📌About the Event

TECHNOVA 2026 is a national-level AI innovation challenge organised by Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, in collaboration with the TSOM Innovation & Incubation Centre. Third- and final-year engineering students can develop scalable AI-powered solutions for real-world challenges and compete for cash awards worth ₹10 lakh. The competition progresses through online campus prelims, physical zonal rounds and a national grand finale at the TSM campus in Madurai.

---

ℹ️ Event Details

• Theme: “Solving Tomorrow’s Problems Today”
• Competition format: Team-based AI innovation challenge
• Team size: 3–5 members
• Mode of conduct: Hybrid
• Campus prelims: Online
• Zonal rounds: Physical
• National grand finale: Physical
• Finale venue: Thiagarajar School of Management, Madurai, Tamil Nadu
• Core objective: Develop innovative, scalable and impactful solutions using artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.
• Major tracks: Generative AI, Industry 5.0, healthcare, agriculture, education, fintech, cybersecurity, robotics, sustainability, smart cities and business automation.

---

📅 Important Dates

• Registration deadline: August 25, 2026
• National grand finale: September 30, 2026
• Finale location: TSM Campus, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

---

🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Open to third- and final-year engineering students across India.
• Students must participate in teams of 3–5 members.
• Eligible disciplines include:
• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
• Data Science
• Computer Science and Information Technology
• Electronics and Electrical Engineering
• Robotics and Mechatronics
• Mechanical and Civil Engineering
• Biotechnology and allied disciplines
• Teams must develop an AI-based solution addressing a real-world business, industrial, environmental or social problem.
• Proposed solutions should demonstrate innovation, scalability and practical impact.
• Participants will first compete in online campus prelims.

---

🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• Total cash awards: ₹10 lakh
• Zonal-level awards: ₹2 lakh
• Grand finale awards: ₹8 lakh
• National Champion: ₹1 lakh
• Best AI Innovation: ₹1 lakh
• Best Social Impact Solution: ₹1 lakh
• Best Startup Potential: ₹1 lakh
• Best Sustainability Innovation: ₹1 lakh
• Best Women-Led Team: ₹1 lakh
• Best Industry Solution: ₹1 lakh
• Jury Special Recognition: ₹1 lakh