DNS HackElite 26'

HackElite 26’ is a 24-hour national-level hackathon organized by Developer Network Space (DNS), SRM IST Vadapalani.
Building on the success of HackElite 25’, this edition is bigger, more competitive, and more industry-focused, bringing together top student innovators from across India.

Participants will collaborate, ideate, and build impactful solutions across Software, Hardware, AI/ML, and Open Innovation, guided by experienced mentors and evaluated by industry professionals.

Eligibility
Open to undergraduate students from any recognized college or university in India

Inter-college teams are allowed

Inter-specialization / interdisciplinary teams are allowed

Participants must carry a valid college ID during the event

All team members must register individually on Unstop

Team Composition
Team size: 4 – 6 members

Teams must be formed before registration

No change of team members is allowed after final confirmation

Problem Statements & Tracks
14 curated problem statements across multiple domains

1 Open Innovation Track (teams may propose their own problem statement)

Problem statements will be released prior to Round 1

Each team must select one problem statement to work on

Hackathon Format & Rounds
Round 1: Idea Screening
Mode: Online | Format: PPT Round
Duration: 22 January 2026 – 26 January 2026
Registration Fee: Free

Teams must submit a PPT-based idea proposal

PPT must strictly follow the official template provided by the organizers

Submission must be done only through the official Google Form shared in the HackElite 26’ WhatsApp group

Evaluation based on:

Relevance to the problem statement

Innovation & feasibility

Clarity of solution approach

Monetization & impact potential

Results will be released on or before 27 January 2026
Shortlisted teams qualify for Round 2

Round 2: Idea + MVP Evaluation
Mode: Online | Format: PPT + MVP
Duration: 28 January 2026 – 4 February 2026
Registration Fee: ₹400 per team

Teams must submit the following only through the official Google Form shared in the WhatsApp group:

Updated PPT (as per official template)

Deployed MVP / prototype link

Evaluation focuses on:

Technical feasibility

Prototype validation

Scalability & execution plan

Results will be released on or before 6 February 2026
Shortlisted teams advance to the Final Round

Round 3: Final Hackathon
Mode: Offline | Onsite
Registration Fee: ₹400 per team

24-hour onsite hackathon at SRM IST Vadapalani

Continuous build phase with:

Mentor guidance

Industry interaction

Teams must develop a working prototype / MVP

Final project presentation & demo before industry judges and faculty

Evaluation Criteria
Innovation & originality

Technical implementation

Feasibility & scalability

Problem understanding

Presentation & demo quality

Real-world applicability & impact

Event Details
Duration: 24 Hours

Mode: Offline (Final Round)

Venue: SRM IST Vadapalani Campus

Dates: 10 – 11 February 2026

Prizes & Perks
Prize Pool: ₹XX,XXX

Certificates for all participants

Industry exposure & expert mentorship

Opportunity to build portfolio-ready projects

Rules & Guidelines
All submissions for Round 1 and Round 2 must be made only through the official Google Forms shared in the HackElite 26’ WhatsApp group. Submissions through email or other platforms will not be accepted.

All participants are mandatorily required to join the official WhatsApp group, which serves as the primary communication channel for:

PPT templates

Google Form submission links

Announcements & updates
https://chat.whatsapp.com/D8s9yKglSD7BTBc6y7T7ah

All PPT submissions must strictly follow the official template. Non-compliant submissions may be rejected or penalized.

Plagiarism or use of pre-built complete solutions will result in immediate disqualification.

All development must be done within the hackathon timeline.

Internet usage is permitted, unless stated otherwise for specific tracks.

Team members cannot be changed after final confirmation.

Any form of misconduct, malpractice, or rule violation may lead to disqualification.

The judges’ decisions are final and binding.

The organizing committee reserves the right to modify rules, timelines, or structure if required.

Why Participate in HackElite 26’?
Compete at a national level

Solve real-world, industry-relevant problems

Learn directly from experienced mentors

Build strong, resume-worthy projects

Experience a professionally executed hackathon

DNS HackElite 26': A 24hr National Hackathon hosted by SRMIST Vadapalani Campus

Round 1: 28th January 11:59PM
Round 2: 4th February 11:59PM
Round 3 (Main Final Hackathon): 7th February 11:59PM

First round is free. Only shortlisted teams would have to pay.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/cttsBQMon8MfYYRE9