The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon
A high-stakes online hackathon challenging Indian undergraduate and postgraduate students to build scalable Agentic AI and Advanced RAG frameworks, with a ₹45,000 cash prize.
- Funding amount
- ₹45,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Provider
- Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (Academic)
- Application deadline
- Closed (13 Jun 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The Arch: RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is an online competition hosted on Unstop by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. It challenges Indian undergraduate and postgraduate students to build scalable, production-ready Agentic AI and Advanced RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) frameworks. The hackathon is a full-stack technical and business challenge where participants must architect systems that demonstrate absolute contextual fidelity under rigorous stress tests and deliver clear real-world utility, moving beyond basic wrappers.
Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students across India, regardless of college, university, or academic background (including B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, Statistics, etc.). While prior production-level AI experience is not strictly required, a strong technical grounding is highly recommended.
Teams must consist of 1 to 3 members. Inter-college and inter-specialization teams are highly encouraged. Each participant can register with only one team; duplicate registrations will lead to disqualification. All team members must have an active Unstop account.
Participants choose one domain track: Healthcare, Finance, FMCG, Entertainment, Manufacturing, or Legal Services. The evaluation has two rounds: Round 1 requires a comprehensive case study (PPT, max 20 slides), production-ready code (GitHub repository), and a live working demo link. Shortlisted teams proceed to Round 2, a grand finale presentation (12 minutes) followed by an 8-minute Q&A with an expert panel.
The winning team receives a cash prize of ₹45,000. Registration closes on June 13, 2026. Apply via the official Unstop competition page.
Highlights
- ₹45,000 cash prize for the winning team
- Open to all Indian undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Build scalable Agentic AI & Advanced RAG systems
- Hosted online by IIT Kharagpur on Unstop
- Choose from 6 domain tracks: Healthcare, Finance, FMCG, Entertainment, Manufacturing, Legal Services
Who can apply
The hackathon is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students across India, regardless of their college, university, or academic background (including B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, Statistics, etc.). Teams must consist of 1 to 3 members. Inter-college teams and inter-specialization teams are highly encouraged. Each participant can register with only one team; duplicate registrations will lead to disqualification. All team members must have an active Unstop account. No prior production-level AI experience is strictly required, but a strong technical grounding is highly recommended.
The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon 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 The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon closed on 13 Jun 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
- A cash prize of ₹45,000 for the winning team.
About the provider
The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is offered by Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, an academic institution. It is delivered directly by Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur as a competition. You can verify current details and timelines on the provider's official website before applying.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the official portal. Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The competition has a two-round evaluation process:
- Round 1: Architecture & Implementation Submission – Teams submit a comprehensive case study in PPT format (maximum 20 slides), production-ready code via a GitHub repository, and a live working demo link of their solution.
- Round 2: Grand Finale Presentation – Shortlisted teams present their solutions live for 12 minutes, followed by an 8-minute Q&A session with an expert panel of judges.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon, 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
The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹45,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cash prize for the winning team?
The winning team receives a cash prize of ₹45,000.
What is the application deadline?
The registration deadline is June 13, 2026.
Who is eligible to participate?
All undergraduate and postgraduate students across India are eligible, regardless of college, university, or academic background (including B.Tech, M.Tech, MBA, Statistics, etc.).
How many members can a team have?
Teams must consist of 1 to 3 members. Inter-college and inter-specialization teams are encouraged.
What domain tracks can we choose from?
Participants must select one domain track: Healthcare, Finance, FMCG, Entertainment, Manufacturing, or Legal Services.
What is the selection process?
The competition has two rounds. Round 1 requires a case study (PPT), production-ready code (GitHub), and a live demo link. Shortlisted teams proceed to Round 2, a live presentation (12 minutes) followed by Q&A (8 minutes).
Is there any registration fee?
The provided information does not mention any registration fee. Check the official Unstop page for details.
How do I apply?
Register your team through the official Unstop competition page. All team members must have an active Unstop account.
Can I participate alone?
Yes, teams can have 1 member. But teams of up to 3 are allowed.
Is prior AI experience required?
No, prior production-level AI experience is not strictly required, but a strong technical grounding is highly recommended.
How much funding does The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon provide?
The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon provides ₹45,000 (up to) as competition. Always confirm the exact amount and any conditions on the official site, as figures can change between cohorts.
Does The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon take equity?
No. The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who offers The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon?
The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is offered by Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, an academic institution. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
Alternatives to The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon
Not sure The Arch : RAG and Agentic AI Hackathon is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
Questions from founders
Ask anything about eligibility, documents or the process — answered by the community.
No questions yet — be the first to ask.