PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool
Bank of India's PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 invites Indian students, developers, cybersecurity professionals and startups to build solutions for AI-driven security, cyber defence and fraud in banking. The total cash prize pool is ₹10,00,000, with entries closing on June 22, 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹10L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Bank of India
- Application deadline
- Closed (22 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Bank of India has launched the PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026, a contest aimed squarely at the security problems that public sector banks deal with every day. Rather than a general technology sprint, the brief asks entrants to work on three defined areas: putting artificial intelligence to work in security, building cybersecurity defences, and catching and stopping fraud in banking systems.
The organisers have extended the invitation to Indian participants across the board — students, working developers, cybersecurity specialists and startup teams are all named as welcome. No conditions have been placed on how large a team can be, and no age bar has been announced.
The hackathon occupies a six-day window, running from June 17 to June 22, 2026, with the same final date serving as the cut-off for both registration and solution submission. A cash prize pool of ₹10,00,000 — advertised as up to ₹10 lakh — sits behind the competition.
Registration and submission are handled through the official Internshala competition page for the event.
Highlights
- Organised by Bank of India as a cybersecurity hackathon aimed at public sector banking.
- Total cash prize pool of ₹10,00,000, quoted as up to ₹10 lakh.
- Three themes: AI for security, cybersecurity solutions, and banking-fraud detection and prevention.
- Open to Indian students, developers, cybersecurity professionals and startups, with no team-size or age limits stated.
- Hackathon window: June 17–22, 2026, with submissions due by June 22, 2026.
- Registration and submission go through the official Internshala competition page.
Who can apply
The hackathon is open to Indian participants only. There is no requirement to be part of a registered company, and no age or team-size condition has been announced.
- Who is invited: students, developers, cybersecurity professionals and startups holding ideas in cybersecurity or fraud prevention.
- Nationality: Indian participants.
- Team size: no specific limit stated.
- Age: no restriction stated.
- DPIIT recognition / MSME registration: not listed as a requirement.
- Subject fit: solutions should land within one of the three themes — artificial intelligence for security, cybersecurity, or banking-fraud detection and prevention.
Because the raw details mention no sector, state or entity-type filter beyond the Indian-participant requirement, individual applicants and startup teams sit on the same footing here.
PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool 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 PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool closed on 22 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The programme carries a total cash prize pool of ₹10,00,000, described as up to ₹10 lakh.
- The reward is prize money paid out to winning entries, not an investment.
- Because this is a competition rather than a funding scheme, no equity stake is taken in any participant's venture and nothing has to be repaid.
- The exact distribution of the pool — how much goes to the first, second or other placed teams — has not been published in the available details.
Beyond the cash prize pool, no grants, loans, incubation support or other instruments are described for this hackathon.
About the provider
PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool is offered by Bank of India. It is delivered directly by Bank of India as a competition.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool, 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
PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is the PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026?
It is a cybersecurity-focused hackathon run by Bank of India. Participants are asked to develop solutions to real-world problems across artificial intelligence for security, cybersecurity, and the detection and prevention of banking fraud, with the broader aim of strengthening the digital security of public sector banks. A total cash prize pool of ₹10,00,000 is attached to the competition.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total cash prize pool is ₹10,00,000, which is quoted as up to ₹10 lakh. The available details do not break this down, so it is not clear how much is set aside for each winning position.
Who is eligible to take part?
The hackathon is open to Indian participants. Students, software developers, cybersecurity professionals and startups with ideas in cybersecurity and fraud prevention are all named as the intended audience. The organisers have not stated any team-size limit or age requirement.
What themes or tracks should my solution fit?
There are three core themes. The first is artificial intelligence applied to security. The second is cybersecurity solutions in general. The third is detecting and preventing fraud in banking. An entry should sit within one of these areas.
When does the hackathon run, and what is the last date to apply?
The hackathon period is June 17 to June 22, 2026. Both registration and solution submission must be completed by June 22, 2026, which is the final deadline.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration to apply?
No. Neither DPIIT recognition nor MSME registration appears among the requirements for this hackathon. It is open to Indian participants broadly, so individual students and developers can apply alongside startup teams.
Does the programme take equity in my venture?
No. This is a competition that pays out cash prizes rather than an investment programme, so there is no equity stake involved and no repayment obligation attached to the prize money.
How do I register and submit my solution?
Applications are made through the official Internshala competition page for the PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026, available at https://internshala.com/competitions/psbs-cyber-shield-hackathon-2026/. Make sure your entry is submitted before the June 22, 2026 deadline.
Are the judging criteria or round structure published anywhere?
The details available for this hackathon do not specify the judging criteria or the round-by-round structure. What is confirmed is the June 17–22, 2026 window, the three themes, the Indian-participant eligibility and the ₹10,00,000 prize pool.
Who offers PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool?
PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool is offered by Bank of India. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
How do I apply for PSBs Cyber Shield Hackathon 2026 — ₹10L Cybersecurity Prize Pool?
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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