Turn a real problem into
something India notices.
Smart India Hackathon is the country's biggest open-innovation movement — ministries, PSUs and companies post problems they genuinely need solved, and student teams build them. This is where a Kumaraguru team finds the right one and gets ready to win.
Open to every year & branch · Teams of 6 · No experience needed to begin.
The big picture
What is the Smart India Hackathon?
A nationwide initiative by the Ministry of Education's Innovation Cell & AICTE. Since 2017 it has grown into one of the world's largest hackathons — students solve real, named problems from government and industry.
Real problems
Ministries, PSUs & companies post challenges they actually need solved — not textbook exercises.
Teams of 6
One leader + five members, at least one woman, ideally from different branches. 1–2 mentors optional.
Two editions
A 36-hour Software edition and a multi-day Hardware edition — build a working solution, then pitch it.
National finale
The strongest teams present to expert judges at the Grand Finale, with cash prizes and real recognition.
How you get there
From idea to Grand Finale
Every national finalist starts exactly where you are now.
Pick a problem
Match a challenge to your team's skills and rank your choices.
Build your case
Explain your idea, do the groundwork, upload your solution.
Internal selection
KCT reviewers shortlist the strongest teams to nominate.
National finale
Represent Kumaraguru at the Smart India Hackathon.
This year's data
The skills most in demand
Across all 226 problems — so you can see where your team already has an edge.
18 themes
Find your field
From agriculture to space tech — there's a problem for every kind of mind.
Who's asking
30 organisations posted problems
You could be building for one of these this year.
Why it's worth your semester
What you actually get out of it
Cash prizes
National-level awards for winning teams.
Startup & incubation
Winning ideas often become funded ventures.
Resume & placements
"SIH finalist" is a line recruiters stop on.
A real product
Something a ministry or company genuinely wants.
The room
Present to real experts and industry, and get their feedback.
National network
Meet the best student builders from across India.
Your idea could go national.
It starts with one account and two minutes. Let's find the problem that fits you.