Hack for Social Cause 2026: National Hackathon for Youth Under VBYLD | Free Registration, Prizes Up to ₹75,000

Hack for Social Cause (HSC) 2026 is a national-level technology innovation challenge launched under the Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue (VBYLD) 2026. This prestigious program aims to empower Indian youth aged 18 to 29 years to build scalable, technology-driven solutions for social good.

The program bridges the gap between classroom learning and real-world impact. It gives young innovators a powerful platform to gain hands-on experience while contributing to India’s vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

If you are a student passionate about technology, innovation, and nation-building — this challenge is for you.

Why Participate in Hack for Social Cause 2026?

This is not just a hackathon — it is a national movement for youth-driven transformation.

By participating, you will:

Build real-world solutions for actual social problems
Gain hands-on experience in innovation and technology
Work with expert mentors from IIT Bombay and State institutions
Improve your technical, leadership, and teamwork skills
Receive national recognition and awards
Contribute directly to India’s development goals

It is your opportunity to grow professionally, build a strong personality, and make a meaningful contribution to society.

Register in Hack for Social Cause: https://mybharat.gov.in/pages/hack_social

Organizer & National Partners

Hack for Social Cause 2026 is implemented through a powerful national collaboration:

Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports (MoYAS) – National Organizer and Policy Leadership
IIT Bombay – National Knowledge Partner providing technical mentoring and screening
State Nodal Institutions (SNI) – Managing state-level hackathons
Local Institutions (LI) – Conducting college-level hackathons
MY Bharat Portal – Official digital platform for registration and submissions

Program Structure (4-Stage Selection Process)

The competition follows a structured four-stage model from college to national level:

Stage 1: Institutional Hackathon

Each college or university conducts its own internal hackathon.
Only 1 team per institution is nominated.

Stage 2: State-Level Hackathon

Shortlisted teams receive expert mentoring and present before a state jury.
Top 3 teams from each state move forward.

Stage 3: IIT Bombay Screening

One finalist is selected from each State/UT by IIT Bombay experts.
Total 36 national finalists are selected.

Stage 4: National Showcase – New Delhi (January 2026)

The 36 finalists present their solutions on a national stage at VBYLD 2026.
Top 5 teams win national awards.

Themes & Problem Areas

Participants can choose from 8 high-impact national themes or propose solutions aligned with UN SDGs:

Rural Development & Livelihoods
Education & Skill Development
Healthcare & Wellbeing
Governance & Civic Technology
Environment & Sustainability
Digital Inclusion
AI, GIS & Emerging Technologies
Disaster Mitigation & Resilience

State-specific and community-based problems are highly encouraged.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

You are eligible if you meet all these conditions:

Indian Citizen
Age between 18 to 29 years as of 1 September 2025
Currently studying in an AISHE-registered institution
Team of maximum 3 students from the same institution
All members must register individually on MY Bharat Portal
One member must act as Team Lead
Interdisciplinary teams encouraged
At least one female member preferred

Register in Hack for Social Cause: https://mybharat.gov.in/pages/hack_social

What You Need to Submit

Each team must prepare the following:

Problem Statement with beneficiary analysis
Detailed Solution Description
Technology stack and system architecture
Working Prototype (GitHub/GitLab open-source link)
3–5 minute demo video (minimum 720p)
Team details with roles

Step-by-Step Participation Process

Individual Registration (Mandatory)
All team members must register individually on MY Bharat Portal.
Team Registration – Hack for Social Cause Track
Team Lead registers the team under “Hack for Social Cause”.
Institutional Hackathon (Stage I)
Participate in the internal college competition. The winning team receives a Bonafide Certificate.
State-Level Hackathon (Stage II)
Shortlisted teams receive state-level mentoring and evaluation.
IIT Bombay Screening (Stage III)
One team per State/UT selected for the National Showcase.
National Showcase – New Delhi (Stage IV)
Final presentation, exhibitions, jury pitching & award ceremony.

Important Timeline (Tentative)

October 27 – November 5, 2025: Institution onboarding & awareness
October – November 9, 2025: Internal Hackathons
December 15–17, 2025: State-Level Hackathons
December 19–22, 2025: IIT Bombay Screening
January 10–12, 2026: National Showcase in New Delhi

Register in Hack for Social Cause: https://mybharat.gov.in/pages/hack_social

Evaluation Criteria

Teams will be judged on:

Relevance to theme
Technical strength
Functionality of prototype
Creativity and innovation
Social impact
Presentation quality
Team collaboration

Awards & Benefits

Cash Prizes (Top 5 National Winners)

1st Prize – ₹75,000
2nd Prize – ₹50,000
3rd Prize – ₹25,000
4th Prize – ₹15,000
5th Prize – ₹15,000

Additional Benefits

Certificate of Excellence for National Finalists
₹5,000 prototype development grant for 36 finalists
IIT Bombay mentorship
Startup India & incubation linkages
National-level exhibition & media coverage
Networking with policymakers and industry leaders

Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)

All intellectual property remains with the participants
Code must be open-source
Organizers get permission only for academic & promotional display
No ownership transfer to MoYAS or IIT Bombay

Official Registration & Participation Link

Participation Portal: https://mybharat.gov.in/pages/hack_social
Technical Support: https://mybharat.gov.in/support

Hack for Social Cause 2026 is not just about winning prizes — it is about solving real social problems using technology. This is your chance to become a nation-builder, innovator, and young leader of Viksit Bharat 2047.

If you are a student with ideas that can change lives, don’t miss this opportunity.