📌About the Event

The National Hackathon 2026 by Symbiosis Institute of Digital and Telecom Management (SIDTM), Pune, is an AI-focused student hackathon themed “AI with Initiative: AI Makes the First Move.” The competition challenges students to build solutions where AI proactively identifies problems, makes decisions and initiates actions instead of simply responding to user prompts. Teams first solve an online case study and submit a presentation with a proposed design/prototype. The top 10 teams advance to an offline grand finale at SIDTM’s Lavale Hilltop Campus in Pune.

---

ℹ️ Event Details

• Organizer: Symbiosis Institute of Digital and Telecom Management (SIDTM), Pune
• Theme: AI with Initiative: AI Makes the First Move
• Focus Area: Artificial Intelligence, agentic AI, autonomous AI and real-world AI problem-solving.
• Mode: Hybrid
• Round 1: Online case study submission
• Round 2: Offline grand finale at SIDTM, Pune.
• Team Size: Exactly 3 members
• Venue for Finale: SIDTM, Lavale Hilltop Campus, Pune, Maharashtra.
• Learning Partner: Trainocate Networks India Pvt. Ltd.
• Teams will work on real-world AI case studies and develop a solution involving a design/prototype and presentation.

---

📅 Important Dates

• Registration Deadline: 15 August 2026
• Round 1 Submission Deadline: 17 August 2026
• Top 10 Teams Announcement: By 20 August 2026
• Finalists Arrive at SIDTM Campus: 3–4 September 2026
• On-Site Solution Building: 4 September, 10:00 AM – 5 September, 1:00 PM
• Final Presentation & Judging: 5 September 2026, 1:30 PM–3:00 PM
• Award Ceremony: 5 September 2026

---

🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• Engineering students
• Management students
• Arts, Commerce, Science and students from other disciplines.
• Team Size: Exactly 3 students per team.
• All three members must belong to the same college/institute.

---

🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• Total Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000, sponsored by learning partner Trainocate Networks India Pvt. Ltd.
• The official page does not currently specify the individual cash split between winners.
• Winners & Runners-up: Trophy + Certificate of Merit.
• Top 10 Teams: Finalist certificates.
• All registered participants: E-certificate of participation.
• Participants receive complimentary access to Trainocate learning modules, certification courses and corporate training before the final solution-building round.
• Finalist teams receive hostel accommodation on 3 and 4 September.
• Food and refreshments are provided during 3–5 September.