Emerging
Technologies
Hackathon

Road to Innovation 2026

Present your breakthrough innovation and gain visibility among government leaders, industry experts, investors and academia across India.

Results announced in
12Days
08Hours
34Mins
52Secs
🏆 Prize Pool
₹10 Lakhs+
📅 Results
26 October 2026
🎯 Focus Areas
09 Tracks
View Finalists → Learn More
🚀 Focus Technology Areas
📡Communications (5G, 6G Satellite, Navigation etc)
⚛️Quantum Communication
🔌Semiconductors & Electronics
🤖Robotics (Drones, Humanoid etc)
🔒Cybersecurity
🥽IoT, Wearables, AR/VR/Immersive Media
🧠Artificial Intelligence, IT & Software, Human Computer Interaction
🌾Green Tech (Renewable Energy, EV, AV)
🏢Services (Fintech, Ed tech, Health Tech, E-commerce and others)
ETH
2026
★

Partners & Supporters

About the Hackathon

Innovate. Build.
Showcase your innovation.

The Emerging Technologies Hackathon 2026 is a national initiative focused on identifying, nurturing and showcasing breakthrough innovations across Communication Technologies (5G, 6G, Satellite, Navigation, etc.), Quantum Communication, Semiconductors & Electronics, Robotics (Drones, humanoid, etc.) and other emerging technologies.

Selected teams will present live demonstrations before an audience of government leaders, industry experts, investors and academia.

View the Finalists →
🎯

Target Audience

Students, Startups & Researchers from across India

💡

Innovation Focus

Build practical, deployable emerging-tech solutions

🚀

Showcase

Live demo before national leaders

🏆

Awards

Cash prizes, recognition & mentorship from experts

Awards

Prize Pool

Win recognition, funding and a platform to launch your innovation nationally.

👑
1st
1st Prize
₹1,50,000
Cash prize + Investor pitch opportunity + national spotlight
2nd
2nd Prize
₹1,00,000
Cash prize + Mentorship + showcase opportunity
3rd
3rd Prize
₹75,000
Cash prize + Certificate + showcase opportunity
4th
₹50,000
4th Prize
5th
₹25,000
5th Prize
6th
₹10,000 Each
6th - 15th Prize

Special category awards also available · Total prize pool ₹10 Lakhs+

Shortlisted

Meet the Finalists

Congratulations to the teams shortlisted for the final round. Rankings and winners will be announced on 26 October 2026.

View finalists list (PDF) → Download PDF

Your browser can’t display the PDF here. Open the finalists list.
Schedule

Key Dates

1 July 2026
Hackathon Launch
Official kick-off and registration portal goes live.
1–31 July 2026
Registrations Open
Submit your team and project abstract before the deadline.
August 2026
Screening & Evaluation
Expert panel evaluates all submissions on impact and feasibility.
28 August 2026
Shortlist Announcement
Top finalists notified and invited to the final round.
29 August- End September 2026
Continuous Improvement of the Solution
Shortlisted finalists will further refine their solution.
7-10 October 2026
Demo and Winner Announcement
Live demonstration before national leaders & Awards presented to the most impactful solutions.
Tracks

Focus Areas

Tackle real-world challenges across 09 cutting-edge technology domains.

📡
Communications (5G, 6G Satellite, Navigation etc)
⚛️
Quantum Communication
🔌
Semiconductors & Electronics
🤖
Robotics (Drones, Humanoid etc)
🔒
Cybersecurity
🥽
IoT, Wearables, AR/VR/Immersive Media
🧠
Artificial Intelligence, IT & Software, Human Computer Interaction
🌾
Green Tech (Renewable Energy, EV, AV)
🏢
Services (Fintech, Ed tech, Health Tech, E-commerce and others)
Challenges

Problem Statements

Subject: Network Security
  • Accepts PCB Gerber files (paste and copper layers) as the reference and overlays them on a live USB camera feed for real-time stencil and component alignment guidance.
  • Detects SMT defects including insufficient paste, bridging, missing components, and BGA misalignment using a trained computer vision model on an edge compute node.
  • Guides the operator step-by-step through each assembly stage with plain-language directional instructions until alignment is confirmed before proceeding.
  • Deployable on commodity hardware under ₹15,000, making automated optical inspection accessible to mid-scale Indian EMS and ODM shops without dedicated AOI machines.
Watch video
▶
Watch on YouTube ↗
Subject: Smart Agriculture
  • Monitors soil moisture, temperature and crop health using low-power IoT sensors.
  • Transmits data over long range with minimal battery drain, suited for remote farmland.
  • Gives farmers actionable alerts and recommendations via a simple mobile interface.
  • Supports integration with irrigation systems for automated water management.
Subject: Rural Healthcare
  • Enables high-quality video consultations even in low-connectivity rural regions.
  • Supports real-time transmission of diagnostic data (vitals, imaging) to specialists.
  • Works with low-cost peripheral devices for basic diagnostics at primary health centres.
  • Maintains patient data securely in line with healthcare data privacy norms.
Subject: Industry 4.0
  • Predicts equipment failure before it happens using sensor and historical maintenance data.
  • Reduces unplanned downtime and maintenance costs on the factory floor.
  • Integrates with existing SCADA/PLC systems with minimal retrofitting.
  • Provides a clear dashboard for maintenance teams to prioritise interventions.
Subject: Cyber Security
  • Implements post-quantum cryptographic techniques suited for 5G network constraints.
  • Protects sensitive data in transit against future quantum-computing-based attacks.
  • Maintains acceptable latency and overhead for real-world 5G deployments.
  • Provides a migration path for existing systems to adopt quantum-safe protocols.
Subject: Smart Cities
  • Analyses live traffic camera feeds at the edge to reduce congestion in real time.
  • Dynamically adjusts signal timing based on actual traffic flow, not fixed schedules.
  • Flags incidents (accidents, violations) for faster emergency response.
  • Scales across multiple junctions with centralised monitoring.
Subject: FinTech
  • Enables secure, low-cost digital transactions in areas with limited banking infrastructure.
  • Works reliably over intermittent or low-bandwidth network conditions.
  • Supports simple onboarding for users with limited digital literacy.
  • Ensures transaction transparency and auditability using blockchain.
Subject: Disaster Management
  • Maintains communication when terrestrial networks are damaged or unavailable.
  • Supports rapid deployment for first responders during floods, earthquakes and other disasters.
  • Prioritises critical alerts and coordination messages over the available bandwidth.
  • Interoperates with existing emergency response systems and protocols.
Subject: Education Technology
  • Delivers immersive, hands-on learning experiences for STEM subjects remotely.
  • Works on low-cost AR/VR-capable devices to keep access affordable.
  • Tracks learner progress and engagement for teachers to follow up.
  • Supports content built by educators without requiring deep technical skills.

Congratulations to Our Finalists

The finalists are announced. Rankings and winners will be revealed on 26 October 2026.

View Finalists List →
Support

Frequently Asked Questions

The hackathon is open to students (undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD), startups and research institutions from across India. Teams of 1–5 members are welcome to apply.
No, participation is completely free of charge. Simply fill out the application form before 21 July 2026 to register your team.
You will need to provide a project abstract (500–800 words), a one-page concept note, team member details and the technology track you are targeting.
A working prototype is preferred but not mandatory at the registration stage. Shortlisted teams will be expected to demonstrate a working solution in the final round.
Submissions are judged on innovation & originality, technical feasibility, real-world impact, scalability and quality of the live demonstration.
Shortlisted teams will be notified by 15 September 2026 via email. Results will also be published on this website and official social media channels.
Every applicant must upload a valid ID Proof / Passport. You'll also need to upload the completed Problem Statement Annexure (PDF/DOC/DOCX) under Technical Details. If you're applying as a Startup, you must additionally upload your Incorporation Certificate and proof of 51% shareholding by an Indian citizen or Indian entity (PDF/JPG/PNG). All files should be clear and legible scans or digital copies.
View All FAQs →