MIT India Hackathon 2026 — ₹25.88L Prize Pool for Student Teams of 4 — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions founders most often ask about MIT India Hackathon 2026 — ₹25.88L Prize Pool for Student Teams of 4 — who qualifies, the funding amount, required documents and how the application works.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money is on offer at the MIT India Hackathon 2026?
The total prize pool is ₹25.88 lakh. Individual cash prizes for winning teams range from ₹10,000 to ₹2,00,000, and awards are distributed across both the Pune Qualifier and the Delhi Grand Finale as well as across the ESM and Design tracks. Cash prizes and cloud credits are also given out at the qualifier stage.
Who is eligible to take part?
The hackathon is open to students in India studying in Management, Design, Engineering or Science streams. Every member of a participating team must be a student in one of these streams. Teams are allowed to mix disciplines.
How many members does a team need?
Exactly four. Team size is fixed — teams larger or smaller than four members are not accepted, so you should register only once you have a complete four-person unit.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration opens on 10 July 2026 and closes on 16 August 2026. Teams must complete their registration by that closing date. Further event details are shared with registered teams by email.
Is there a fee to participate?
Yes. The Pune Qualifier costs ₹4,000 per team, which is mandatory, and optional add-ons are available for executive lunch and accommodation. Teams shortlisted for the Grand Finale in Delhi pay ₹10,000 per team, again mandatory, with optional add-ons on top.
What are the two tracks, and how many teams are in each?
Teams choose between the Engineering/Science/Management (ESM) track, aimed at technical and business solutions, and the Design track, focused on user experience, product design and creative problem-solving. The Pune Qualifier hosts 70 ESM teams and 30 Design teams, and the Grand Finale hosts 20 ESM teams and 10 Design teams.
When and where do the two rounds take place?
The Pune Qualifier is held on 21 August 2026 at MIT Academy of Engineering, Pune. The Grand Finale takes place on 24 October 2026 at the IES 2026 event in New Delhi, with the top 30 teams competing there.
What problem statements will teams work on?
Problem statements are released on Day 1 of the Pune Qualifier, 21 August 2026, across six sectors: Government, Social, Defence, Healthcare, Technical and Industrial. The same problem statement carries through to the Grand Finale, so finalists continue developing the same solution rather than starting over.
How are teams judged?
Evaluation is rubric-based. Each team is assessed by a panel of three industry experts, and 48 professionals in total are involved in the judging panels across the two stages.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration, and does the hackathon take equity?
No. This is a student competition, not an equity investment or a government funding scheme, so there is no equity stake taken and no dilution involved — teams compete for cash prizes, AWS certification vouchers and cloud credits. DPIIT or MSME registration is also not listed among the entry requirements; eligibility rests on being a student team of four.
How do I apply?
Registration is done through the official Unstop page for the National Level MIT India Hackathon 2026, run by MIT Academy of Engineering (MITAOE), Pune. Complete your team's registration by 16 August 2026, after which event details will be communicated to registered teams by email.
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