Smackathon 2k26 — 24-Hour YCCE Nagpur Hackathon, ₹40,000 Prize Pool — Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.