Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students
A nationwide online hackathon from the CSI Student Chapter at VIT Chennai, offering ₹1.5 Lakhs in tech credits across three build tracks. Open to Indian students and early-career developers.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.5L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (27 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Tech Genesis '26 is a nationwide hackathon held entirely online, organised by the Computer Society of India (CSI) Student Chapter at VIT Chennai, with the Office of Student Welfare and CodeCrafters. Its aim is to pull together developers, designers and problem-solvers from across India and turn their ideas into working technology projects.
The event runs across two days, June 26 and June 27, 2026. Participants choose one of three broad tracks, build their solution with a team, and then defend it in front of a judging panel made up of experts. Because everything happens online, teams can take part from any city without travelling.
A prize pool worth ₹1.5 Lakhs is up for grabs, awarded in tech credits such as cloud credits, software licences or platform subscriptions rather than cash. Certificates and further learning opportunities are offered to all participants, not just the winners.
Registration is handled on the official Devfolio listing at https://tech-genesis.devfolio.co/. The listed deadline is June 27, 2026, which is also the final day of the hackathon, so signing up early is the safer route.
Highlights
- Nationwide online hackathon run by the CSI Student Chapter, VIT Chennai, with the Office of Student Welfare and CodeCrafters
- Prize pool worth ₹1.5 Lakhs, paid out in tech credits such as cloud credits, software licences and platform subscriptions
- Held online on June 26–27, 2026; the listed deadline is June 27, 2026
- Open to Indian university students and early-career developers
- Three tracks: AI & ML; Smart Cities, Sustainability & Social Impact; Cybersecurity, Cloud & Emerging Technologies or Open Innovation
- Teams of 2–4 members; solo entrants may be matched into a team
Who can apply
Tech Genesis '26 is open to Indian university students and early-career developers. There is no stated restriction on which college, course or city you come from, and the organisers do not list any DPIIT or MSME registration requirement.
- Teams: Squads of 2–4 members are encouraged. Solo applicants can register on their own and may be matched into a team with other participants.
- Stage: Early-stage and student builders — this is a hackathon, so an existing company or product is not needed.
- Geography: Participants must be based in India.
Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students 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 Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students closed on 27 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The reward at Tech Genesis '26 comes as a prize pool worth ₹1.5 Lakhs, delivered in tech credits rather than cash. Tech credits are typically redeemable against cloud computing credits, software licences or platform subscriptions, which lets winning teams offset the cost of tools they use to keep building.
Beyond the prize pool, every participant receives:
- A certificate for taking part.
- Access to additional learning opportunities arranged around the hackathon.
- Two days of hands-on building plus feedback from an expert judging panel.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
There is no multi-round application screening described for this hackathon — selection happens through the build-and-present format itself.
- Registration: Teams sign up on the official Devfolio page and indicate their preferred track.
- Team formation: Squads of 2–4 members compete. Solo registrants may be paired up with other participants to form a team.
- Build phase: Across the two online days of June 26–27, 2026, teams turn an idea into a working project.
- Presentation: Each team pitches and demonstrates its build to a panel of expert judges.
- Evaluation: Submissions are scored on innovation, technical complexity, impact and presentation.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students, 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
Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.5L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Tech Genesis '26?
It is a national-level hackathon held completely online by the Computer Society of India (CSI) Student Chapter at VIT Chennai, together with the Office of Student Welfare and CodeCrafters. Student and early-career developers form teams, select a theme and build a technology-driven project over two days before presenting it to a panel of expert judges.
How much is the prize pool and what do winners actually receive?
The prize pool is worth ₹1.5 Lakhs. It is paid in tech credits — for example cloud credits, software licences or platform subscriptions — rather than as cash. On top of that, every participant gets a certificate and access to additional learning opportunities, whether or not their team wins.
Who is eligible to take part in Tech Genesis '26?
The hackathon is open to Indian university students and early-career developers. You do not need an incorporated company, a finished product or any prior funding to enter, and the organisers do not list a DPIIT or MSME registration requirement.
Can I apply on my own, or do I need a full team?
Teams of 2–4 members are encouraged, but solo participants are welcome to register. If you sign up alone, you may be matched into a team with other applicants so you still take part on equal footing.
What themes or tracks can I build for?
There are three broad tracks to pick from: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning; Smart Cities, Sustainability & Social Impact; and Cybersecurity, Cloud & Emerging Technologies or Open Innovation. You choose the track that best fits your idea when you register.
When does the hackathon take place and how long is it?
It runs online over two days, June 26 and June 27, 2026. The registration deadline shown for the programme is June 27, 2026 — the same as the closing day — so applying well before that date is strongly advisable.
How do I register and where do I apply?
Applications are submitted through the official Devfolio listing at https://tech-genesis.devfolio.co/. Registration and the hackathon itself are both handled online, so you can participate from anywhere in India without travelling.
How are the projects judged?
An expert panel of judges reviews every submission. Projects are assessed on four things: innovation, technical complexity, impact and presentation.
Does Tech Genesis '26 take equity in my idea or company?
No. This is a competition rather than an investment programme, and the rewards are tech credits and certificates. No equity stake in your project or company is taken in return for participating.
What happens if my team does not win?
You still finish the event with a certificate and access to the additional learning opportunities offered to all participants, along with a completed project and feedback from the judging panel.
What is the application deadline for Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students?
The application deadline for Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students is Closed (27 Jun 2026). Deadlines can be revised, so reconfirm on the official source before applying.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
How do I apply for Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students
Not sure Tech Genesis '26 — ₹1.5L Tech Credits Hackathon for Students is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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