Hack-the-issue'26 Hackathon

Event Details Dates: 23 October 2026 (11:00 AM) – 24 October 2026 (1:30 PM) Duration: 32-Hour Non-Stop Hackathon Venue: I.T.S Engineering College, Greater Noida Registration Fee: ₹300 per person Prize Pool: ₹40,000 Team Size: 3 participants per team Event Description HackTheIssue is the flagship 32-hour collegiate hackathon of TechTrix'26, organized by E-Cell ITSEC in collaboration with the Navrachna Foundation for Entrepreneurship Development (NFED), the Incubation Center of I.T.S Engineering College, Greater Noida. The hackathon invites college students to form teams and register under either the Software or Hardware track to solve pressing real-world challenges. Official problem statements are released 72 hours before the event, giving teams time to prepare, though official hacking time begins only after passing an initial screening round. Participants must bring their own laptops, hardware components, and other required materials, though event-provided equipment may be available under special circumstances. Eligibility Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate college students Valid college ID card is mandatory BYOD & Overnight Safety Teams must bring their own laptops, chargers, extension cords, and hardware modules For safety, shortlisted teams hacking overnight at the venue cannot leave campus after 8:00 PM until 7:00 AM the next morning — if a shortlisted team wishes to back out after 8 PM, they will not be permitted to leave the venue Round 1: Idea Presentation & Screening Each team gets a 5-minute pitch followed by a 2-minute Q&A with the jury Round 2: 32-Hour Build Sprint Shortlisted teams construct working prototypes on-site, evaluated on their final execution and team dynamics Judging Criteria Round 1 Judging Criteria Innovation – 25% Feasibility – 20% Impact – 20% Problem Understanding / Identification – 15% Presentation – 10% Scalability – 10% Round 2 Judging Criteria Problem Solved / Solution Goal Achieved — how effectively the working prototype solves the core problem and meets the initial pitch goals UI/UX & Build Quality — visual appeal, user-friendliness, intuitive interface design (or hardware ergonomics/build quality) Responsiveness & Functionality — system stability, speed, cross-device responsiveness, and operational execution Team Dynamics / Involvement — collaboration, clear division of labor, and active contribution from all team members Disqualification As per the common TechTrix'26 rules applicable to all events, the following will result in immediate disqualification: Misconduct with judges, volunteers, or organisers; physical altercation Deliberate damage to venue/property Cheating or plagiarism Use of another team's hardware/software; external assistance prohibited Tampering with another team's equipment Misrepresentation of participant identity The final decision rests entirely with the jury and organizing committee. Any form of misconduct will result in immediate disqualification. Opportunities for Winners: Incubation Support — Up to ₹90,000Get incubation support worth up to ₹90,000 for 18 months to develop and scale your innovative idea. Get Truscholar credits -- Up to ₹14.2+ Lakhs Expert MentorshipReceive guidance from industry experts and experienced mentors to refine your idea, strategy, and business model. Product Development SupportGet hands-on support to build, test, and refine your product and turn your idea into a market-ready solution. NOTE-: Registration Fees are not refundable.