PSB's Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026
Punjab National Bank
📌 About the Event
PSB’s Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 is a national-level initiative hosted by Punjab National Bank (PNB) in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. Powered by the Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance, and the Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), this hackathon is designed to strengthen cybersecurity in public sector banks. Participants are challenged to develop an enterprise-wide software scanner solution to validate the deployment of quantum-proof cyphers and create a cryptographic bill of material (CBOM) inventory for public-facing applications (Web Servers, APIs, and Systems).
ℹ️ Event Details
- Category: Cybersecurity / Technical Hackathon
- Eligibility: Open to students from all recognized institutes and universities.
- Team Size: Team of atleast 3 to 4 members.
- Effort Level: High – Technical development involving quantum-safe algorithms and cryptographic inventory tools.
- Submission Type: Online registration and idea submission, followed by virtual presentations and final prototype development.
📅 Important Dates
- Registration: 2nd February- 28th February 2026
- Deadline: 28th February 2026
- Clarification Session: 2nd March – 6th March 2026
- Idea Submission: 2nd March – 10th March 2026
- Shortlisting (Virtual Presentation): 15th March – 20th March 2026
- Final Presentation of Prototype: 10th – 15th April 2026
🏆 Prize & Recognition
- Total Prize Pool: Up to ₹11,00,000 (11 Lakhs).
- Recognition: National-level recognition for winners at the closing ceremony.
- Certificates: Certificates of Excellence, Merit, or Consolation for all participating teams.
📞 Contact Information
- General Support: Refer to the official PNB portal at pnb.bank.in
- Collaboration Partner: IIT Kanpur (Technical support and guidance).