Kashipur, Tunir Sahoo, has won the James Dyson Award India 2025 for his invention JivaScope, a small AI-powered device that can detect heart and lung diseases without the need for a doctor, internet, or electricity. The portable tool aims to make medical screening accessible in rural and remote areas where healthcare facilities are scarce.
Born in Kolkata in 1999 and raised in Kharagpur, Tunir Sahoo grew up in a family that valued discipline and learning, his father worked in a bank and his mother taught history at a local school.
After completing his early education at Sacred Heart High School, he earned a B. Pharmacy degree from Dr. B.C. Roy College of Pharmacy in Durgapur and later pursued an MBA at IIM Kashipur, graduating in 2024.
Driven by empathy and curiosity, Sahoo channelled his technical and managerial skills into solving one of India’s most pressing healthcare challenges, creating the award-winning JivaScope, a portable AI device that screens heart and lung conditions without doctors or internet access.
The idea for JivaScope came to Sahoo during a visit to rural Bihar. He saw a father carrying his sick, wheezing son to a local clinic. The doctor suspected pneumonia but could not confirm it because there were no diagnostic tools available. That moment stayed with Sahoo and made him realise how many families suffer simply because of the lack of basic medical screening.
Determined to find a solution, Sahoo spent months speaking to more than 60 rural doctors and health workers. He learned that patients with asthma, pneumonia, or heart disease often go undiagnosed because clinics cannot afford expensive equipment. He wanted to create something simple, affordable, and accurate that anyone could use.
After several trials and over 20 design versions, Sahoo and his small team developed JivaScope. The device fits in the palm of a hand and uses artificial intelligence to analyse heart and lung sounds. It runs completely offline, which means it can work even in villages without internet or power.
Priced at around ₹3,000, JivaScope uses off-the-shelf parts to keep costs low. It also has an infrared guide that helps users place it correctly on the body, ensuring accuracy even for those without medical training. The AI runs directly on the device and gives results instantly.
During testing, an ASHA worker who used the prototype told Sahoo, “For the first time, I feel I can tell my patients what’s wrong instead of sending them far away.” That feedback showed him how much the device could empower rural health workers.
The James Dyson Award is a global design and engineering competition for current and recent students and recent graduates.
It is run by the charitable trust of Sir James Dyson, the inventor of Dyson vacuum cleaners and other technologies.
The award encourages young innovators to solve real-world problems with practical and thoughtful prototypes.
Entries are judged based on creativity, functionality, design process, and potential impact on society.
The global winner receives a cash prize of 30,000 pounds, while national winners in countries like India typically receive around 5,000 pounds.
Beyond the prize money, winners gain mentorship, media exposure, and support to help bring their inventions to life.
Winning the national title of the James Dyson Award India 2025 means JivaScope will now represent India in the global competition. The award includes prize money of around £5,000, along with international recognition and mentorship opportunities.
Sahoo plans to use the funds to carry out clinical trials, apply for patents, and work with public health departments to distribute JivaScope in remote areas. His goal is to make the device even more affordable and widely available.
Reference:
1. James Dyson Award.” James Dyson Award, accessed November 8, 2025. https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/en‑IN/.
(Rh/ARC/MSM)