TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool
A 24-hour national offline hackathon in Lucknow by TechNeekX, open to Indian students, with a ₹10,000 prize pool spread across eight technology tracks.
- Funding amount
- ₹10,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (1 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
TNX Codathon 2K26 is a national-level hackathon run by TechNeekX that ends in a full 24-hour offline build in Lucknow. Reaching that final room takes two earlier filters, so the competition opens online and then narrows down to the teams that travel to the host city.
The event is aimed squarely at Indian students and deliberately mixes disciplines — developers, designers, AI enthusiasts and startup-minded builders all compete side by side. Teams pick a track, take on a real-world problem and have to show a working solution rather than just an idea.
Eight tracks are available, spanning Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Healthcare Technology, FinTech & Smart Automation, Sustainability & Green Innovation, Smart City Solutions, Cybersecurity, Web & Mobile Applications and Open Innovation. Because the tracks are this broad, an inter-college or cross-specialisation team can combine very different skill sets under one banner.
Registration closes on August 1, 2026, and entries are submitted through the official Unstop listing for the event.
Highlights
- 24-hour offline finals held in Lucknow, organised by TechNeekX
- Total cash prize pool of ₹10,000 across winners, runners-up and special categories
- Registration deadline: August 1, 2026
- Open to undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma students from recognised Indian institutions
- Team entries only — up to five members, no solo participation
- Eight tracks including AI & ML, Healthcare Technology, FinTech, Cybersecurity and Open Innovation
Who can apply
TNX Codathon 2K26 is open to Indian students studying at recognised institutions. Undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma students are all eligible, and there is no restriction to a single academic discipline — applicants from any field of study can enter.
Teams may be formed across colleges and across specialisations, so an engineering student, a design student and a management student are free to compete together.
You cannot enter alone. Solo participation is not permitted and every entry must be a team of up to five members.
Each participant must carry a valid student ID during the event, so keep your institutional identity card handy for the offline final round in Lucknow.
TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 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
The most recent application window for TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool closed on 1 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
TNX Codathon 2K26 carries a total cash prize pool of ₹10,000, split between the winners, the runners-up and special categories rather than being handed to one champion team alone.
Beyond the cash, prize winners also receive goodies, trophies and medals.
Every participant comes away with a certificate of participation. The organisers also open up internship opportunities and entry into the TechNeekX community to those who take part, which is often the more lasting outcome for students building a portfolio.
Because this is a competition rather than an investment programme, the rewards are structured as prize money and recognition rather than as a funded round.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The competition runs across three rounds before a winner is declared.
- Round 1 — Shortlisting & PPT Round: Teams present their idea in a presentation format, and the strongest entries are shortlisted to move ahead.
- Round 2 — Online Hackathon: Shortlisted teams build remotely in an online hackathon round.
- Final Round — 24-Hour Offline Hackathon in Lucknow: The last stage is a full overnight build held in person at the host city.
The offline final is structured rather than open-ended. It begins with an opening ceremony, followed by mentorship sessions, mid-evaluation checkpoints and technical reviews during the build itself.
At the end, teams go through final submission, live demonstrations and jury evaluation, before the event wraps up with a closing ceremony.
Projects are assessed on innovation, technical implementation, problem-solution fit, scalability, user experience, business or social impact, and presentation quality.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 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
TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹10,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is TNX Codathon 2K26?
It is a national-level hackathon organised by TechNeekX. Teams move through a shortlisting and PPT round, then an online hackathon, and finally a 24-hour offline hackathon held in Lucknow. It is aimed at Indian students who want to solve real-world problems through technology and innovation.
How much prize money is on offer?
The event has a total cash prize pool of ₹10,000. That amount is distributed across the winners, the runners-up and special categories rather than going to a single team. Winners also receive goodies, trophies and medals.
Who is eligible to participate?
Undergraduate, postgraduate and diploma students studying at recognised institutions in India. All academic disciplines are welcome, so you do not need to be from a computer science or engineering background to take part.
Can I participate alone, or do I need a team?
You need a team. Solo participation is not permitted, and teams can have up to five members. Inter-college and cross-specialisation teams are allowed, so you are free to build a team from different institutions and different streams.
What is the registration deadline and where do I apply?
Registration closes on August 1, 2026. Applications are made through the official Unstop page for TNX Codathon.
Which tracks can my team choose from?
There are eight tracks: Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Healthcare Technology, FinTech & Smart Automation, Sustainability & Green Innovation, Smart City Solutions, Cybersecurity, Web & Mobile Applications, and Open Innovation. Pick the one that fits your problem statement best.
What does the 24-hour offline final round look like?
The final round is held in Lucknow and runs for 24 hours straight. It opens with a ceremony, includes mentorship sessions, mid-evaluation checkpoints and technical reviews as you build, and finishes with final submission, live demonstrations before a jury, and a closing ceremony.
How are the projects judged?
The jury looks at innovation, technical implementation, problem-solution fit, scalability, user experience, business or social impact, and presentation quality. A working, well-demonstrated solution that clearly fits the problem will score better than an idea alone.
What do participants get besides prize money?
All participants receive a certificate of participation. The organisers also offer internship opportunities and access to the TechNeekX community, which can be valuable even if your team does not finish in a prize position.
Do I need to carry anything to the offline event?
Yes — every participant must carry a valid student ID during the event, so bring your institutional identity card with you to the final round in Lucknow.
Does TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool take equity?
No. TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
How do I apply for TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
Alternatives to TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool
Not sure TNX Codathon 2K26 — 24-Hour Hackathon in Lucknow, ₹10,000 Prize Pool 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.