Citadel 1.0 – The Code of Karma
University of Engineering and Management, Kolkata
📌About the Event
Citadel 1.0, also known as The Code of Karma, is a national-level software and hardware hackathon hosted at the University of Engineering and Management (UEM), Kolkata. Inspired by the Mahabharata, the event combines ancient strategic thinking with modern technology and challenges participants to develop practical solutions to real-world problems. The competition includes an online preliminary selection round followed by an intensive 30-hour offline hackathon in Kolkata.
ℹ️ Event Details
- Event type: National-level software and hardware hackathon
- Theme: Mahabharata-inspired “Techno-Vedic” innovation challenge
- Mode of conduct: Hybrid
- Preliminary round: Online
- Grand finale: Offline
- Hackathon duration: 30 hours
- Finale dates: July 11–12, 2026
- Venue: University of Engineering and Management, University Area, Plot No. III-B/5, New Town, Action Area III, Kolkata, West Bengal
- Team size: One to four participants
- Participation format: Individual and team participation are both permitted because the minimum team size is one.
- Competition domains include:
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
- Cloud Computing
- Data Science
- Cybersecurity
- Web3 and Blockchain
- DevOps
- SaaS platforms
- Product innovation
- Open innovation
- Main activities: Participants will identify a real-world problem, build and deploy a working solution, and present their project through a final pitch.
📅 Important Dates
- Registration opening date: March 14, 2026
- Registration deadline: July 1, 2026
- Hackathon commencement: July 11, 2026, at 11:00 AM IST
- Hackathon conclusion: July 12, 2026, at 5:00 PM IST
- Offline finale duration: 30 hours
- Status as of June 15, 2026: Registrations are open.
🎯 Eligibility & Rules
- Who can participate:
- Students
- Developers
- Designers
- Engineers
- Data enthusiasts
- Aspiring innovators and technology builders
- Team size: Participants may compete individually or in teams of up to four members.
- Project categories: Both software-based solutions and hardware prototypes are accepted.
- Preliminary selection:
- Participants must first register and submit the required information through Devfolio.
- The preliminary round will be conducted online.
- Entries will be reviewed on the basis of participants’ skills, creativity and problem-solving approach.
- Only shortlisted teams will qualify for the 30-hour offline finale.
- Final hackathon requirements:
- Qualified participants must attend the finale at UEM Kolkata.
- Teams will work on their proposed solution during the hackathon.
- Participants are expected to develop and deploy their project.
- Teams must present their solution before the judges through a project demonstration and pitch.
- Technology rules:
- Participants may develop solutions across the announced technology domains.
- The organisers’ promotional material indicates that AI-assisted development and vibe-coding tools may be used.
- Participants must comply with the official Devfolio Code of Conduct.
🏆 Benefits for the Participants
- Total prize pool: USD 620
- Chakravarti Samrat – First Prize: USD 320
- Samrat – Second Prize: USD 200
- Maharaja – Third Prize: USD 100