Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students
A national-level 24-hour offline hackathon for undergraduate and postgraduate students in India, hosted at Chitkara University with a ₹40,000 cash prize pool.
- Funding amount
- ₹40,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (11 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Build With Bharat 3.0 is a national-level hackathon that runs entirely offline, giving teams 24 hours on campus to design, build and demonstrate a working technology solution. CodeVerse organises it together with Chitkara University in Himachal Pradesh, and the finale build window falls on 21–22 September 2026.
The event is meant for students. Undergraduates and postgraduates from anywhere in India can take part, from any branch or specialisation, and the organisers explicitly welcome inter-college as well as inter-specialisation teams. A team may have 2 to 5 members, and a solo entry is permitted as well.
There is no single theme to work on. Participants pick a domain and build within it — the options include Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Web & Mobile Development, Blockchain & Web3, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Open Innovation, and Sustainability & Social Impact.
Rewards are structured around a total cash prize pool of ₹40,000, listed as up to ₹40,000. Every eligible participant receives a participation certificate, while winning teams also collect exclusive goodies and swags along with mentorship opportunities.
Entry closes on 11 September 2026. Registration takes place on the official Unstop listing; after that, teams submit their project idea in the prescribed PPT format, with the official template and submission guidelines circulated by the organising team. Updates are shared through the official WhatsApp community as well.
Highlights
- 24-hour offline hackathon at Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, on 21–22 September 2026.
- ₹40,000 total cash prize pool, plus participation certificates and goodies, swags and mentorship for winners.
- Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students across India, from every branch and specialisation.
- Teams of 2–5 members; solo entries and inter-college or inter-specialisation teams are allowed.
- Eight build domains, from AI/ML and Web3 to cybersecurity, IoT and sustainability.
- Register on Unstop and submit your idea in PPT format by 11 September 2026.
Who can apply
Build With Bharat 3.0 is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from anywhere in India. There is no restriction on branch or specialisation — students from every discipline are eligible.
- Team size: 2 to 5 members.
- Solo entry: individual participation is allowed.
- Mixed teams: inter-college and inter-specialisation teams are permitted.
- Student status: the criteria are centred on being a current UG or PG student; company registration, DPIIT recognition or MSME status is not part of the eligibility requirements.
Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students closed on 11 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a competition, so what participants compete for is prize money rather than a grant or an investment tranche.
- Total cash prize pool: ₹40,000, listed as up to ₹40,000.
- Participation certificates for all eligible participants.
- Winners' extras: exclusive goodies and swags.
- Mentorship opportunities for the winning teams.
Because the reward comes as a prize, there is nothing to repay and no equity is involved.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Every entry passes through the same sequence of stages:
- Registration — teams sign up through the official Unstop portal.
- Team formation — teams are assembled within the 2–5 member limit, with solo participation also allowed.
- Idea submission — the project idea is submitted in the prescribed PPT format.
- Shortlisting — entries are filtered on innovation, feasibility, technical approach and impact.
- Grand finale — a 24-hour offline build at Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh on 21–22 September 2026.
- Final evaluation and winner announcement — final presentations are judged and the winners declared.
Judges score teams on Innovation & Creativity, Problem-Solving Approach, Technical Implementation, UI/UX & Design, Scalability & Impact, and Presentation & Demonstration.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹40,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does Build With Bharat 3.0 offer?
The hackathon carries a total cash prize pool of ₹40,000, listed as up to ₹40,000. Beyond the cash, every eligible participant receives a participation certificate, and winning teams also get exclusive goodies and swags along with mentorship opportunities.
What is the application deadline for Build With Bharat 3.0?
Registration closes on 11 September 2026. You sign up through the official Unstop listing, and the idea submission in PPT format follows after registration.
Who is eligible to participate?
Undergraduate and postgraduate students from anywhere in India can apply. Students from all branches and specialisations are eligible, and there is no restriction on which college or discipline you come from.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team?
Both work. Teams can have 2 to 5 members, and individual participation is also allowed. Inter-college and inter-specialisation teams are explicitly welcome, so you can team up with students from other institutions or departments.
What domains or tracks can I build in?
You can choose from Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Web & Mobile Development, Blockchain & Web3, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, Internet of Things (IoT), Open Innovation, and Sustainability & Social Impact.
Does the programme take equity or need to be repaid?
No. Build With Bharat 3.0 is a competition, so the ₹40,000 is prize money rather than an investment or a loan. Nothing is taken in return from participants — there is no equity stake and nothing to repay.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. This is a student hackathon rather than a funding scheme for registered companies. Eligibility rests on being a current undergraduate or postgraduate student, and DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is not part of the criteria.
What do I have to submit, and in what format?
After registering on Unstop, teams submit their project idea using the prescribed PPT format. The official template and the submission guidelines are shared by the organising team, so look out for those before preparing your deck.
How are entries shortlisted and judged?
Ideas are first shortlisted on innovation, feasibility, technical approach and impact. Final evaluation covers Innovation & Creativity, Problem-Solving Approach, Technical Implementation, UI/UX & Design, Scalability & Impact, and Presentation & Demonstration.
Where do I register, and when does the hackathon take place?
Register through the official Unstop portal (https://unstop.com/hackathons/build-with-bharat-30-chitkara-university-cu-himachal-pradesh-1722484) before 11 September 2026. The 24-hour offline finale runs on 21–22 September 2026 at Chitkara University, Himachal Pradesh, and organisers share updates through the official WhatsApp community (https://chat.whatsapp.com/Cqv0XTrnUF89QZDemJLXJ7).
How do I apply for Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students
Not sure Build With Bharat 3.0 Hackathon — ₹40,000 Prize Pool for Students is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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