HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams
HackDUCS is Sankalan 2026's 12-hour hybrid hackathon run by DoCS, University of Delhi. Student teams of 2–4 build in AI/ML, Web3, cybersecurity or social impact for a ₹22,000 prize pool.
- Funding amount
- ₹22,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (18 Apr 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
HackDUCS is the flagship student hackathon of Sankalan 2026, organised by the Department of Computer Science (DoCS) at the University of Delhi. It gathers student builders from across India for a 12-hour hybrid competition where the goal is to turn a real-world problem into working technology.
Teams choose a track — AI/ML, Web3, Cybersecurity, Social Impact or Open Innovation — and build their solution around it. Because the format is hybrid, Round 1 runs online and only the shortlisted teams travel to the DoCS campus in Delhi for the live finale.
The event is aimed squarely at people who are still studying rather than at companies or solo founders. Every entry is team-based, which keeps the emphasis on collaboration and on shipping something you can actually demonstrate to judges.
Highlights
- 12-hour hybrid hackathon by DoCS, University of Delhi, part of Sankalan 2026
- Open to currently enrolled students from any Indian college; teams of 2–4 members
- Five tracks: AI/ML, Web3, Cybersecurity, Social Impact and Open Innovation
- ₹22,000 cash prize pool — ₹10,000, ₹7,000 and ₹5,000 for the top three teams, each with goodies
- Round 1 is an online PPT plus live project link and GitHub repository; the top 30 teams reach the offline round
- Registration closes on 18 April 2026 through the official Unstop page
Who can apply
HackDUCS is open to anyone who is currently enrolled as a student at a college or university in India. Which institution you study at does not matter — the only condition is that you are an active student at the time of the event.
- Team size: 2 to 4 members. Solo entries are not accepted.
- Participant status: currently enrolled students from any Indian college or university.
- Startup registration: DPIIT recognition or MSME/Udyam registration is not part of the entry criteria — this is a student competition, not a government funding scheme.
- Project age: the project submitted must have been built no earlier than 15 April 2025.
- Tracks: teams may build in AI/ML, Web3, Cybersecurity, Social Impact or Open Innovation.
HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams 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 HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams closed on 18 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Prizes are handed to the three strongest teams, drawn from an overall pot of ₹22,000:
- 1st place: ₹10,000 plus goodies
- 2nd place: ₹7,000 plus goodies
- 3rd place: ₹5,000 plus goodies
Every participant also receives a certificate, and lunch is served during the offline round on the DoCS campus. Teams get to connect with fellow participants, mentors and people working in industry, and to put their work in front of a University of Delhi audience.
As this is a competition rather than an investment programme, the awards are non-dilutive — no equity or ownership share is taken, and teams keep full rights to what they build.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Round 1 — Online submission. Teams file a presentation that sets out the problem they are solving, the solution they propose and the approach behind it. A working link to the live project and a GitHub repository are required as well. The build itself must not predate 15 April 2025. From these entries, the 30 strongest teams earn a place in Round 2.
Round 2 — Offline hackathon. Shortlisted teams come to the DoCS department on the Delhi University campus for the live round, which runs in two phases:
- Phase 1: each team is handed a surprise feature that it has to add to the project it already built and make work. Judging for this phase begins at 3:00 PM, after which only eight teams move on.
- Phase 2: final presentations start at 4:30 PM.
Results and the closing ceremony are scheduled for 6:00 PM.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams, 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
HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹22,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a winning team take home at HackDUCS?
The overall prize pot is ₹22,000 and it is split across the three best teams. The winner receives ₹10,000, the runner-up ₹7,000 and the third-placed team ₹5,000, and each of the three also gets goodies. On top of that, every participant receives a certificate and lunch is provided on the day of the offline round.
Who is eligible to take part in HackDUCS?
Entry is limited to students who are currently enrolled at a college or university in India. Your institution does not matter — any college or university counts. You cannot enter on your own; participation is exclusively team-based, with 2 to 4 members per team.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration closes on 18 April 2026. Teams sign up through the official Unstop listing for the event, and joining the official WhatsApp group is a good idea if you want updates as the date approaches.
Do we need DPIIT or MSME registration to apply?
No. HackDUCS is a student competition, so the startup-registration requirements you would normally see for a government scheme, such as DPIIT recognition or an MSME/Udyam certificate, do not apply here. Being an enrolled student with a team of 2 to 4 members is all that is needed.
Does the hackathon take equity in our project?
No. The awards are competition prizes rather than an investment, so no equity or ownership share changes hands. Your team retains full rights over whatever it builds.
What has to be submitted in Round 1?
Each team files a presentation (PPT) that explains the problem it is tackling, the solution it proposes and the approach behind it. You also need to share a working link to your live project along with a GitHub repository. The project must have been built no earlier than 15 April 2025 — older work will not be accepted.
What happens if our team gets shortlisted?
The 30 best entries from Round 1 are invited to the offline hackathon at the DoCS department on the Delhi University campus. There, each team is handed a surprise feature that it has to add to its existing build, with judging for that phase starting at 3:00 PM. Only eight teams then progress to the final presentations, which begin at 4:30 PM, and the results and closing ceremony follow at 6:00 PM.
Which domains or tracks can we build in?
You can pick from Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Web3, Cybersecurity, Social Impact or Open Innovation. Teams are free to choose whichever track best fits their idea.
Is the hackathon online or offline?
It is hybrid. Round 1, the submission stage, is handled entirely online, so teams can take part from anywhere in India. Round 2 is held in person at the Department of Computer Science, University of Delhi, and only the shortlisted teams travel for it.
How do we apply?
Registrations go through the official Unstop page for HackDUCS: https://unstop.com/hackathons/hackducs-hackathon-sankalan-2026-department-of-computer-science-docs-university-of-delhi-du-1675589. Teams are also encouraged to join the official WhatsApp group so they receive real-time updates and announcements.
How do I apply for HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams
Not sure HackDUCS Hackathon — ₹22,000 Prize Pool for Student Teams 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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