Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur
An 8-hour student software hackathon hosted by GHRCEM Nagpur on the theme Intelligent Systems, with a ₹25,000 cash prize pool and a registration deadline of August 19, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹25,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (19 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Code Forge 2026 is a single-day coding contest run by the Department of Science & Technology at G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering & Management (GHRCEM), Nagpur. Student teams get 8 hours on the event floor to turn an idea into a working software product, and the strongest builds compete for a ₹25,000 cash prize pool.
This edition is built on the theme Intelligent Systems, with problem statements drawn from five application areas: Healthcare & Well-being, Smart Cities, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, and Enterprise Productivity. Official problem statements are handed out a day before the hackathon, so teams can plan their approach before the clock starts. Only solutions created for the assigned statement are considered for evaluation.
Technology choices are left wide open. Any programming language, IDE, open-source framework, cloud platform or AI-assisted coding tool can be used, and there are no stack restrictions to design around.
The event is aimed squarely at students — undergraduates and postgraduates from recognised colleges and universities, across every technical discipline. Every eligible participant receives a Certificate of Participation. Entry is handled through the Unstop platform, and a team's slot is confirmed once the registration fee payment is verified.
GHRCEM is a well-known engineering institution in Maharashtra, and its Department of Science & Technology regularly runs technical events and hackathons to push students towards practical, hands-on problem-solving.
Highlights
- 8-hour software development hackathon held in Nagpur by GHRCEM's Department of Science & Technology
- Theme: Intelligent Systems — Healthcare & Well-being, Smart Cities, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, Enterprise Productivity
- ₹25,000 total cash prize pool, plus Certificates of Participation for eligible participants
- Open to UG and PG students of recognised colleges; teams of 2–4; inter-college teams allowed
- Registration closes August 19, 2026 via Unstop; ₹400 per team (non-refundable)
- Problem statements are released one day before the hackathon
Who can apply
Code Forge 2026 is open to students only.
- Undergraduate and postgraduate students enrolled at recognised colleges or universities can take part.
- Students from all technical disciplines are welcome.
- Teams must have 2 to 4 members, and inter-college teams are allowed.
- A participant may register with only one team.
- Carry a valid college ID to the event — it is required for participation.
- Registration fee is ₹400 per team and is non-refundable.
- DPIIT or MSME registration is not part of the eligibility criteria, and neither is company incorporation — student status is what counts here.
Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur 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 Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur closed on 19 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Code Forge 2026 is a prize-based competition rather than a grant or investment programme, so the rewards are cash and recognition rather than funding against equity.
- Total cash prize pool of ₹25,000, awarded to the winning entries.
- Certificates of Participation for all eligible participants.
- As a competition, it takes no equity stake and involves no repayment obligation.
- Teams keep working with any language, IDE, open-source framework, cloud platform or AI-assisted development tool — the organisers place no restrictions on the technology stack.
The only payment a team makes is the ₹400 registration fee per team, which is non-refundable.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur, 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
Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹25,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Code Forge 2026?
It is an 8-hour software development hackathon held in Nagpur and organised by the Department of Science & Technology at G.H. Raisoni College of Engineering & Management (GHRCEM). The 2026 edition is built around the theme Intelligent Systems, and student teams compete to build and present working software prototypes within the event window.
How much prize money does Code Forge 2026 offer?
The event carries a total cash prize pool of ₹25,000. Alongside the cash prizes, every eligible participant receives a Certificate of Participation.
When does registration close?
The registration deadline is August 19, 2026. Registration happens on Unstop and is treated as confirmed only after the payment has been successfully verified, so it is worth finishing the process early rather than on the last day.
Who is eligible to participate?
The hackathon is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognised colleges and universities. Students from all technical disciplines can apply. You will need to carry a valid college ID during the event, so bring it along on the day.
What are the team rules?
Teams must have between 2 and 4 members. Inter-college teams are permitted, which means you can team up with students from other institutions. Each individual participant may register in only one team.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to take part?
No. This is a student hackathon, not a startup funding scheme, so DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or a registered company are not required. Eligibility rests on your status as an enrolled student at a recognised college or university.
Is there a registration fee, and does the programme take equity?
Yes, there is a fee: ₹400 per team, and it is non-refundable. On the equity question, no — Code Forge 2026 is a competition, so prizes are awarded outright with no equity stake taken and no repayment expected.
What is the theme, and when are the problem statements released?
The theme is Intelligent Systems, covering application areas such as Healthcare & Well-being, Smart Cities, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, and Enterprise Productivity. Official problem statements are released one day before the hackathon, and teams can start planning and building as soon as they are out. Only solutions developed for the assigned problem statement are evaluated.
What must each team submit, and which tools can we use?
Each team has to submit a GitHub repository, a working prototype, project documentation in the form of a README, and a project presentation in PPT or PDF format. There are no restrictions on the technology stack — you can use any programming language, IDE, open-source framework, cloud platform or AI-assisted development tool such as ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Gemini, Claude, Cursor or Windsurf.
How do I apply for Code Forge 2026?
Registration is done through the Unstop platform, and your slot is confirmed after the payment is verified. You can register directly on the Unstop listing for Code Forge 2026 by GHRCEM Nagpur.
What is the application deadline for Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur?
The application deadline for Code Forge 2026 — 8-Hour Intelligent Systems Hackathon in Nagpur is Closed (19 Aug 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
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