23 January, 2026 (Last Updated)

Upcoming Hackathons in Hyderabad

Ever wondered what it takes to be at the forefront of technological innovation? The upcoming hackathons in Hyderabad this January 2026 are brewing a storm of coding challenges and creative problem-solving.

In our latest blog, unravel the layers of these hackathons in Hyderabad, as we guide you through choosing the right event that promises not just competition, but a transformative journey of learning, networking, and personal growth.

Overview of Upcoming Hackathons in Hyderabad

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

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

Upcoming Hackathons in Hyderabad in January

Below is the list of upcoming hackathons in Hyderabad in January 2026:

1. Codestorm – 2026

Codestorm – 2026 is a high-intensity, 36-hour offline national-level hackathon hosted by Narsimha Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad. Unlike traditional formats, there’s no prior idea submission — teams solve on-the-spot real-world challenges and build functional prototypes in real-time. A great opportunity for students to demonstrate creativity, collaboration, and coding expertise under pressure.

Total Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000

Mode: Offline

Type: Paid – ₹600 per student

Objective: Real-time innovation – solve challenges revealed on-site

Organizer: Narsimha Reddy Engineering College, Hyderabad

Eligibility:

Undergraduate engineering students

Duration:

31 January – 1 February 2026

Team Size: 4 to 6 members (with at least one female member mandatory)

Registration Deadline: 22 January 2026

Start Date: 31 January 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000

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:

24 hours

Team Size: 2–4 members

Registration Deadline: 29 January 2026

Start Date: 30 January 2026

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

Hackathons in Hyderabad offer a diverse range of opportunities for individuals to engage in innovation, problem-solving, and networking.

They cater to various interests and skill levels, from students to professionals, and often provide valuable resources, mentorship, and potential career opportunities.

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FAQs

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

The next hackathons in Hyderabad are:

Codestorm – 2026
Vivitsu 2026
ET Gen AI Hackathon
Innovate4FinLit Game Challenge

For specific dates and venues, it’s best to check online platforms like HackerEarth.

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

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 criteria differ from one hackathon to another. Some hackathons are open to all, including students and professionals, with no prior technical background required, while others may target specific groups such as developers with experience in hardware, design, or blockchain technology.

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

Hackathons in Hyderabad can range from 24-hour events to multi-week competitions. They may be conducted in various formats, including online, offline, and hybrid modes.

Participants may need to work individually or in teams, and events may include preliminary rounds and final on-site development phases.

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

Not necessarily. While some hackathons are technical and require programming or development skills, others are open to anyone with innovative ideas, including those without a technical background. Always check the specific event’s eligibility criteria.

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

Yes, some of the notable hackathons in Hyderabad include Codestorm – 2026 and Vivitsu 2026.

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