📌 About the Event

This is a one-of-a-kind marathon event by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). It celebrates 111 years of ZSI by challenging participants to bridge the gap between Traditional Knowledge (TK) and Modern Technology. It is not just a coding event; it’s an interdisciplinary search for sustainable conservation policies and tools.

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📅 Critical Timeline

• Registration Closes: May 20, 2026 (Only 6 days left!)
• Shortlist Announcement: May 23, 2026
• Regional Rounds: May 25 – June 5, 2026 (At 16 Regional Centres)
• Grand Finale (Kolkata): June 29, 2026
• Status: ACTIVE.

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💡 Hackathon Structure: The 111-Hour Sprint

The competition follows a 3-level knockout format:

1. Level 1 (Regional): Held at 16 ZSI centers across India. Each center focuses on a theme specific to its geography/ecosystem.
2. Level 2 (National Semifinals): Refinement and scaling of the best regional ideas.
3. Level 3 (Grand Finale): Final pitch at ZSI Headquarters in Kolkata before an interdisciplinary jury.

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🌍 The 16 Unique Themes

Participants must choose one theme. Each represents a specific Indian ecosystem and its indigenous wisdom. Some examples include:

• Digital Transformation of TK: Leveraging AI/Data Science to document indigenous biodiversity knowledge.
• Island Ecosystems: TK in Andaman & Nicobar or Lakshadweep.
• Himalayan Wisdom: Focus on Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Coastal Resilience: Traditional practices of coastal populations in India.
• Arid & Semi-Arid: Knowledge systems from Rajasthan and Gujarat.

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👥 Eligibility & Team Rules

• Team Size: Maximum 3 Members.
• Diversity Requirement: Highly encourages teams to include indigenous knowledge holders or tribal members.
• Language: Presentations can be in any Indian language (but one member should know English for coordination).
• Open To: Students (School to PhD), Researchers, Startups, and Community Practitioners. No Age Bar.

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💰 Prize Pool

• 1st Prize: ₹1,00,000
• 2nd Prize: ₹75,000
• 3rd Prize: ₹50,000