20 January, 2026 (Last Updated)

Upcoming Hackathons in Bangalore

Ever found yourself daydreaming about coding up the next big thing or collaborating on a game-changing project? Well, guess what? January 2026 is about to be your new favorite month, especially if you’re in or around Bangalore.

You see, this bustling tech hub we call home is no stranger to hackathons. So grab your favorite hoodie and prepare that coffee maker—because the hackathons in Bangalore this January are gonna be lit!

Overview of Upcoming Hackathons in Bangalore

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

S.No.	Hackathon	Mode	First Prize	Registration Link
1.	RIFT '26	Offline	₹2,50,000	Register here
2.	Vivitsu 2026	Online	₹1,00,000	Register here
2.	ET Gen AI Hackathon	Online	₹10,00,000	Register here
3.	Innovate4FinLit Game Challenge	Online	₹2,50,000	Register here

Upcoming Hackathons in Bangalore in January

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

1. RIFT ’26 – Hackathon by Physics Wallah Institute of Innovation

RIFT ’26 is a high-energy, 24-hour offline open innovation hackathon happening across four major cities: Bengaluru, Pune, Noida, and Lucknow. It brings together developers, designers, and changemakers to break norms and build impactful tech solutions in a real-time setting.

Total Prize Pool: ₹2,50,000

Mode: Offline

Type: Free

Objective: To empower young innovators to solve real-world problems through disruptive, real-time solutions in a high-intensity 24-hour hackathon across four Indian cities.

Organizer: Physics Wallah Institute of Innovation

Eligibility:

Open to UG/PG students
Engineering, medical
School students & freshers

Duration:

9 Feb 2026 | 9:00 AM – 20 Feb 2026 | 5:00 AM
24-hour physical hackathon at multiple city campuses

Team Size: 2 to 4 members

Registration Deadline: 23 January 2026

Start Date: 19–20 February 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Total Prize Pool: ₹2,50,000
₹1,00,000 – Winner
₹75,000 – Runner-up
₹50,000 – Second Runner-up
₹15,000 – First Consolation
₹10,000 – Second Consolation
Certificates for all participants

2. Vivitsu 2026 – National-Level 24-Hour Hackathon

Vivitsu 2026 is a national-level 24-hour offline hackathon hosted by Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology (GRIET), Hyderabad, and organized by the Free Software Wing. It offers a collaborative platform for students to solve real-world challenges across multiple domains. Projects built using open-source software will receive special weightage in evaluations.

Total Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000

Mode: Online

Type: Paid – ₹3,000 per team

Objective: Build innovative solutions in 24 hours with extra credits for using open-source tools

Organizer: Free Software Wing, GRIET, Hyderabad

Eligibility:

Undergraduate, Postgraduate, Engineering, Management, Law, Medical & Arts students

Duration:

29 January 2026

Team Size: 2–4 members

Registration Deadline: 29 January 2026

Start Date: 18 July 2025

Rewards & Prizes:

Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000 (domain-wise distribution)
Certificates: Winners + Participation

3. ET Gen AI Hackathon | ₹10,00,000 Prize Pool + PPIs

The ET Gen AI Hackathon is a nationwide GenAI innovation challenge aimed at identifying and celebrating India’s most promising AI talent. Through multiple rounds—MCQ, idea submission, prototype development, and a final build marathon—participants will solve real-world GenAI challenges across business, social, and open innovation domains.

The hackathon boasts a total prize pool of over ₹10,00,000, including PPIs, Internships, and Job Opportunities from top AI-first companies and Certificates

Mode: Online

Type: Free

Objective: To enable AI-driven innovation by challenging participants to build scalable, real-world GenAI solutions.

Organizer: The Economic Times

Eligibility:

Students, professionals & AI enthusiasts across India

Duration:

Key Dates & Phases
Phase 1 – Online Qualifier (MCQ + Idea Submission)
MCQ Deadline: 27 Jan 2026
Idea Submission Deadline: 1 Feb 2026
Result Declaration: 7 Feb 2026
Phase 2 – Prototype Submission
Start: 7 Feb 2026
End: 15 Feb 2026
Evaluation: Based on innovation, execution, and impact
Phase 3 – Online Build Marathon
Start: 23 Feb 2026
End: 4 Mar 2026
Live Jury Evaluation
Result: 6 Mar 2026
Phase 4 – Grand Finale
Date: To be announced
Includes: Presentations, jury interaction, awards & networking

Team Size: 1–4 members

Registration Deadline: January 25, 2026

Start Date: January 27, 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Winner: ₹5,00,000
1st Runner-Up: ₹3,00,000
2nd Runner-Up: ₹2,00,000
PPIs, Internships, and Job Opportunities from top AI-first companies
Certificates:
Participation Certificate from The Economic Times
Certificate of Merit for top 3 teams per college
National-level recognition across ET media platforms

4. Innovate4FinLit Game Challenge

Innovate4FinLit is a national virtual challenge by NCFE inviting students, professionals, and innovators to build gamified financial literacy tools. Open to all, participants can choose tracks like farmers, women, students, or young adults.

With a ₹5,00,000 prize pool, the challenge promotes financial education through innovation, offering national recognition and mentorship.

Mode: Online

Type: Free

Objective:

To create gamified, low-bandwidth-friendly, and behavior-driven financial literacy tools for diverse Indian communities.

Organizer: National Centre for Financial Education (NCFE)

Eligibility:

Students, professionals, educators, startups, and freelancers
Open to all academic disciplines

Duration:

Idea Submission Deadline: 8 February 2026
Prototype Development Phase: 18 February – 19 March 2026
Finale (Top 10 Teams): 31 March 2026

Team Size: 1-4 members

Registration Deadline: 8 February 2026, 11:59 PM IST

Start Date: 31 Jan 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

1st Prize: ₹2,50,000
2nd Prize: ₹1,50,000
3rd Prize: ₹1,00,000
Total Prize Pool: ₹5,00,000
National recognition, mentorship, and participation certificates

Final Words

We hope this article helps you to identify upcoming hackathons in Bangalore in January 2026. These events are your ticket to the latest in tech, networking, and of course, some serious coding. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t forget to bring your A-game.

So, let’s get right into it and see what hackathons in Bangalore have to offer!

Explore More Locations

FAQs

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

The next hackathons in Bangalore are:

RIFT ’26
Vivitsu 2026
ET Gen AI Hackathon
Innovate4FinLit Game Challenge

Check platforms like HackerEarth for specific dates and themes.

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

Registration can be done online through the event’s official website or platforms like HackerEarth. Usually, you’ll need to fill out a form and sometimes submit a project proposal.

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

Eligibility varies by event. Some are open to all, while others may require a background in blockchain, AI, or other specialized fields.

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

Most hackathons last between 24 to 48 hours and are conducted online. 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 welcome participants with diverse skills, including design and business strategy.

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

Events like RIFT ’26 and Vivitsu 2026 are gaining prominence. Keep an eye on tech community forums for updates.

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