Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L Prize Pool
A 48-hour national virtual hackathon by IEEE SMC GNITC with a ₹1,24,200 prize pool, open to students and innovators across India.
- Funding amount
- ₹1.2L (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 19 Nov 2026
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Tech Horizon 2.0 is a national-level hackathon that IEEE SMC GNITC runs completely online. It is a contest rather than a grant or an incubation programme: teams get a fixed 48-hour window to design, build and submit a technology solution, and the strongest entries share a prize pool.
The compressed timeline is the heart of the format. There is no long runway — teams move from idea to working build to final submission inside two days, which suits people who scope tightly and ship quickly. The full briefing comes at sign-up: the detailed schedule and the judging criteria are handed to participants once they register.
Entry is open to students and early-stage innovators who are based in India. Because the event is virtual, your city or state inside the country is not a barrier to taking part. Winning teams share a prize pool of ₹1,24,200, listed at source as $1,350 and displayed as up to ₹1.2L.
Registration happens through the official competition page on Internshala, and the deadline is 19 November 2026.
Highlights
- 48-hour national-level virtual hackathon hosted by IEEE SMC GNITC
- Prize pool of ₹1,24,200 (listed as $1,350, shown as up to ₹1.2L) for winning teams
- Open to students and early-stage innovators based in India
- Fully virtual — no travel, teams can compete from anywhere in the country
- Judging criteria and the detailed schedule are shared after registration
- Register on the official Internshala competition page by 19 November 2026
Who can apply
Tech Horizon 2.0 is open to participants based in India, including students and early-stage innovators. The hackathon is fully virtual, so teams can join from anywhere in the country without travelling to a venue.
- Who it's for: students and early-stage innovators
- Geography: India-based participants
- Format impact: being online means your location within India does not affect eligibility
- Not specified in the listing: team size, age limits, any requirement to be attached to a college, and any DPIIT or MSME registration condition
The published bar is simply that you are based in India — no registration with a government body is mentioned as a requirement.
Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L 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
Applications for Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L Prize Pool are open and the current deadline is 19 Nov 2026. Deadlines can change — always reconfirm on the official source before submitting.
What the funding covers
Tech Horizon 2.0 is a competition, so the reward for the best builds is a share of a ₹1,24,200 prize pool. The same pool is listed at source as $1,350 and shown as up to ₹1.2L, and it is awarded to the winning teams.
- Cash prizes for winners, drawn from the ₹1,24,200 pool
- 48 hours of build time in a fully virtual setting
- The judging criteria and detailed schedule are provided once you register
There is no fee, equity or repayment element described in the programme details — it is prize money for a hackathon, not an investment or a loan.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Tech Horizon 2.0 runs as a single 48-hour virtual sprint rather than a multi-round selection funnel.
- Register: sign up through the official competition page on Internshala before the 19 November 2026 deadline.
- Get the brief: the detailed schedule and the judging criteria are provided upon registration.
- Ideate and build: teams develop their solution during the 48-hour window.
- Submit: projects are submitted within the given timeframe.
- Judging and prizes: entries are assessed against the published criteria and the prize pool is awarded to the winning teams.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L 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
Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹1.2L. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is Tech Horizon 2.0?
It is a national-level hackathon that IEEE SMC GNITC hosts online. The format is a single high-intensity 48-hour sprint in which participants build technology solutions against the clock, with the best entries recognised through a prize pool.
How much prize money is on offer?
The total prize pool is ₹1,24,200. The listing states the same amount as $1,350 and shows it as up to ₹1.2L. The pool is awarded to the winning teams.
What is the application deadline?
Registration closes on 19 November 2026. You need to sign up on the official competition page before that date to take part.
Who is eligible to participate?
The hackathon is open to participants based in India, including students and early-stage innovators. Since it is virtual, you can take part from anywhere in the country.
Is the hackathon online or at a physical venue?
It is completely virtual. Teams participate remotely, which means there is no travel requirement and your location within India does not limit your participation.
How long does the hackathon run?
The sprint lasts 48 hours. Within that window, teams ideate, build and submit their projects; the detailed schedule is provided on registration.
Do I need DPIIT or MSME registration to apply?
No. The programme details do not mention DPIIT recognition, MSME registration, or any other government registration as a condition of entry. The stated eligibility is simply that participants are based in India.
Does the programme take equity in my startup?
No. Tech Horizon 2.0 is a competition with cash prizes for the winners, and no equity, stake or repayment obligation is described in the programme details.
Is there a team size limit?
The listing does not specify a team size, nor does it spell out any further eligibility conditions beyond being based in India. Those details are shared through the registration process.
How do I apply for Tech Horizon 2.0?
Register through the official competition page on Internshala at https://internshala.com/competitions/tech-horizon-2-0/ before the 19 November 2026 deadline. After registering, you receive the detailed schedule and the judging criteria.
What happens after I register?
Once you sign up, the detailed schedule and the judging criteria are provided to you. You then build your project during the 48-hour sprint and submit it within the given timeframe for judging.
Alternatives to Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L Prize Pool
Not sure Tech Horizon 2.0 — 48-Hour Virtual Hackathon, ₹1.2L Prize Pool is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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