Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 Prize Pool
A 24-hour hackathon by YCCE Nagpur for college students, with problem statements in AI, ML, Blockchain and IoT and prizes worth up to ₹40,000.
- Funding amount
- ₹40,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (26 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Smackathon is the flagship hackathon of the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering (YCCE), Nagpur. The 2k26 edition is the fifth one, and it runs under UPSURGE, the institute's annual technical fest. The format is deliberately unforgiving: a single 24-hour window in which a student team has to turn an idea into a prototype that actually works.
Problem statements are drawn from the technology areas in highest demand right now — artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, the internet of things, full-stack development and similar domains. Every team picks one statement during the opening screening round, so the build phase starts from a defined brief rather than a blank page.
The route in is intentionally cheap. Teams register free on Unstop, and the online screening costs nothing to enter. Those that clear the screening confirm their berth with a ₹599 per-team fee. Teams that cannot travel to Nagpur may ask to compete remotely; approval is subject to the reason given and only a limited number of remote slots exist. The college can arrange accommodation for an additional charge.
For a student, the payoff is concrete: a participation certificate for everyone, a total prize pool of up to ₹40,000, and a jury-faced finale where the strongest builds get presented and scored.
Highlights
- Fifth edition of YCCE Nagpur's 24-hour hackathon, held under the college's UPSURGE technical fest
- Prize pool of up to ₹40,000 — ₹20,000, ₹10,000 and ₹5,000 in cash for the top three teams, plus ₹5,000 in goodies
- Round 0 entry is free; register on Unstop by 26 July 2026
- Shortlisted teams pay ₹599 per team to confirm a place; accommodation available at extra cost
- Open to college students in teams of three to five; solo registrants can join a team at registration
- Remote participation possible for shortlisted teams on request, with limited slots
Who can apply
Smackathon 2k26 is a student-only competition. Anyone currently enrolled in a college — from any institution — may take part, and no particular degree, branch or past hackathon record is listed as a condition.
- Team size: each team must have three to five members.
- Solo entrants: an individual can register alone and then join or form a team during the registration process.
- Skill fit: teams comfortable with AI, machine learning, blockchain, IoT or full-stack development will find the closest match among the problem statements, though these domains are not a filter on who may apply.
- Remote mode: shortlisted teams that cannot reach the Nagpur campus can request online participation, subject to approval and limited slots.
There is no requirement to be an incorporated company, and no registration or recognition of any kind is needed beyond being a college student and meeting the team-size rule.
Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 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 Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 Prize Pool closed on 26 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Smackathon 2k26 is a prize competition, not a grant, loan or equity deal — nothing is taken in equity and nothing has to be paid back. The rewards on offer are:
- Winner: ₹20,000 in cash, plus goodies.
- First runner-up: ₹10,000 in cash.
- Second runner-up: ₹5,000 in cash.
- Top three teams: goodies worth ₹5,000.
- Every participant: a participation certificate.
Together, the cash and goodies come to a prize pool of up to ₹40,000.
Two costs are worth budgeting for. Entering Round 0 is free of charge, but a shortlisted team pays ₹599 per team to confirm its participation in the build round, and accommodation at the venue can be arranged at an extra cost.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Selection happens across three rounds.
Round 0 — online screening. Each team submits a presentation deck explaining the solution it proposes for its chosen problem statement. This round carries no fee, and it is what decides which teams advance.
Round 1 — prototype development. Shortlisted teams get 24 hours to produce a working prototype. The default location is the YCCE campus in Nagpur; teams granted remote participation build from wherever they are.
Grand Finale. Finalists continue refining their prototype and then present it to a jury.
Entries are judged on innovation, technical implementation, scalability, UI/UX, business viability and the quality of the presentation itself.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 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
Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹40,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Smackathon 2k26?
It is the fifth edition of a 24-hour hackathon organised by the Department of Computer Science & Engineering at Yeshwantrao Chavan College of Engineering (YCCE), Nagpur. It runs as part of UPSURGE, the college's annual technical fest, and it challenges student teams to build a working prototype for a chosen problem statement inside a single day.
How much money can a team win at Smackathon 2k26?
The prize pool reaches up to ₹40,000. The winning team takes home ₹20,000 in cash along with goodies, the first runner-up receives ₹10,000 in cash, and the second runner-up receives ₹5,000 in cash. Goodies worth ₹5,000 are also set aside for the top three teams, and every participant gets a participation certificate.
What is the application deadline, and how do I apply?
Registration closes on 26 July 2026. You sign up through the official Smackathon 2k26 listing on Unstop, and entering Round 0 costs nothing. If your team is shortlisted, you then pay the confirmation fee to secure your place in the 24-hour build round.
Who is eligible to participate?
Any college student can take part. Teams must consist of three to five members, and there is no bar on which institution or course you come from. If you register on your own, you are allowed to join or form a team during registration, so entering without a full squad is not a problem.
Does it cost anything to participate?
Round 0, the online screening, is free to enter. Teams that make the shortlist pay ₹599 per team to confirm their participation, and accommodation at the venue can be arranged for an additional charge.
Can I compete online instead of travelling to Nagpur?
Yes, but only if you request it. Shortlisted teams that have valid reasons for not reaching the campus may be allowed to take part remotely. Remote slots are limited, so it is worth raising the request as early as possible.
What kind of problems will teams work on?
The problem statements cover trending technology domains such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, blockchain, IoT and full-stack development. Each team selects one problem statement during Round 0 and builds its solution around that brief.
What do the judges look for?
Six things carry weight: innovation, technical implementation, scalability, UI/UX, business viability and the quality of the presentation. Teams present their refined prototype to a jury at the Grand Finale.
Do I need DPIIT recognition or MSME registration?
No. The eligibility conditions for this competition are simply student status and a team of three to five members. Company incorporation, DPIIT recognition and MSME registration play no part in entering Smackathon 2k26.
Is the prize money given in exchange for equity?
No. Smackathon 2k26 is a competition rather than an investment programme. The rewards are cash prizes and goodies, so no equity is taken and nothing has to be repaid.
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