The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge
An online cyber investigation hackathon from IIT Kanpur-incubated FCRF, where participants work through real malware cases for cash prizes and certificates.
- Funding amount
- Varies by program
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (5 Jul 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
The FCRF Hackathon 2026 puts participants inside genuine cyber investigations. Organised by FCRF, an initiative incubated at IIT Kanpur, the contest hands out real-world malware scenarios and asks entrants to work through them using digital forensics and reverse engineering techniques.
Everything happens online, so people across India can take part without travelling. The window opens on July 5, 2026 and closes on August 7, 2026. Registration shuts on July 5, the same day the challenge begins.
It is built for those who enjoy the detective side of security — students, researchers, working professionals and hobbyists with an interest in malware analysis and forensics. Solo entries are welcome.
Registration happens through the official Internshala competition page.
Highlights
- Online cyber investigation hackathon run by FCRF, an IIT Kanpur-incubated initiative
- Runs July 5 – August 7, 2026, with registration closing on July 5, 2026
- Open to Indian students, researchers, professionals and enthusiasts; solo entries allowed
- Participants work through real-world malware cases using digital forensics and reverse engineering
- Judged on accuracy, speed and depth of analysis
- Cash prizes and certificates, plus FutureCrime Summit 2026 delegate passes, goodies and networking for the top 5
Who can apply
The hackathon accepts Indian participants. Entrants can be cybersecurity enthusiasts, students, researchers or working professionals, provided they are drawn to digital forensics and malware analysis.
- Solo entries allowed — there is no bar on entering alone, and no team size restrictions are specified.
- Open to a wide experience range — the contest is skills-based, so academic and professional backgrounds both work.
- Location — the event is conducted online, letting participants join from anywhere in India.
The programme details do not list any company incorporation, funding stage, sector or state requirement. This is a competition rather than a funding scheme, so eligibility rests on the individual rather than on a registered entity.
The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge 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 FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge closed on 5 Jul 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
The FCRF Hackathon is a competition, not a grant. There is no investment, no equity stake taken and nothing to repay — rewards are simply awarded for performance.
Cash prizes go to the winners, with the exact amounts varying rather than being fixed in advance. Winners also receive certificates of achievement.
The top 5 performers additionally get:
- A Certificate of Excellence
- Complimentary delegate passes to the physical FutureCrime Summit 2026, held in New Delhi
- Exclusive hackathon goodies
- Networking access to senior law enforcement officers and DFIR experts
Anyone eligible who completes the challenge is issued an official Certificate of Participation, so taking part itself carries a credential.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Entries are judged on three criteria: accuracy, speed and the depth of analysis brought to each malware scenario.
The competition runs from July 5, 2026 to August 7, 2026. Registration has to be completed by July 5, 2026, the first day of the challenge.
Beyond the challenge itself, no additional rounds or interviews are described — evaluation rests on how well participants handle the investigation tasks within the competition window.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge, 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.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is The FCRF Hackathon?
It is a cyber investigation competition organised by FCRF, an initiative incubated at IIT Kanpur. Instead of building a product, participants tackle real-world malware scenarios and apply forensic analysis and reverse engineering skills to solve them. It is run entirely online.
What are the hackathon dates and the registration deadline?
The competition runs from July 5, 2026 to August 7, 2026. Registration closes on July 5, 2026, which is also the day the challenge begins, so you need to sign up before the contest kicks off.
Who is eligible to take part?
The hackathon is open to Indian participants. It is aimed at cybersecurity enthusiasts, students, researchers and professionals who have an interest in digital forensics and malware analysis. There is no requirement linked to a company, funding stage or sector.
Can I enter alone, or do I need a team?
Solo participation is allowed. The programme details do not specify any team size restrictions, so entering as an individual is fine.
What kind of problems will I have to solve?
Participants are given real-world malware scenarios. Solving them calls for forensic analysis and reverse engineering, which is why the judging focuses on accuracy, speed and the depth of your analysis.
How much can I win, and what else do winners get?
Winners receive cash prizes, with the amounts varying rather than being a fixed published figure. They also get certificates of achievement. The top 5 performers additionally receive a Certificate of Excellence, complimentary delegate passes to the physical FutureCrime Summit 2026 in New Delhi, exclusive hackathon goodies, and networking access to senior law enforcement officers and DFIR experts.
Does the hackathon take equity or require me to repay anything?
No. This is a competition rather than a grant or investment. No equity is taken and there is nothing to repay — rewards are prizes awarded for performance.
Do participants who do not win get anything?
Yes. Every eligible participant who completes the challenge receives an official Certificate of Participation, so finishing the contest gives you a credential even without a prize.
How will my submission be judged?
Judging is based on accuracy, speed and depth of analysis. There is no mention of further selection rounds or interviews beyond the challenge itself.
Is the hackathon online or offline, and how do I apply?
The competition is conducted online, so participants from across India can take part remotely — while the FutureCrime Summit 2026 delegate passes awarded to the top 5 relate to a physical event in New Delhi. To apply, register through the official Internshala competition page at https://internshala.com/competitions/the-fcrf-hackathon/.
Is DPIIT recognition required for The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge
Not sure The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge is the right fit, or already applied? These are other grants open to Indian startups that founders shortlist alongside it.
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