UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool
UX Imperium is a two-phase UX design hackathon run by D'Code NSUT, Delhi, where teams of 2–4 architect scalable design systems for a share of a ₹15,000 cash prize pool. Registration closes 13 August 2026.
- Funding amount
- ₹15,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (13 Aug 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
UX Imperium is a UX design hackathon organised by D'Code NSUT, the technical society of Netaji Subhas University of Technology (NSUT) in Delhi. It runs as a two-phase contest — an online opening round, followed by an invitation-only finale held on campus.
The point of the competition is design architecture rather than surface polish. Teams are asked to think through a digital solution for a set problem statement and show that their thinking scales, with judging weighted towards creativity, usability, how well the design system holds up, and how the team copes with constraints thrown at them.
Who it's for: students, designers in the early part of their careers, developers and product enthusiasts from anywhere in India, competing in teams of two to four. Solo registrations are accepted, and individuals can join or form a team at the registration stage.
The finale is physical — shortlisted teams have to be at the NSUT Main Campus in South West Delhi, where the challenges are live and the time pressure is real.
Highlights
- Two-phase UX design hackathon by D'Code NSUT, Delhi — an online round followed by an on-campus finale.
- Total cash prize pool of ₹15,000: ₹7,000 for the winner, ₹5,000 for the 1st runner up, ₹3,000 for the 2nd runner up, plus certificates.
- Open to students, early-career designers, developers and product enthusiasts across India; teams of 2–4, with solo entrants able to team up at registration.
- Round 1 entries are submitted via public view-only links such as Figma, and decks must be in PDF or Google Slides.
- Shortlisted teams compete in person at the NSUT Main Campus, South West Delhi, and must bring their own laptops and chargers; basic Wi-Fi is provided.
- Registration closes on 13 August 2026 through Unstop.
Who can apply
Entry to UX Imperium is open to participants from anywhere in India — students, early-career designers, developers and product enthusiasts all qualify.
- Team size: 2 to 4 members per team.
- Solo entrants: you may register on your own and then form or join a team during registration.
- Location: no restriction on which state or city you come from, but shortlisted teams must travel to the NSUT Main Campus in South West Delhi for the final round.
- What to carry: your own laptop and charger for the offline round. Basic Wi-Fi is available at the venue.
UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 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 UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool closed on 13 Aug 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Winning teams take home cash prizes. The total pool is ₹15,000, split across three places:
- Winner: ₹7,000
- 1st Runner Up: ₹5,000
- 2nd Runner Up: ₹3,000
Certificates go to all winners alongside the cash.
This is a competition with prize money rather than an investment, so no equity and no stake in a team's work is taken in return.
Teams that reach the finale also get the experience of solving live UX problems under real time constraints at NSUT's Delhi campus.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
Round 1 — Online
Teams pick a problem statement and architect a digital solution for it. Work is submitted through public links with view-only access — a Figma file shared that way, for instance — so the judges can open it. Any presentation deck has to be in PDF or Google Slides format. Entries are then evaluated to decide who moves ahead.
Round 2 — On-campus finale
Shortlisted teams are called to the NSUT Main Campus in South West Delhi in person. There they face advanced UX challenges in real time, along with unexpected design constraints and severe time pressure.
What judges look at
Creativity, usability, the scalability of the design system, and how well a team performs once constraints are imposed.
AI usage rule
AI tools are allowed only for small supporting assets such as icons or minor illustrations. Producing full layouts, complete screens or written copy with AI is not permitted and can lead to disqualification.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 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
UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹15,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
How much prize money does UX Imperium offer?
The total cash pool is ₹15,000, divided among three winning teams. The winner receives ₹7,000, the 1st runner up gets ₹5,000 and the 2nd runner up takes ₹3,000. All winners also receive certificates.
Who is eligible to take part in UX Imperium?
The hackathon is open to students and to people early in their careers — designers, developers and product enthusiasts — from anywhere in India. You do not have to be from NSUT or based in Delhi to enter, though shortlisted teams do need to travel to the NSUT Main Campus in South West Delhi for the final round.
What is the team size, and can I participate alone?
Teams are made up of 2 to 4 members. Solo participants are also allowed: you can register as an individual and form or join a team during registration.
What is the registration deadline?
Registration closes on 13 August 2026. Entries received after that date will not be accepted.
Does UX Imperium take equity in my work?
No. This is a design competition with cash prizes rather than an investment programme, so nothing is taken in exchange — no equity and no stake in whatever you build during the event.
How do I apply for UX Imperium?
Applications go through the Unstop registration link for UX Imperium. You can register as a full team, or sign up individually and team up during registration, as long as it is done before the closing date.
What do I need to submit in the first round?
Round 1 is online. You architect a digital solution for a selected problem statement and submit it through a public link with view-only access — a Figma file, for example — so that judges can review it. If you use a presentation deck, it must be in PDF or Google Slides format.
Is the second round online or in person?
It is in person. Shortlisted teams must be physically present at the NSUT Main Campus in South West Delhi for round 2, where they take on advanced, real-time UX challenges. Participants need to bring their own laptop and charger, and basic Wi-Fi is provided at the venue.
Can I use AI tools during the hackathon?
Only for basic assets such as icons and minor illustrations. Using AI to generate whole screens, complete layouts or written content is strictly disallowed and will result in disqualification.
How are entries judged?
Judging is based on four things: creativity, usability, the scalability of the design system, and how well the team handles the constraints it is given.
Is DPIIT recognition required for UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Alternatives to UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 Prize Pool
Not sure UX Imperium — NSUT Delhi UX Hackathon, ₹15,000 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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