Citadel 1.0 Hackathon: ₹57,040 Prize Pool at UEM Kolkata
A 30-hour hybrid hackathon by UEM Kolkata for Indian students and early-stage builders, with a ₹57,040 prize pool and registrations closing on July 1, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹57,040 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (1 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Citadel 1.0 – The Code of Karma is a 30-hour hackathon run by the University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata (UEM Kolkata). Contestants get one continuous stretch of time to design and ship a working tech product, with industry mentors available to guide them through the pressure.
The event is hybrid by design. You can build on the UEM Kolkata campus or join remotely from anywhere in India, which means your location does not decide whether you can take part.
It is aimed at university students across the country, founders who are still at an early stage, and independent builders working solo. The organisers do not list any team-size limit or age bar, and squads can either be put together at the venue or signed up in advance.
When the build window closes, teams present their work and a panel of industry experts decides the outcome. Winners are declared at the closing ceremony. The total prize pool is ₹57,040, stated as USD 620 and converted at ₹92 per dollar.
Registration shuts on July 1, 2026. Entries are made through the competition page on Internshala.
Highlights
- 30-hour hackathon hosted by UEM Kolkata (University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata)
- Open to Indian university students, early-stage founders and solo builders
- Total prize pool of ₹57,040, stated as USD 620 at ₹92 per dollar
- Hybrid format — compete on the UEM Kolkata campus or join online
- Mentorship during the build and judging by industry experts
- Registration closes on July 1, 2026 via the Internshala competition page
Who can apply
Citadel 1.0 is open to Indian participants, with no state-wise restriction mentioned in the programme details.
- Students: University students in India can enter.
- Founders and independent builders: Early-stage founders and solo builders are explicitly welcome.
- Team size: No specific team size is stated, so you can compete alone or as part of a group.
- Age: No age restriction is mentioned.
- Registration: Every participant must sign up through the Internshala competition page before July 1, 2026.
This is a hackathon rather than a government scheme, so DPIIT recognition and MSME registration are not part of the entry criteria.
Citadel 1.0 Hackathon: ₹57,040 Prize Pool at UEM Kolkata 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 Citadel 1.0 Hackathon: ₹57,040 Prize Pool at UEM Kolkata closed on 1 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Citadel 1.0 is a competition, so the reward is prize money rather than a grant, loan or investment cheque. No equity is taken from participants.
- Total prize pool: ₹57,040, stated as USD 620 and converted at ₹92 per dollar.
- Cash prizes go to the winning teams, who are declared at the closing ceremony.
- Participants also work with mentorship from industry experts, the same panel that later judges the final presentations.
The organisers have not published how the ₹57,040 is split between first place, second place and any further winning positions. Travel, accommodation or other expense reimbursements are not mentioned either.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
There is no written application screen — judging happens on the strength of what you build during the event.
- Build sprint — teams get 30 continuous hours to develop their solution.
- Presentations — each team demonstrates what it has built.
- Judging — a panel of industry experts evaluates the entries.
- Results — winners are declared at the closing ceremony.
No scoring rubric, shortlisting round or pre-event screening is described in the details available for this hackathon.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Citadel 1.0 Hackathon: ₹57,040 Prize Pool at UEM Kolkata, 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
Citadel 1.0 Hackathon: ₹57,040 Prize Pool at UEM Kolkata is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹57,040. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Citadel 1.0 – The Code of Karma?
It is a 30-hour hackathon hosted by the University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata (UEM Kolkata). Participants spend the event building a tech solution and then present it to a panel of industry experts. The format is hybrid, so you can attend on the UEM Kolkata campus or take part online.
How much prize money is on offer at Citadel 1.0?
The total prize pool is USD 620, which works out to roughly ₹57,040 at ₹92 per US dollar. Winners receive cash prizes and the results are announced at the closing ceremony. The organisers have not shared how that pool is divided between first, second and any other winning positions.
Who is eligible to take part in Citadel 1.0?
Indian participants can enter. That covers university students, founders at an early stage of building, and independent or solo builders. No state-wise restriction is mentioned, and no age limit is stated.
What is the last date to register for Citadel 1.0?
Registrations close on July 1, 2026. That is the only deadline mentioned for the event, so make sure your sign-up is completed before it passes.
Does Citadel 1.0 take equity or a stake in my idea?
No. This is a competition with a cash prize pool rather than an investment programme, so nothing is diluted and no equity changes hands. Whatever you build during the hackathon remains yours.
Do I have to be in Kolkata to compete?
Not at all. The hackathon runs in a hybrid format, so you can build in person at the UEM Kolkata campus or join virtually from wherever you are. Both routes lead to the same presentations and judging round.
Can I enter alone, or is a team compulsory?
Both options work. Individual builders are welcome and the organisers do not specify a required team size. If you turn up without a team you can form one at the venue, or you can pre-register as a group in advance.
Is DPIIT recognition or MSME registration needed to apply?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME registration appears among the entry requirements. Citadel 1.0 is a hackathon rather than a government grant or loan scheme, so those certificates are not part of the eligibility criteria.
How do I apply for Citadel 1.0?
Registration takes place through the official Internshala competition page for the event. Complete your sign-up there before the July 1, 2026 deadline to confirm your place.
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