Road to IMC 2026

Emerging
Technologies
Hackathon

Present your breakthrough innovation at IMC 2026 and gain visibility among government leaders, industry experts, investors and academia across India.

Registration opens in
12Days
08Hours
34Mins
52Secs
🏆 Prize Pool
₹10 Lakhs+
📅 Registration
1–31 July 2026
🎯 Focus Areas
09 Tracks
Apply Now → 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)
IMC
2026
★

Partners & Supporters

About the Hackathon

Innovate. Build.
Showcase at IMC 2026.

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 get free POD space to present live demonstrations at India Mobile Congress 2026 before an audience of government leaders, industry experts, investors and academia.

Register Your Team →
🎯

Target Audience

Students, Startups & Researchers from across India

💡

Innovation Focus

Build practical, deployable emerging-tech solutions

🚀

Showcase

Live demo at IMC 2026 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 + IMC spotlight
2nd
2nd Prize
₹1,00,000
Cash prize + Mentorship + IMC showcase pass
3rd
3rd Prize
₹75,000
Cash prize + Certificate + IMC showcase pass
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+

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 IMC 2026.
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 at India Mobile Congress 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.

Ready to Build the Future?

Submit your innovation and showcase it at the biggest telecom event in India.

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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 at IMC 2026 in October.
Submissions are judged on innovation & originality, technical feasibility, real-world impact, scalability and quality of the live demonstration at IMC 2026.
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.