Hack[AI]thon 2.0

Hack[AI]Thon 2.0 2026 - Official Event Details About the Hackathon: Hack[AI]Thon 2.0 2026 is a national-level Artificial Intelligence hackathon organized by Sphere Hive in collaboration with VRIF VTU Belagavi. The event brings together students, innovators, and aspiring AI practitioners from across India to compete in a unique Data-Centric AI Challenge. Unlike traditional AI competitions that focus on modifying model architectures, participants will improve AI performance by enhancing dataset quality through intelligent data analysis, strategic labeling, and identification of high-impact samples. Teams will utilize the 3LC.ai platform to analyze embeddings, discover edge cases, optimize training data, and improve overall model performance. The hackathon follows a two-stage competition format, beginning with an online selection round and culminating in a 24-hour offline grand finale hosted at VRIF VTU Belagavi. Eligibility: Open to undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognized institutions across India. Students from all academic disciplines and specializations are eligible to participate. Participants must possess a valid college identity card. Prior experience in Artificial Intelligence or Machine Learning is beneficial but not mandatory. Team Composition: Participation is strictly team-based. Each team must consist of 2 to 4 members. Inter-college teams are permitted. Inter-disciplinary teams are encouraged. Event Format & Venue: Competition Format: Two Rounds Round 1 - Online Selection Round Teams will participate in a virtual screening challenge designed to evaluate problem-solving ability, data analysis skills, and strategic thinking in Data-Centric AI. Round 2 - 24-Hour Offline Grand Finale Selected teams from Round 1 will advance to the final round hosted at VRIF VTU Belagavi, Karnataka. Final Round Dates: 8–9 August 2026 During the finale, teams will work on a real-world AI challenge focused on image classification and dataset improvement using the tools and workflow provided by the organizers. Competition Structure: Round 1 - Online Selection Round Conducted virtually for all registered teams. Teams will solve a Data-Centric AI challenge within the allotted time. Performance will be evaluated based on the prescribed assessment criteria. Top-performing teams will qualify for the offline finale. Round 2 - 24-Hour Offline Grand Finale Opening ceremony and challenge briefing. Official problem statement release. Continuous 24-hour hacking session. Mentor interactions and technical checkpoints. Final submission, demonstration, and presentation before the judging panel. Prize distribution and closing ceremony. Problem Statement: Participants will receive the challenge statement at the beginning of each round. Teams will be expected to: Analyze datasets and identify quality issues. Detect edge cases and impactful samples. Perform strategic data labeling and curation. Improve model performance through Data-Centric AI techniques. Demonstrate measurable improvements in accuracy and reliability. Evaluation Criteria: Projects will be assessed on: Innovation and creativity Dataset enhancement strategy Improvement in model performance Technical implementation Problem-solving approach Presentation and demonstration quality Rules & Guidelines: All work submitted in the final round must be completed during the official hackathon duration. Teams must provide accurate registration information. Plagiarism, misconduct, or unfair practices will result in immediate disqualification. Participants are expected to maintain professional and respectful conduct throughout the event. Open-source libraries and publicly available resources may be used unless otherwise specified. Participants must bring their own laptops, chargers, and necessary accessories. Internet connectivity and workspace facilities will be provided at the venue. All submissions must be completed before the official deadline announced by the organizers. The organizing committee reserves the right to amend rules, schedules, or procedures if required. All decisions made by the judges and organizers shall be final and binding. Participant Benefits: Certificates for all registered participants. Direct mentorship from industry professionals and AI experts. Networking opportunities with innovators, researchers, and builders. Sponsored goodies and partner benefits. Exposure to modern Data-Centric AI workflows and tools. Opportunity to compete for a ₹35,000 Prize Pool. Additional Information: Cafeteria facilities are available in and around the venue. Limited accommodation support may be available for eligible participants. Detailed instructions regarding the competition, venue access, and reporting procedures will be shared with shortlisted teams before the final round. Beyond Code. Into Intelligence. Hack[AI]Thon 2.0 2026 is more than a competition - it's a platform to explore the future of Artificial Intelligence through data-driven innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.