📌About the Event

CYBER KUSHTI 2026 is a national-level Cybersecurity and Artificial Intelligence hackathon launched by the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) under MeitY. Unlike traditional hackathons or CTFs focused mainly on finding vulnerabilities, Cyber Kushti tests participants on their ability to analyse AI-generated security findings, identify genuine threats, reject false positives, prioritise risks and defend their cybersecurity decisions. It is being conducted in collaboration with the ISAC Foundation under the National Security Database (NSD), with CERT-In as the Knowledge Partner.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Mode: Hybrid
• Round 1 – Online
• Round 2 – Online
• Final Round – Offline in New Delhi
• Team Size: Exactly 3 members per team.
• Participants receive an identical Security Assessment Package containing AI-generated findings, static analysis results, dependency and secrets scans, architecture documentation, source code and application logs.
• The package intentionally contains genuine, false, duplicate and incomplete findings, requiring teams to independently assess what actually matters.
• Participants are allowed to use AI tools of their choice during the competition.
• The final round will be conducted at the Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, alongside NCCDFI 2026.

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📅 Important Dates

• Launch & Registration Start: 15 August 2026
• Registration Deadline: 10 September 2026
• Round 1 – Akhada: 15 September 2026 – Online
• Round 2 – Dangal: 24 September 2026 – Online
• Final Round – Kesari: 9 October 2026 – Offline, New Delhi
• NCCDFI 2026 Conference: 9–10 October 2026
• Round 1 Shortlisting: Top 50 teams advance to Round 2.
• Round 2 Shortlisting: Top 10 teams advance to the final.

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Open to students from any recognised educational institution and any academic branch.
• Independent researchers can also participate; a formal degree is not required.
• Each team must consist of exactly 3 members.
• Participation is free of cost.
• No paid security tools or licences are required to participate.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• Winner: Awarded the title “Cyber Kesari 2026” along with the traditional Gada.
• Runners-up: Recognised with the titles “Rustam” and “Pahalwan.”
• Round 1 Participants: Receive a Certificate of Participation and an individual scorecard.
• Teams progressing beyond Round 1: Receive National Security Database (NSD) recognition credits.
• A special award will recognise the most instructive incorrect submission where the team demonstrates well-documented reasoning with educational value.