Next Gen Hackathon 2026 -Bengaluru

Overview

The Next Gen Hackathon 2026, hosted by RAAIF and held in Bengaluru, is an in-person event that forms part of the NextGen Expo 2026. This national-level series of technology challenges is designed to bring together a diverse group of participants, including students, developers, engineers, creators, innovators, and startups from across the country. The hackathon provides a platform for participants to build, compete, innovate, and win by tackling hands-on technology challenges. The event focuses on five distinct technology challenge areas: AI & Robotics, AR/VR, Drone Challenge, 3D Printing, and AI-Based Films. Participants will form teams of 2 to 4 members and select a challenge area to develop their solutions. The hackathon emphasizes practical application and problem-solving, requiring teams to demonstrate working and meaningful solutions. Judging criteria for the submissions will include innovation, relevance to the problem, technical implementation, functionality, and real-world impact. The hackathon offers a total prize pool of ₹50,000 in cash, with one winner receiving the full amount. The event is scheduled to take place from October 23-25, 2026, at the Tripura Vasini Palace Grounds in Bengaluru. This hackathon provides an opportunity for participants to apply their skills in a competitive environment, collaborate with peers, and showcase their innovative solutions to real-world problems. It aims to foster technological advancement and creativity among the next generation of innovators.

What to build

Participants must choose one of five challenge areas to build a solution: 1. AI & Robotics: Build an intelligent robotic system or AI-based solution that can sense, understand, decide, and act to solve a real-world problem. This includes four robotics challenges: Line Follower, Maize Challenge, 7 Stones, and Robot Football, or one of three broader AI & Robotics innovation challenges. 2. AR/VR: Create an immersive AR/VR experience that solves a real-world problem or introduces a new way to learn, interact, or experience something. 3. Drone Challenge: Test drone skills through two rounds: picking and placing a 1-5 kg payload, and navigating an obstacle course with precision and control. 4. 3D Printing: Design and 3D-print a functional solution to a given engineering problem. 5. AI-Based Films: Create an original 3–7 minute short film using AI meaningfully across storytelling, visuals, animation, sound, or post-production.

Prizes

Key dates

• Hackathon start (EDT)October 23, 2026 @ 7:30am
• Deadline (IST)October 23, 2026 @ 5:00pm
• Event End DateOctober 25, 2026

Eligibility

Participants must be above the legal age of majority in their country of residence. All countries/territories are eligible, excluding standard exceptions.

How to enter

1. Join the hackathon through Devpost.
2. Form a team of 2 to 4 members.
3. Choose one of the five technology challenges.
4. Build your solution in person at the event.
5. Submit your project by the deadline.

Submission requirements

• Team size: 2 to 4 members.
• Participants must be above the legal age of majority in their country of residence.
• Participants must build a working and meaningful solution based on one of the selected problem statements.

Judging criteria

• Innovation
• Problem relevance
• Technical implementation
• Functionality
• Real-world impact
• Demonstration of a working and meaningful solution

Sponsors & partners

Resources

• Official Website