23 January, 2026 (Last Updated)

Upcoming Hackathons in Pune

As January 2026 approaches, it’s time to gear up for some of the most exciting hackathons happening in Pune. If you’re into coding, brainstorming, and maybe a bit of friendly competition, you’re going to love what’s coming up.

In this blog, we’re excited to guide you through the most awaited hackathons in Pune for January 2026. So, grab your laptops, rally your team, and let’s dive into the world of creativity and coding!

Overview of Upcoming Hackathons in Pune

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

S.No.	Hackathon	Mode	First Prize	Registration Link
1.	CodeLites 2.0	Offline	$100	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 Pune in January

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

1. CodeLites 2.0

CodeLites 2.0 is a 24-hour offline hackathon hosted by the Unstop IGNITERS Club and FOSS Club PDEACOEM at PDEA’s College of Engineering, Pune. Centered around the themes of Agentic AI, Web3, and Open Innovation, this event is designed to spark boundary-pushing solutions and collaboration among future tech leaders.

Total prize pool is $100 (~₹8,000) supported by ETHIndia.

Mode: Offline

Type: Free

Objective: Foster innovation and collaboration through 24 hours of hands-on problem-solving in AI, Web3, and Open Innovation

Organizer: Unstop IGNITERS Club & FOSS Club, PDEACOEM

Eligibility:

Open to students from all backgrounds

Duration:

February 7–8, 2026

Team Size: 2 – 4 Members

Registration Deadline: 14 January 2026

Start Date: 7 Feb 2026

Rewards & Prizes:

Total Prize Pool: $100
Sponsored by ETHIndia
Participation certificates provided

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

We hope this article helps you to identify upcoming hackathons in Pune 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 Pune have to offer!

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FAQs

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

The next hackathons in Pune are:

CodeLites 2.0
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 Pune?

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 Technologies or other specialized fields.

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

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?

No, 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 Pune that I should keep an eye on?

Events like the CodeLites 2.0 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