DropHack
A 10-hour offline hackathon in Gurgaon for elite student developers — ₹50,000 prize pool across 5 tech themes.
- Funding amount
- ₹50,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 1 Aug 2026
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
DropHack is an intense offline hackathon organised by SIEC Community, designed exclusively for elite student developers. The event tests raw coding ability and adaptability — problem statements are kept secret until "Zero-Hour," when teams have exactly 10 hours to build and ship a working prototype. No pre-built templates or rehearsed pitches are allowed.
Who Should Apply Open only to students pursuing technical degrees such as B.Tech, BE, BCA, MCA, M.Tech, BSc IT, or equivalent. Solo participation is not permitted; teams must have 2–4 members. Inter-college and inter-specialisation teams are welcome.
Tracks Challenges span five high-demand tech sectors: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Web3 & Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Fintech, and Healthcare Tech.
How It Works The competition has three phases:
- Registration & Profile Screening on Unstop.
- A pre-hackathon online assessment: a 45-minute quiz on coding and algorithmic fundamentals that filters for the top 15% of teams.
- The main offline event in Gurgaon: a 10-hour sprint where problem statements are revealed live. Teams must build an MVP, submit a GitHub repository, and present a technical walkthrough to judges.
Prizes Total cash prize pool of ₹50,000, distributed as ₹10,000 per track winner (one per theme). Winning teams also receive exclusive goodies and swags.
How to Apply Register your team on Unstop before the deadline. All members must update their profiles with their technical degree, tech stack, and GitHub or LinkedIn links.
Highlights
- ₹50,000 cash prize pool
- For elite student developers only
- 10-hour offline hackathon in Gurgaon
- Five tracks: AI, Web3, Cybersecurity, Fintech, Healthcare
- Exclusive goodies and swags for winners
- Phase-based elimination with online quiz and offline sprint
Who can apply
Open to students currently enrolled in technical degree programs (B.Tech, BE, BCA, MCA, M.Tech, BSc IT, or equivalent). Teams must consist of 2–4 members. Solo applications are not accepted. There are no restrictions on college or specialisation — inter-college and inter-specialisation teams are encouraged. All code must be written during the 10-hour sprint; no pre-compiled code is allowed.
DropHack 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
Applications for DropHack are open and the current deadline is 1 Aug 2026. Applications are closing soon, so prepare your documents early. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
- ₹50,000 total cash prize pool
- Each of the five track winners (Fintech, AI, Web3, Cybersecurity, Healthcare) receives ₹10,000
- Exclusive goodies and swags for each winning team
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Applications are evaluated in three stages:
- Registration & Profile Screening: Teams register on Unstop and all members must have updated profiles showcasing their technical degrees, tech stacks, and GitHub/LinkedIn links.
- Pre-Hackathon Online Assessment (Elimination Round): A 45-minute online quiz on coding and algorithmic fundamentals. Only the top 15% of teams advance.
- DropHack Main Offline Event: Shortlisted teams are invited to the physical venue in Gurgaon. Problem statements are revealed at Zero-Hour, and teams have 10 hours to build a working prototype. They must submit a GitHub repository and deliver a technical walkthrough to judges, who evaluate based on raw adaptability, logical thinking, and rapid execution.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to DropHack, 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
DropHack is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹50,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the total prize pool for DropHack?
The total cash prize pool is ₹50,000, with each of the five track winners receiving ₹10,000. Winning teams also get exclusive goodies and swags.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline to register is August 1, 2026.
Who can apply for DropHack?
Only students enrolled in technical degree programs (B.Tech, BE, BCA, MCA, M.Tech, BSc IT, or equivalent) are eligible. Solo applications are not accepted; teams must have 2–4 members.
What are the five tracks or themes?
The tracks are Artificial Intelligence (AI), Web3 & Blockchain, Cybersecurity, Fintech, and Healthcare Tech.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to participate?
No, DPIIT or MSME registration is not required. DropHack is a college-level hackathon, not a startup funding program.
Does DropHack take equity from participants?
No, DropHack is a competition with cash prizes and goodies. It does not take any equity from participants.
How do I apply?
Register your team on Unstop at the official DropHack page. All team members must update their profiles with their technical degree, tech stack, and GitHub/LinkedIn links.
Is the hackathon online or offline?
DropHack has an online elimination round (a 45-minute quiz), but the main event is a 10-hour offline sprint held in Gurgaon.
What is the selection process?
After registration, teams take an online quiz. Only the top 15% advance to the offline event. There, problem statements are revealed at Zero-Hour, and teams must build an MVP, submit a GitHub repo, and present to judges.
What documents or materials do I need to prepare?
You need an updated Unstop profile with your technical degree, tech stack, and GitHub/LinkedIn links. For the offline event, you must bring your own laptop and any development tools. No pre-written code is allowed.
How much funding does DropHack provide?
DropHack provides ₹50,000 (up to) as competition. Always confirm the exact amount and any conditions on the official site, as figures can change between cohorts.
Alternatives to DropHack
Not sure DropHack is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
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