Soci-O-Thon

Event Description: SOCI-O-THON is where social impact meets a maraTHON of building, under the banner of Souhardya 2026. Over two intense rounds, teams take a real community problem and turn it into a working, presentable solution, judged whether it could genuinely work on the ground. About: SOCI-O-THON is the flagship social-impact hackathon of Souhardya 2026. Teams pick a theme, get handed a real-world problem statement, and build a solution -- technical, non-technical, or hybrid; that could realistically be deployed to help the people it's meant for. This is a call for builders who want their code, their design, or their idea to matter beyond a leaderboard. Themes (choose one at registration): Mental Wellbeing & Community Care: Solutions for mental health support, elderly care, accessibility, and stronger, more resilient communities. Energy & Sustainability: Ideas around renewable energy, waste management, water conservation, and cleaner cities. Women & Child Empowerment: Tools for safety, education, financial independence, and better maternal & child health. Rural Development: Solutions for agriculture, rural livelihoods, digital/financial inclusion, and rural healthcare access. Health & Hygiene: Innovations in public health, sanitation, preventive care, and accessible medical technology. Competition Structure: Registration & Theme Selection: Teams register and lock in one theme. Problem Statement Release: On 30 September, teams receive their theme's actual problem statement along with the official PPT submission template. Round 1: Solution Presentation (Online): On 5 October, teams present their proposed solution online via PPT, following the provided template. This is a presentation of approach, feasibility, and design. Teams shortlisted from Round 1 are required to pay registration fee to enter Final Round that will take place on 30th October 2026, at RGIPT, Jais Campus, Uttar Pradesh. Guidelines & Rules: Eligibility: Open to everyone -- no restriction on branch, year, or institution. Team formation: 1 minimum, 4 maximum members allowed. The team leader registers and adds members. Every Team Member needs their own Unstop account prior to registration by the team leader. Registration fee (early bird): ₹500, for registrations completed on or before 30 September 2026. Registration fee (regular): ₹750, for registrations between 1- 15 October, 2026. Important: Fee is not collected at registration. The fee amount is locked in based on your registration date, but it is only payable if/when your team is shortlisted for the finals. Teams not shortlisted pay nothing. (* + ₹450 - optional; food and accomodation) Each team may register under only one theme. Submissions must follow the official PPT template released on 30 September, off-template submissions may not be evaluated. All content submitted must be original; plagiarism or reuse of past hackathon submissions will lead to disqualification. Organizers' decisions on shortlisting and judging are final. Explore Souhardya: Explore Other Events: Nirmaan — A social-technical conference bringing together social activists, administrators, IAS/IPS officers, academicians, industry professionals, NGOs, innovators, and students on a common platform. Pratibimb — A short-film competition that encourages students to reflect on societal issues through powerful storytelling. Participants may explore drama, documentary, and experimental cinema, using film to inspire awareness, dialogue, and positive change. Drishtikon — A photography competition that invites participants to capture stories, emotions, and social realities through their lenses. It celebrates creativity and distinctive perspectives, encouraging viewers to look beyond what meets the eye. Special Celebrations for Participants: KaviRaag — A national poetry and literature event celebrating Indian culture and creative expression. Previous editions featured renowned poets and performers, including Sarvesh Asthana, Charag Sharma, Aayushi Rakhecha, and Durgesh Dubey, before an audience of over 1,500. Rivaaz — A cultural exhibition showcasing the artistry of local craftspeople through handmade jewellery, textiles, handicrafts, and traditional creations. It celebrates craftsmanship, preserves cultural heritage, and highlights the creativity, values, and traditions of local communities. Science & Social Innovation Exhibition — A dedicated exhibition platform where bright young minds from schools across the region present their innovative scientific and social projects, demonstrating creative solutions to real-world problems. The advertised prize pool represents the total combined value of the rewards, which may be distributed in the form of cash, sponsor merchandise, event tickets, vouchers, or a combination thereof at the Organizer's sole discretion. Participants who register for SOCI-O-THON can register for all other SOUHARDHYA 2026 events free of charge (including NIRMAAN).