Grand Hack IPEC: 24-Hour National Hackathon for Students

Grand Hack IPEC is a national hackathon for students, delivered by HackShastra together with Inderprastha Engineering College (IPEC). The entire build-and-pitch cycle is compressed into one continuous, 24-hour offline sprint on the IPEC campus, and it draws participants from colleges and universities spread across India rather than from a single city.

Teams work from problem statements handed out by the organisers, then spend the next 24 hours turning an idea into something that actually runs. Industry experts act as mentors through the build and move into the judge's chair at the end.

Getting to the campus is a filtered route rather than an open walk-in. Teams first clear an online PPT-based screening round, then move into a mentorship and validation loop with experts, and only then reach the offline finale, where they code a functioning prototype from the ground up.

Winning squads are honoured during a closing ceremony. The organisers have not made the award amounts public, so treat the prize value as undisclosed rather than fixed.

Registration shuts on 15 September 2026, and entries are handled through the official Internshala competition page for the event.

• A 24-hour, offline national hackathon run by HackShastra with Inderprastha Engineering College (IPEC).
• Open to students who are currently enrolled at an Indian college or university; teams can pre-register or be formed at the venue.
• Registration closes 15 September 2026 through the official Internshala competition page.
• Three-phase route: online PPT screening → mentorship and validation with experts → 24-hour offline finale at IPEC.
• Prize-giving happens at the closing ceremony; the organisers have not disclosed the award amounts.
• Finalists gain exposure to startup networks in the region and to technology recruiters.

Eligibility for Grand Hack IPEC is built around students. You need to be enrolled at a college or university in India to take part — the organisers describe the event as open to Indian students.

• Student status: current enrolment at an Indian college or university is the core requirement.
• Reach: it is a national event, so students from any part of India can apply, not only those studying on the host campus.
• Teams: you can register a team in advance, or find teammates on the spot once you reach the venue.
• Team size: the organisers have not announced a limit.
• Stream or sector: no restriction on branch, course or technology area has been published.
• Registration status: DPIIT recognition or MSME registration is not part of the criteria — this is a student competition, not a government funding scheme.

Grand Hack IPEC: 24-Hour National Hackathon for Students is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.

The most recent application window for Grand Hack IPEC: 24-Hour National Hackathon for Students closed on 15 Sept 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.

Grand Hack IPEC is a competition, so there is no single grant figure attached to it. The organisers confirm awards for the winning teams at the closing ceremony but have not disclosed the amounts, which is why the value is listed as varying.

What every shortlisted participant does get is a structured three-phase experience:

• An online PPT screening round: teams clear an initial presentation-based filter to qualify.
• A validation loop with industry mentors: qualifying teams have their idea reviewed and pressure-tested by experts before the finale.
• The offline finale at IPEC: shortlisted teams build a working prototype from the ground up inside one 24-hour window.

At the end, finalists put their build in front of a panel of expert judges. The organisers also point to the visibility that comes with taking part — exposure to startup networks in the region and to technology recruiters watching the room.

There is no equity component and nothing to repay. The upside here is the award, the mentoring and the exposure.

Grand Hack IPEC: 24-Hour National Hackathon for Students is offered by Inderprastha Engineering College, a startup incubator. It is delivered directly by Inderprastha Engineering College as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.

Entries are filtered through three phases before any prize is decided:

• Phase 1 — online PPT screening: a presentation round that determines which teams move forward.
• Phase 2 — mentorship and validation loop: selected teams work with industry experts who test and validate the idea.
• Phase 3 — offline finale at IPEC: teams code a working prototype from the ground up during a continuous 24-hour build on the college campus.
• Judging and closing ceremony: finalists present their prototype to a panel of expert judges, after which the winning teams are announced at the closing ceremony.

No stage-by-stage dates beyond the registration deadline of 15 September 2026, and no separate evaluation scorecard, have been published by the organisers.

Before you apply to Grand Hack IPEC: 24-Hour National Hackathon for Students, 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.