Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026
An online AI hackathon by Kaya with a ₹3,50,000 prize pool, open to Indian participants.
- Funding amount
- ₹3.5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (10 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 is an online competition organized by Kaya, featuring a total prize pool of ₹3,50,000. Participants are challenged to create innovative solutions using AI, IoT, and enterprise technologies. The hackathon is fully virtual, running from June 10 to July 10, 2026, allowing participants to collaborate from anywhere. It is open to Indian students, developers, and tech enthusiasts, both solo and teams. Submissions are judged on creativity, technical execution, and impact. The event focuses on themes such as IoT, Machine Learning/AI, and Enterprise applications. To apply, participants must register via the Devpost page and submit their projects by the deadline.
Highlights
- Total cash prize pool of ₹3,50,000
- Open to Indian students, developers & tech enthusiasts
- Fully virtual AI hackathon running from June 10 to July 10, 2026
- Focus on AI, IoT & Enterprise solutions
- Solo participants and teams are welcome
Who can apply
The hackathon is open to participants from India, including students, developers, and tech enthusiasts. Both solo participants and teams are welcome. There are no specific restrictions on team size, industry, or entity type. No DPIIT or MSME registration is required. There are no founder requirements mentioned.
Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 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 Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 closed on 10 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The total cash prize pool for the hackathon is ₹3,50,000. The exact distribution of prizes (e.g., number of winners, amounts per rank) is not specified. Participants may also gain recognition and exposure from the competition.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026, 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
Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹3.5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the prize amount for the Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026?
The total cash prize pool is ₹3,50,000. The exact breakdown among winners has not been disclosed.
When is the deadline to submit?
The hackathon runs from June 10 to July 10, 2026. All submissions must be made by July 10, 2026.
Who can participate in this hackathon?
The hackathon is open to participants from India, including students, developers, and tech enthusiasts. Both individuals and teams are allowed.
Is there a team size limit?
No specific team size restrictions have been mentioned. Solo participants are also welcome.
What themes or technologies are focused on?
The hackathon focuses on IoT, Machine Learning/AI, and Enterprise applications.
Is this a virtual or in-person event?
It is a fully virtual hackathon, so you can participate from anywhere.
How do I apply?
You need to register and submit your project via the Devpost page at https://kaya-ai-iit-hackathon-2026.devpost.com/
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to participate?
No, DPIIT or MSME registration is not required for this hackathon.
What are the judging criteria?
Submissions are judged on creativity, technical execution, and impact.
Is there any equity taken from winners?
No, this is a competition with cash prizes, not an investment program, so no equity is taken.
How much funding does Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 provide?
Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 provides ₹3.5L (up to) as competition. Always confirm the exact amount and any conditions on the official site, as figures can change between cohorts.
Who is eligible to apply for Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026?
Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
Alternatives to Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026
Not sure Kaya AI IIT India Hackathon 2026 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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