Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs
Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 is Gamnexis's nationwide contest that takes Indian college students from a game idea all the way to a playable puzzle build, with ₹1,700 in cash prizes and free Round 1 entry.
- Funding amount
- ₹1,700 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (15 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 is a nationwide contest run by Gamnexis, an India-based organiser of student hackathons and innovation challenges. Entrants are asked to take a puzzle game from a written idea through to a finished, playable build.
The contest is aimed at college students from every academic stream in India. You can sign up on your own or as part of a group of five or fewer, and the organisers stress that first-timers are as welcome as seasoned developers.
Any puzzle genre is fair game — logic, hyper-casual, maze, drawing, physics, escape, path finding, tile matching, colour sorting, parking jam, rope, water sort, block, gravity, sliding, timing, brain teasers and strategy puzzles are all named as examples, and entirely new concepts are equally acceptable. Gamnexis also points entrants towards AI, machine learning, game building, edtech and student-focused applications, with the aim of tackling genuine educational problems, helping students be more productive, or making learning more engaging.
The hackathon runs in two rounds, with a free first stage. Round 1 submissions close on 15 August 2026, and only those shortlisted from that stage go on to build and submit a final game.
Highlights
- Two-round national hackathon organised by Gamnexis; Round 1 registration is free.
- ₹1,700 in total prize money — ₹1,000 for first place, ₹500 for second and ₹200 for third.
- Extra certificates for Best AI Game, Best Mobile Game and Best UI & UX, plus a digital participation certificate for everyone who finishes.
- Open to college students anywhere in India, from any academic discipline, with beginners welcome.
- Enter solo or as a group of five or fewer.
- Round 1 idea presentations are due by 15 August 2026 via the official Unstop event page.
Who can apply
Who can enter: students currently enrolled in a college or university anywhere in India. Every academic discipline qualifies, whether that is engineering, design, science, management or the arts.
Team size: solo entries are allowed, and groups may not have more than five members.
Experience: no development background is needed. The organisers explicitly invite beginners alongside experienced developers.
Cost: Round 1 registration is free, and you apply through the official Unstop event page.
Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs 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 Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs closed on 15 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
This is a prize-based competition rather than a grant, loan or investment scheme, and the rewards are paid in cash alongside certificates.
- First place: ₹1,000 cash plus a Winner Certificate.
- Second place: ₹500 cash plus a Runner-up Certificate.
- Third place: ₹200 cash plus a Second Runner-up Certificate.
The total prize money on offer across the three places is ₹1,700.
Three special awards are handed out as certificates: Best AI Game, Best Mobile Game and Best UI & UX.
Separately, every eligible entrant who completes the hackathon receives a digital participation certificate, so finishing the contest carries recognition of its own.
Because the rewards are competition prizes, no equity changes hands and nothing is taken in return for the money.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries move through two rounds.
Round 1 — idea and presentation (free entry). You submit a presentation covering your game's title, the problem statement, the concept, gameplay mechanics, the target audience, core features, the game flow, UI/UX mock-ups, your technology stack and the development roadmap. Judges weigh how original, feasible and creative the idea is, along with how well the deck is put together. Only the shortlisted teams advance.
Round 2 — final project submission. Shortlisted entrants must deliver a working game in APK, web or desktop form, alongside a GitHub repository, a demo video of 2–5 minutes, a final presentation, README documentation and the game assets. The build has to be stable and playable, and it must include the features proposed back in Round 1.
Final judging is weighted as follows:
- Innovation and originality: 25%
- Gameplay experience: 25%
- Technical implementation: 20%
- UI/UX design: 15%
- Creativity: 10%
- Presentation and documentation: 5%
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs, 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
Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1,700. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026?
It is a national hackathon run by Gamnexis that challenges students to create a puzzle game. You begin with an idea and a presentation deck, and if you are shortlisted you go on to deliver a real, playable game. The whole thing is hosted on the official Unstop event page.
How much money can I win?
The prize money totals ₹1,700. The winner takes ₹1,000 in cash plus a Winner Certificate, the runner-up receives ₹500 with a Runner-up Certificate, and third place gets ₹200 with a Second Runner-up Certificate. Certificates for Best AI Game, Best Mobile Game and Best UI & UX are also given out, and every eligible participant who finishes the hackathon receives a digital participation certificate.
Who is eligible to take part?
Any student enrolled in a college in India can enter, no matter which subject they are studying — all academic disciplines are welcome. Beginners and experienced developers are treated the same, so you do not need a portfolio to apply.
Can I enter on my own, or do I need a team?
Both options work. You can compete individually or join a group of no more than five members.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
No. This is a student game-building contest rather than a government startup scheme, and the entry requirements rest on being a college student in India. No DPIIT or MSME paperwork is asked for.
Does the hackathon take equity in my game?
No. The rewards are competition prizes and certificates, so there is no investment and no equity or stake is taken in your project.
What is the deadline, and how do I apply?
Round 1 submissions are due by 15 August 2026. Registration is free, and you submit your idea presentation through the official Unstop event page for the event. Shortlisted teams are then notified to move ahead to Round 2.
What do I have to submit in Round 1?
A presentation that covers your game's title, the problem statement, the concept, gameplay mechanics, the target audience, core features, the game flow, UI/UX mock-ups, the technology stack you intend to use and your development roadmap. It is assessed on originality, feasibility, creativity and the quality of the presentation itself.
What is expected in Round 2?
Shortlisted teams must build and submit a functional game as an APK, web build or desktop build, together with a GitHub repository, a demo video of 2–5 minutes, a final presentation, README documentation and the game assets. The game needs to be stable and playable, and it must contain the features you proposed in Round 1.
How are the winners decided?
Final judging is weighted: innovation and originality count for 25%, gameplay experience 25%, technical implementation 20%, UI/UX design 15%, creativity 10% and presentation and documentation 5%.
Alternatives to Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs
Not sure Puzzle Masters Hackathon 2026 — ₹1,700 Prize Pool for Student Game Devs is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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