The FCRF Hackathon 2026 — Online Cyber Investigation Challenge — Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

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.

Solo participation is allowed. The programme details do not specify any team size restrictions, so entering as an individual is fine.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Judging is based on accuracy, speed and depth of analysis. There is no mention of further selection rounds or interviews beyond the challenge itself.

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/.

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.