8 January, 2026 (Last Updated)

Upcoming Hackathons in Chennai

Ready to unleash your coding prowess and make some serious tech waves? If you’re nodding your head, then you’re probably on the hunt for hackathons in Chennai, especially those coming up in January 2026.

So, mark your calendars and set those reminders for January 2026! It could be the game-changing month you’ve been waiting for, catapulting you into the tech stratosphere.

Overview of Upcoming Hackathons in Chennai

Here’s an overview of hackathons happening in Chennai this month:

S.No.	Hackathon	Mode	First Prize	Registration Link
1.	SMART ENERGY CHALLENGE 2026	Hybrid	Certificates for all	Register here
2.	TechDivathon 2.0	Offline	Certificates for all	Register here
3	GameTrade Hackathon	Online	₹30,000	Register here
4	Hackcelerate’26	Offline	$100	Register here

Upcoming Hackathons in Chennai in January

Below is the list of Upcoming Hackathons in Chennai in January 2026:

1. SMART ENERGY CHALLENGE 2026

SMART ENERGY CHALLENGE (SEC) is a hybrid hackathon organized by Chennai Institute of Technology focusing on solving real-world problems in the electrical and renewable energy domain.

Participants will design hardware or simulation-based prototypes to tackle energy efficiency, power optimization, EV charging, and more.

Mode: Hybrid

Type: Paid (₹200 per team for Round 2)

Objective:

Solve real-world power and energy problems using smart, sustainable engineering solutions

Organizer: Chennai Institute of Technology

Eligibility:

Students with knowledge in Electrical, Electronics, and Power Systems
Teams of 2 to 5 members
Cross-disciplinary teams allowed

Duration:

Stage 1: Abstract Submission
Deadline: 20 January 2026
Online Presentation (after 20 Jan)
Stage 2: Final Demo & Offline Presentation
Date: 5 February 2026

Team Size: 2–5 members

Registration Deadline: 20th of January

Start Date: 20th January 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Participation Certificates for all

2. TechDivathon 2.0

TechDivathon 2.0 is a women-centric national-level 24-hour offline hackathon hosted by Panimalar Engineering College, Chennai.

The event provides a powerful platform for women from engineering and arts streams to collaborate and innovate real-world solutions across multiple tech domains.

Mode: Offline

Type: Free

Objective:

Empower women through innovation & hands-on tech development

Organizer: Panimalar Engineering College (PEC), Chennai

Eligibility:

Female students only
UG & PG from Engineering, Arts, Commerce, and Science
Inter-college and inter-disciplinary teams allowed

Duration:

24-hour hackathon

Team Size: 2 to 4 members

Registration Deadline: 31 Jan 26, 05:00 AM IST

Start Date: 31 Jan, 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Participation certificates for all

3. GameTrade Hackathon

GameTrade Hackathon by IIT Madras is a national-level online hackathon where participants design and build educational simulation games to teach banking concepts to school students (ages 11–13).

With two rounds—storyboard + concept and prototype development—the hackathon emphasizes creativity, gameplay, and learning value.

Mode: Online

Type: Free

Objective:

Build fun, engaging, and educational games to teach core banking concepts to kids

Organizer: Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras

Eligibility:

Undergraduate, Postgraduate, and students from:
Engineering
Management
Arts, Commerce, and Sciences

Duration:

Phase 1: Storyboard & Concept Round
Submit 10–15 frame storyboard, 2–3 min video, and a concept document
Ends: 26 Jan 2026
Phase 2: Game Prototype Development
Shortlisted teams build a playable prototype with demo, teaching notes, and presentation
Dates: 01 Feb – 15 Feb 2026

Team Size: 1 – 5 members

Registration Deadline: 26 Jan 2026, 11:59 PM IST

Start Date: 26 Jan 2026, 11:59 PM IST

Rewards & Prizes:

Best Gameplay: ₹30,000
Best Educational Value: ₹25,000
Most Creative Concept: ₹20,000
Best Prototype Execution: ₹15,000
Jury Award: ₹10,000
Participation Certificate for all

4. Hackcelerate’26

Hackcelerate’26 is a national-level 24-hour offline hackathon happening in Chennai, where student teams from across India come together to develop tech-driven, impactful solutions to real-world problems.

The event promotes innovation, practical development, and team-based collaboration.

Mode: Offline

Type: Free

Objective:

Build impactful tech solutions under 24-hour pressure

Organizer: Hackcelerate Team

Eligibility:

Current UG students (from any college)
Cross-college teams allowed

Duration:

Round 1 (Online Idea Submission):
Deadline – January 15, 2026
Format – PPT as per official template
Round 2 (Hackathon):
Jan 30–31, 2026 (24 hours offline hackathon in Chennai)

Team Size: 2–4 members

Registration Deadline: January 15, 2026

Start Date: January 15, 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Total Prize Pool: $100
Additional recognition for innovation, impact, and execution

Final Words

January 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting month for hackathons in Chennai. So gather your team, brainstorm some groundbreaking ideas, and get ready to hack your way to glory in the upcoming hackathons in Chennai!

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FAQs

1. When and where are the next hackathons happening in Chennai?

The next hackathons in Chennai are:

SMART ENERGY CHALLENGE 2026
TechDivathon 2.0
GameTrade Hackathon
Hackcelerate’26

Check platforms like HackerEarth for specific dates and themes.

2. How can I register for a hackathon event in Chennai?

Registration for hackathon events in Chennai can usually be done online through the event’s official website or platforms like HackerEarth and Knowafest.

3. Are there any specific eligibility criteria to participate in these hackathons?

Eligibility for hackathon competitions in Chennai varies by event. Some are open to all, while others may require a background in specific fields like data science, machine learning, or blockchain.

4. What are the typical duration and format of hackathons in Chennai?

Most hackathons in Chennai last between 24 to 48 hours and are conducted either online or in-person. They usually involve team-based problem-solving and coding tasks.

5. Do I need to have a technical background to participate?

While a technical background is often beneficial, some hackathons in Chennai welcome participants with diverse skills, including design and business strategy.

6. Are there any famous or notable hackathons in Chennai that I should keep an eye on?

Events like the SMART ENERGY CHALLENGE 2026 and TechDivathon 2.0 are gaining prominence in the Chennai hackathon scene.

Thirumoorthy

Thirumoorthy serves as a teacher and coach. He obtained a 99 percentile on the CAT. He cleared numerous IT jobs and public sector job interviews, but he still decided to pursue a career in education. He desires to elevate the underprivileged sections of society through education