DATASPHERE 2026 Hackathon — ₹4,500 Prize Pool for Students — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions founders most often ask about DATASPHERE 2026 Hackathon — ₹4,500 Prize Pool for Students — who qualifies, the funding amount, required documents and how the application works.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is DATASPHERE 2026?
It is a hackathon run by Brainiacs – The Data Science Society, the data science society at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, working with the college's Department of Statistics. The event is held offline, asks teams to build AI and IoT solutions for industrial problems, and closes with a presentation day on campus.
Who can take part in the hackathon?
Any team with between two and four members can enter, and the organisers describe the hackathon as primarily aimed at students. Solo entries do not fit the format, and since the last round is held in person, team members need to be able to travel to Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi.
How much prize money is on offer?
The cash prize pool totals ₹4,500 and is divided among the three best-placed teams, who also receive certificates. The organisers have not published the exact amount that goes to each position.
What is the theme, and can I submit a project outside it?
The core theme is 'AI & IoT for Smart Industrial Ecosystems: Optimizing Energy, Resources, and Waste for a Sustainable Economy'. Promising directions within it include sensor-based monitoring of energy, machines and waste, AI/ML for prediction and anomaly detection, waste management, KPI dashboards, and automation for predictive maintenance and load balancing. Projects that fall outside the theme are also accepted, so a strong idea in another area is still eligible.
What are the important dates and deadlines?
Registration and the abstract are due by 17 April 2026 at 11:59 AM, and the technical proposal is due by 11:59 PM on the same day. The final offline presentation takes place on 18 April 2026 from 10 AM to 5 PM at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi.
How many rounds are there and how does the final day work?
There are three rounds. Round 1 is an abstract submission, Round 2 is a technical proposal, and Round 3 is the final presentation. The first two rounds are judged on written material, while the last round brings shortlisted teams together in person for a presentation lasting through the day.
Is the hackathon online or offline?
It is described as an offline hackathon. The abstract and technical proposal are filed through an online Google Form, but the event culminates in an in-person final presentation at Sri Venkateswara College, University of Delhi, on 18 April 2026.
Does DATASPHERE 2026 take equity in my project?
No. This is a competition with cash prizes rather than an investment or lending programme, so winning teams do not give away a stake in their work and there is nothing to repay.
How do I apply?
Register and submit your abstract through the official Google Form at https://forms.gle/65mbdPVitEw9q9Hd7. Registration and the abstract must be in by 17 April 2026 at 11:59 AM, and the technical proposal follows on the same day by 11:59 PM.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to enter?
No. Those requirements belong to government grant and funding schemes; DATASPHERE 2026 is a student hackathon and lists no such registration conditions. Eligibility comes down to team size and student participation.
Who is eligible to apply for DATASPHERE 2026 Hackathon — ₹4,500 Prize Pool for Students?
DATASPHERE 2026 Hackathon — ₹4,500 Prize Pool for Students is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
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