Navmarg: A Student-Led Startup Forging New Paths to Safe Water

In the corridors of the Manipal Academy of Higher Education and the grassroots labs of Bihar, a new kind of startup is emerging. Navmarg Research & Innovation Pvt. Ltd., founded in 2023, is not just another deep-tech venture—it's a mission to solve one of India’s most pressing public health crises: arsenic contamination in drinking water.

A Mission Born in a School Lab

The origins of Navmarg trace back to a Class 9 science project. Arpit Kumar, now the founder and CEO, was tasked with studying arsenic in groundwater alongside his younger brother Abhijeet Kumar. Growing up in Bihar, they witnessed firsthand the devastating health effects of arsenic-laced water, from infant deformities to maternal health issues. This early exposure ignited a lifelong commitment to developing a viable solution.

Years of experimentation, backed by local government and national institutions, culminated in the formation of Navmarg. Today, the startup operates out of Manipal and Patna and is incubated at premier institutions like MUTBI Manipal, NSRCEL-IIM Bangalore, and FITT-IIT Delhi.

Innovation Rooted in Science

Navmarg’s flagship solution, METAL® (Molecular Magnetic Technology for Arsenic Removal), represents a novel approach in the water purification space. Unlike traditional methods that rely on chemicals or energy-intensive processes, METAL uses diamagnetic principles to immobilise arsenic ions with neodymium magnets. The result: a chemical-free, low-maintenance, and sustainable solution.

This breakthrough addresses the inefficiencies of existing technologies like ion-exchange filters and reverse osmosis systems, offering communities a reliable alternative with significantly lower lifetime costs.

The People Behind the Tech

Led by physics undergraduate Arpit Kumar, the Navmarg team includes Abhijeet Kumar, an IIT Patna student serving as Co-founder and CTO with a strong background in cleantech design; Shambhavi Sinha, the Co-founder and Tech Lead from MIT, MAHE, who focuses on sensor-based water analytics; and Akshat Adarsh, the Lead for Environmental and Regulatory Affairs and a TERI graduate, who contributes expertise in hydrogeological risk mapping. 

Together, they form a team that balances deep technical knowledge with grassroots insights—a rare but powerful combination in the startup ecosystem.

Institutional Backing and Market Focus

Navmarg's credibility is bolstered by its incubation under top-tier programs and grants from organisations like Samsung, DST, UNICEF, and the Bihar Startup Policy. Its primary clients include government agencies such as the Jal Jeevan Mission, CSR arms of corporates, and schools in affected regions.

The startup follows a hybrid model, combining B2G contracts with CSR partnerships. Household systems start at ₹10,000, while community-scale units can reach up to ₹23 lakh. A licensing strategy ensures scalable deployment with minimal capital expenditure.

Measurable Impact and Future Vision

To date, Navmarg has purified over 300,000 litres of water and improved access for more than 6,000 individuals. A 5,000 LPH (litres per hour) plant in Bhojpur stands as a testament to the technology's scalability. The startup has been honoured with multiple accolades, including SmartIDEAthon and the Hult Prize India Finalist title.

Looking ahead, the team aims to scale its footprint to 100 villages across Bihar and Karnataka within two years. Plans are also underway to integrate AI-powered arsenic monitoring sensors and expand into arsenic-affected regions of Bangladesh and Nepal.

Lessons in Resilience

The journey hasn't been without setbacks. Early-stage fabrication flaws, underestimated training needs, and bureaucratic delays tested the team's resolve. But each challenge taught a vital lesson: innovation must be as adaptable as it is ambitious.

"Keep revealing yourself throughout the journey. Try to serve society with profit, every action will be worth a penny," advises Kumar, encapsulating the ethos of Navmarg.