NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi
A 36-hour national-level hackathon by IITM New Delhi for college students, with a ₹37,000+ cash prize pool, mentorship, and free stay for shortlisted finalists.
- Funding amount
- ₹37,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closes in 11d (26 Sept 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
NexHack 2.0 is a national-level hackathon organised by the Institute of Information Technology & Management (IITM), New Delhi. The offline finale runs for 36 hours on 25–26 September 2026 at IITM's Janakpuri campus, and the challenge set for participants is to build AI-driven solutions to real-world problems.
Teams come from colleges and universities across the country, and the organisers encourage cross-disciplinary line-ups rather than single-department groups. Beginners are explicitly welcome, so a first hackathon is not a barrier to entry.
The event is structured in phases. Teams first register through Devfolio and then present their idea online to a mentor panel on 5 September 2026. Only the highest-scoring teams from that round travel to Delhi for the finale, where they develop their solutions with mentors and industry guidance on hand.
Alongside the cash prizes, participants can expect swags, goodies and certificates, meals during the 36-hour finale, and free accommodation for shortlisted teams attending offline.
Highlights
- 36-hour national-level hackathon at IITM, Janakpuri, New Delhi on 25–26 September 2026.
- Cash prize pool of ₹37,000+, plus swags, goodies and certificates for eligible participants.
- Open to students of all colleges and universities; teams of 2 to 5 members.
- An online idea presentation on 5 September 2026 decides which teams reach the finale.
- Free accommodation and meals for shortlisted offline participants.
Who can apply
NexHack 2.0 is open to students at any college or university — the programme details set no restriction by institution, course, stream or year of study.
- Team size: 2 to 5 members.
- Team composition: cross-disciplinary teams are encouraged, so members can come from different departments or backgrounds.
- Experience level: beginners are welcome, and prior hackathon experience is not required.
Eligibility rests on being a student and forming a valid team. This is not a government funding scheme, so DPIIT recognition, MSME registration or an incorporated company are not part of the criteria.
NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi 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 NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi are open and the current deadline is Closes in 11d (26 Sept 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
NexHack 2.0 is a prize-based competition rather than a grant, loan or investment scheme. What participants and winners receive is:
- A cash prize pool of ₹37,000+, awarded to winning teams.
- Swags, goodies and participation certificates for eligible participants.
- Meals and refreshments provided across the 36-hour offline hackathon.
- Free accommodation for shortlisted teams attending the offline finale in New Delhi.
- Mentorship and industry guidance during the finale build phase.
Since the rewards are competition prizes, no equity or ownership stake is involved.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Phase 1 — Registration. Teams sign up through the Devfolio listing before the deadline. Registration is the only entry route mentioned.
Phase 2 — Online Idea Presentation (5 September 2026). Each team pitches its idea to a mentor panel in an online session. The presentation is expected to cover the problem statement, the proposed solution, the tech stack, key features, expected impact, a prototype (recommended rather than compulsory) and future scope, followed by a Q&A.
Phase 3 — Shortlisting. The best-scoring teams from the online round are shortlisted for the grand finale.
Phase 4 — Final Offline Hackathon (25–26 September 2026). Shortlisted teams spend 36 hours at IITM, Janakpuri, New Delhi, developing and sharpening their solutions, with mentors and industry guidance available throughout.
Phase 5 — Final Evaluation and Winner Announcement. Teams put their working solutions on show, and the winners are declared at the closing ceremony.
How the online round is scored: Innovation & Originality 25%, Problem Relevance & Impact 20%, Feasibility 20%, Technical Approach 15%, Presentation Clarity 10% and Scalability & Future Scope 10%.
How the finale is scored: innovation, technical complexity, functionality, UI/UX, real-world impact, presentation, scalability and business potential.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi, 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
NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹37,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is NexHack 2.0?
It is a national-level hackathon run by the Institute of Information Technology & Management (IITM), New Delhi. The finale is a 36-hour offline event where student teams build AI-driven solutions to real-world problems. It runs in stages — an online idea presentation first, then the offline finale in New Delhi.
How much funding or prize money is on offer?
The total cash prize pool is ₹37,000+, which is awarded to the winning teams. On top of the cash, there are swags, goodies and participation certificates for eligible participants, meals and refreshments during the 36-hour finale, and free accommodation for shortlisted teams attending offline.
Who can apply for NexHack 2.0?
Any student from any college or university can take part — there is no restriction by institution, course or region in the programme details. You enter as a team of 2 to 5 members. Cross-disciplinary teams are encouraged, and beginners are welcome.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to participate?
No. NexHack 2.0 is not a government funding scheme, so DPIIT or MSME status is not part of the criteria. The requirements are simply that you are a student and that you register as a team of 2 to 5 members.
What is the application deadline and how do I register?
Registration happens through Devfolio, and the deadline is 26 September 2026. Teams sign up via the NexHack 2.0 Devfolio listing. Important announcements are shared by email and in the WhatsApp community, so keep an eye on those channels after you register.
What happens in the online idea presentation round?
On 5 September 2026, teams present their project idea to a mentor panel in an online session. The pitch should cover the problem statement, your proposed solution, the tech stack, key features, expected impact, future scope, and a prototype if you have one — a prototype is recommended but not compulsory. A Q&A session follows.
How are the teams judged?
The online round uses fixed weightings: Innovation & Originality 25%, Problem Relevance & Impact 20%, Feasibility 20%, Technical Approach 15%, Presentation Clarity 10% and Scalability & Future Scope 10%. At the finale, judges assess innovation, technical complexity, functionality, UI/UX, real-world impact, presentation, scalability and business potential.
When and where is the offline hackathon held?
The final offline round runs for 36 hours on 25–26 September 2026 at IITM, Janakpuri, New Delhi. Only teams shortlisted from the online round attend. Meals and refreshments are provided throughout the event, and shortlisted participants get free accommodation.
Does NexHack 2.0 take equity in my idea or team?
No. This is a hackathon competition that awards cash prizes, swags and goodies rather than making an investment, so no equity or ownership stake is involved.
I am a complete beginner — is it still worth entering?
Yes. The organisers state that beginners are highly welcome and that cross-disciplinary teams are encouraged. Mentors and industry guidance are available during the finale build phase, so first-time hackers get support rather than being expected to arrive with a finished product.
How do I apply for NexHack 2.0 — ₹37,000+ National Student Hackathon, New Delhi?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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