National Machine Coding, LLD and Production Debugging Contest

LeetCode tests algorithms. Engineering Cup tests whether you can actually build software. Gronex Engineering Cup #1 is a free, online, 2-hour contest for students and working engineers. You solve three brand-new problems inside real code repositories, in your browser, and every submission is auto-graded against a real test suite. Platform: The contest is conducted entirely on Gronex, in its browser-based coding workspace with built-in auto-grading. Unstop is used for registration and announcements; the problems are solved and scored on Gronex at gronex.org/contest/engineering-cup-1. When: Saturday, 31 October 2026, 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM IST (2 hours, online). The Problems: Machine coding (Easy): build a working module against a real test suite. Low-level design (Hard): extend an existing codebase without breaking what already works. Production debugging (Hard): app, database and cache logs from a failing service. Find the root cause and fix the bug that took prod down. Solve in Java, Python, Node.js or C++. Everything runs in the browser workspace, so there's nothing to install. How Scoring Works: Each problem is scored by the % of tests passing on your best run inside the contest window. Your total is the sum across the three problems (max 300). Part of each test suite is hidden and only runs at grading, so the code has to be correct, not just make the visible tests pass. Ties go to whoever reached their final total first. Run as often as you like during the contest. A live leaderboard is shown on Gronex during and after the contest. Prizes: 1st: Rs 5,000 + Gronex swag kit (bag, t-shirt, bottle) 2nd and 3rd: Gronex swag kit 4th to 10th: 1 month of Gronex Pro Everyone who submits: a verifiable certificate of participation (top performers get a Certificate of Merit) that you can add to LinkedIn How to Participate: Register here on Unstop. Register on the contest page with a verified Gronex account (free): gronex.org/contest/engineering-cup-1 At 7:00 PM IST on 31 October, the problems unlock on Gronex for registered participants. Want to warm up? Try any free problem on gronex.org. It's the same workspace and test runner you'll use on contest night. Rules: Free entry. Individual participation. One account per person; duplicate or automated accounts are disqualified. Only runs inside the contest window count. Only the AI help built into the Gronex workspace is allowed. Using outside AI tools (ChatGPT, Claude, Copilot, etc.) or sharing solutions during the contest is not, and may lead to disqualification after review. Swag kits ship within India; winners share a delivery address after results. Results are final after review. Gronex may disqualify entries that break these rules.