HackElite 26’ is a 24-hour national-level hackathon organized by Developer Network Space (DNS), SRM IST Vadapalani.
Building on the success of HackElite 25’, this edition is bigger, more competitive, and more industry-focused, bringing together top student innovators from across India.

Participants will collaborate, ideate, and build impactful solutions across Software, Hardware, AI/ML, and Open Innovation, guided by experienced mentors and evaluated by industry professionals.

Eligibility

  • Open to undergraduate students from any recognized college or university in India

  • Inter-college teams are allowed

  • Inter-specialization / interdisciplinary teams are allowed

  • Participants must carry a valid college ID during the event

  • All team members must register individually on Unstop

Team Composition

  • Team size: 4 – 6 members

  • Teams must be formed before registration

  • No change of team members is allowed after final confirmation

Problem Statements & Tracks

  • 14 curated problem statements across multiple domains

  • 1 Open Innovation Track (teams may propose their own problem statement)

  • Problem statements will be released prior to Round 1

  • Each team must select one problem statement to work on

Requirements

Hackathon Format & Rounds Round 1: Idea Screening

Mode: Online | Format: PPT Round
Duration: 22 January 2026 – 28 January 2026 11:59PM
Registration Fee: Free

  • Teams must submit a PPT-based idea proposal

  • PPT must strictly follow the official template provided by the organizers

  • Submission must be done only through the official Google Form shared in the HackElite 26’ WhatsApp group

Evaluation based on:

  • Relevance to the problem statement

  • Innovation & feasibility

  • Clarity of solution approach

  • Monetization & impact potential

Results will be released on or before 27 January 2026
Shortlisted teams qualify for Round 2

Round 2: Idea + MVP Evaluation

Mode: Online | Format: PPT + MVP
Duration: 30 January 2026 – 4 February 2026 11:59Pm
Registration Fee: ₹300 per team

  • Teams must submit the following only through the official Google Form shared in the WhatsApp group:

    • Updated PPT (as per official template)

    • Deployed MVP / prototype link

Evaluation focuses on:

  • Technical feasibility

  • Prototype validation

  • Scalability & execution plan

Results will be released on or before 6 February 2026
Shortlisted teams advance to the Final Round

Round 3: Final Hackathon

Mode: Offline | Onsite
Registration Fee: ₹500 per team

  • 24-hour onsite hackathon at SRM IST Vadapalani

  • Continuous build phase with:

    • Mentor guidance

    • Industry interaction

  • Teams must develop a working prototype / MVP

  • Final project presentation & demo before industry judges and faculty

Evaluation Criteria

  • Innovation & originality

  • Technical implementation

  • Feasibility & scalability

  • Problem understanding

  • Presentation & demo quality

  • Real-world applicability & impact

Event Details

  • Duration: 24 Hours

  • Mode: Offline (Final Round)

  • Venue: SRM IST Vadapalani Campus

  • Dates: 10 – 11 February 2026

Prizes & Perks

  • Prize Pool: ₹XX,XXX

  • Certificates for all participants

  • Industry exposure & expert mentorship

  • Opportunity to build portfolio-ready projects

  •  

Hackathon Sponsors

Prizes

₹ 1 in prizes
Winner Recognition
₹ 1 in cash
1 winner

Winners will receive trophies, certificates, and sponsor-backed rewards.
Prize details will be announced during the event.

Devpost Achievements

Submitting to this hackathon could earn you:

Judges

Mr, J Joshua Haniel

Mr, J Joshua Haniel
CEO, StackVault

Judging Criteria

  • Criterias
    Innovation & originality Technical implementation Feasibility & scalability Problem understanding Presentation & demo quality Real-world applicability & impact

Questions? Email the hackathon manager

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