DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry
A free-entry national deep-tech hackathon by DPIIT for AI, Robotics, AgriTech and CleanTech innovators, with a ₹1,25,000 cash prize pool. Held on July 31, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.3L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (31 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 is a national deep-tech competition organised by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), the government department that also runs Startup India. It sits under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Entry is free, and everything happens on a single day — July 31, 2026. That same date is also the submission deadline, so there is no gap between the event and the cut-off.
The hackathon invites participants to build and present solutions across four tracks: Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, AgriTech and CleanTech. It is aimed at Indian students, researchers and early-stage startups, and you can take part either individually or as a team.
Winning teams share a cash pool of ₹1,25,000, and the organisers note that DPIIT support beyond cash — mentorship and incubation — may also be extended to winners. Entries are assessed on innovation, technical complexity, feasibility and the potential social impact of the solution.
Highlights
- National deep-tech hackathon run by DPIIT, Government of India
- Free to enter; single-day event on July 31, 2026, which is also the submission deadline
- Four tracks: AI, Robotics, AgriTech and CleanTech
- Total cash prize pool of ₹1,25,000, listed at up to ₹1.3 lakh
- Open to Indian students, researchers and early-stage startups — solo or in teams
- Winners may also receive mentorship and incubation support from DPIIT
Who can apply
Participation is limited to Indian nationals.
According to the organisers, the hackathon is meant for students, researchers and early-stage startups working on deep-tech innovation — so you do not need an incorporated company to take part.
- You can enter as an individual or as part of a team.
- No team size limit has been specified.
- The listing does not require DPIIT or MSME registration.
- No state-level restriction is mentioned — the eligibility is framed by nationality and the deep-tech nature of the work.
If your project sits in AI, robotics, agritech or cleantech, you match the target profile.
DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry 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 DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry closed on 31 Jul 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 prize competition, not a grant, loan or equity investment. The awards come out of a total cash pool of ₹1,25,000, distributed among the winning teams, and the competition is listed with a headline amount of up to ₹1.3 lakh.
Alongside the cash, the organisers state that winners may receive non-cash support from DPIIT in the form of:
- Mentorship
- Incubation support
Registration itself costs nothing, so there is no participation fee to recover. Because the rewards are prizes rather than an investment, no equity or ownership stake is taken in your project.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Submissions close on July 31, 2026 — the same day the hackathon is held.
Entries are then assessed against four stated judging criteria:
- Innovation — how original the solution is
- Technical complexity — the depth of engineering involved
- Feasibility — whether the idea can realistically be built and deployed
- Potential for societal impact — the difference it could make
The strongest entries across the four tracks are recognised with prizes from the ₹1,25,000 pool.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry, 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
DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.3L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much can I win at the DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026?
Winning teams share a total cash pool of ₹1,25,000, and the competition is listed with a headline amount of up to ₹1.3 lakh. On top of the cash, DPIIT may extend non-cash support such as mentorship and incubation to winners.
What is the deadline to take part?
The event and the submission deadline are the same date: July 31, 2026. Registration stays open until then, and it is free.
Who is eligible for this hackathon?
Entry is open to Indian nationals. The organisers describe the target audience as students, researchers and early-stage startups working on deep-tech ideas, and you can participate either alone or as part of a team.
Is there a registration fee?
No. The hackathon is free to enter — there is no charge for registering or for submitting your project.
Is there a limit on how many people can be in a team?
No team size restriction has been specified by the organisers. You are free to apply as an individual or as a team.
Which areas or tracks can I submit a project in?
There are four tracks:
- AI — machine learning and generative AI, natural language processing, computer vision
- Robotics — autonomous systems, drones, industrial robots
- AgriTech — precision farming, supply chain, crop monitoring
- CleanTech — renewable energy, waste management, water conservation
Does the hackathon take equity in my startup?
No. It is a competition with cash prizes rather than an investment scheme, so no equity or ownership stake is taken in your project or idea.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to participate?
The listing does not state DPIIT or MSME registration as a requirement. Eligibility is framed around Indian nationality and working in the deep-tech space, not around startup registrations.
How will my project be judged?
Judging looks at four things: innovation, technical complexity, feasibility, and the potential for societal impact of the solution.
How do I apply for DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026?
Register through the official Internshala competition page for the hackathon, which is linked from this listing: https://internshala.com/competitions/deeptech-bharat-hackathon-2026/. Registration is free and open until July 31, 2026. The competition is organised by DPIIT, a department under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.
Alternatives to DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry
Not sure DeepTech Bharat Hackathon 2026 — ₹1.25L Prize Pool, Free Entry is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.