IEEE Synapse Hackathon

BUILD BEYOND CODE Build Intelligent. Build Secure. Build for the Real World. About IEEE Synapse: IEEE SYNAPSE 2026 is an offline technology and innovation hackathon organized by the IEEE Student Branch, AISSMS IOIT Pune. The hackathon brings together students from different colleges and disciplines to identify real-world problems, develop practical technology solutions, and demonstrate their ideas through working prototypes within a 6-hour build period. IEEE SYNAPSE focuses on problem-solving, innovation, technical implementation, functionality, creativity, and real-world impact. Participants are free to choose the programming languages, frameworks, libraries, APIs, and development environments best suited to their solution. Theme — Build Beyond Code: Participants are encouraged to follow this approach: Identify a Problem → Design a Solution → Build a Functional Prototype → Demonstrate its Impact The goal is not simply to write code, but to turn ideas into practical and meaningful solutions. Hackathon Tracks: Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Systems Build intelligent solutions that address practical and complex problems. Possible areas include: • Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning• Generative AI• Agentic AI• Natural Language Processing• Computer Vision• Intelligent Automation Cybersecurity & Digital Trust Develop solutions that improve the security, privacy, reliability, and trustworthiness of digital systems. Possible areas include: • Threat Detection• Fraud Detection• Digital Privacy• Secure Authentication• Identity & Access Management• Security Automation• Data Protection Social Impact & Sustainability Use technology to address challenges affecting society, communities, and the environment. Possible areas include: • Education• Healthcare• Accessibility• Environmental Sustainability• Climate & Resource Management• Public Services• Community Development Open Innovation & Emerging Technologies Explore innovative ideas and emerging technologies that do not necessarily fall within the other tracks. Possible areas include: • Blockchain & Web3• FinTech• AR/VR• Data Science• Digital Platforms• Emerging Technologies• Cross-domain Solutions Eligibility: • Open to students from recognized colleges and institutions.• Students from all branches and years are eligible.• Inter-college participation is allowed.• Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.• Team size: 1–4 members.• Solo participation is permitted.• Each participant may be part of only one team.• One member must be designated as the Team Leader during registration.• Participants must carry a valid college ID for on-campus verification. Registration Fees: • Solo — ₹100• 2 Members — ₹150• 3 Members — ₹200• 4 Members — ₹250 Registration will be conducted through Unstop. Registration & Payment Process: 1. Register on Unstop Register on Unstop and complete your team registration. 2. Complete Team Registration Ensure that all team members have completed their registration on Unstop. 3. Make Payment The Team Leader must make a single payment according to the final team size. 4. Submit Payment Confirmation After completing the payment, the Team Leader must submit the Payment Confirmation Form. Payment Confirmation Form:https://forms.gle/UhCtgharsh9VfR899 Only one payment confirmation form should be submitted per team. Please do not submit the payment form before completing team registration on Unstop. Registration will be considered confirmed only after successful payment verification by the organizing committee. Hackathon Format: Mode: Offline Preparation & Briefing: Approximately 1 Hour Build Duration: 6 Hours Evaluation & Judging: Approximately 2–3 Hours Participants will develop their solutions during the official 6-hour build period. The problem/challenge will be announced at the start of the hackathon. Technology Guidelines: Participants may use: • Any programming language• Any framework or library• APIs and third-party services• Open-source technologies• Cloud platforms• Any preferred IDE, editor, or development environment• AI tools, generative AI platforms, and coding assistants Internet usage is allowed and internet access will be provided at the venue, subject to institutional network availability. AI Usage: AI tools are allowed. Participants are responsible for: • Understanding and validating their implementation• Ensuring originality of their work• Respecting applicable licenses and third-party terms• Being able to explain their implementation during judging Use of AI tools does not exempt participants from the event's originality and plagiarism rules. Originality & Project Development: • All submitted work must be original.• Pre-built projects or substantially completed applications developed before the hackathon cannot be submitted as new work.• Public libraries, frameworks, APIs, and development tools are permitted.• The core solution must be developed during the hackathon.• Each team must maintain its project in a GitHub repository.• Teams must commit their development work during the official 6-hour build period.• Repository history may be reviewed by the organizing and judging teams to verify originality and development activity. Official Technical Deliverables: There is NO PPT or slide-deck requirement. Each team must submit only the following: GitHub Repository The repository must contain the project's source code and relevant files. README.md — Official Technical Documentation The README will serve as the official technical documentation for the project and should clearly explain: • Problem Statement• Proposed Solution• Features• Technical Implementation• Setup Instructions• Usage Instructions• Technologies Used• Limitations / Future Scope Working Project / Demo Teams must demonstrate a working version of their solution during the final evaluation. Final Submission: The final submission must be completed at the end of the official 6-hour build period. Teams will submit: • GitHub Repository• README.md• Working Project / Demo through the official submission process announced by the organizing committee. A short upload grace period may be provided only for technical submission issues and will not extend the development period. Judging Criteria: Projects will be evaluated using the following criteria: • Innovation — 20%• Technical Implementation — 25%• Problem Relevance — 15%• Functionality — 20%• Creativity — 10%• Demo & Explanation — 5%• Overall Impact — 5% Total — 100% Tie-Breaking: In the event of a tie, the following criteria will be considered in order: Technical Implementation → Functionality → Innovation Live Demo & Evaluation: Each team will receive: 4 Minutes — Live Demonstration 2 Minutes — Judge Q&A Teams should be prepared to explain: • The problem they addressed• Their proposed solution• Technical architecture and implementation• Key features• Challenges encountered• Future scope The judges' decision will be treated as final, subject to the official event rules. Code of Conduct: Participants are expected to: • Maintain professional behavior throughout the event.• Respect organizers, judges, volunteers, and fellow participants.• Follow venue, safety, and event instructions.• Maintain discipline and use institute facilities responsibly.• Avoid plagiarism, cheating, and other unfair practices. Disqualification: A team may be disqualified for: • Plagiarism or unauthorized copying• Misrepresentation of participant or project information• Submission of a pre-built project• Violation of event rules• Unethical or unfair practices• Late submission where late submissions are not permitted• Serious misconduct or violation of venue instructions Prizes & Recognition: The event will include: • Winner• First Runner-up• Second Runner-up• Additional special awards may be announced by the organizing committee. Eligible participants who complete the hackathon and make a valid submission will receive participation certificates. Winner and special recognition certificates will be provided as applicable. Important Dates: • Registration Deadline: 7 October 2026• Hackathon: 9 October 2026• Problem/Challenge Announcement: At the start of the hackathon• Submission: End of the 6-hour build period• Evaluation: Approximately 2–3 hours after submission• Results: Same day, subject to the event schedule Venue: AISSMS IOIT Campus, Pune Detailed venue, reporting time, room/section, and event-day instructions will be communicated through the official event page and participant communication channels. BUILD • INNOVATE • COMPETE Bring your ideas. Solve meaningful problems. Build practical solutions. Make your mark at IEEE SYNAPSE 2026.