ECHELON 2K26: AI × Cybersecurity Hackathon

About the Opportunity: ECHELON 2K26 is a national-level, offline hackathon hosted at the SVNIT campus, bringing together some of the brightest undergraduate minds from across India. Participants will: Compete in a 24-hour on-campus hackathon Solve industry-relevant problem statements Participate in an online Capture The Flag (CTF) cybersecurity round Collaborate, innovate, and build real solutions under time constraints What makes ECHELON special? Zero registration fee Food & accommodation provided Premium student kit & merch Prize pool exceeding ₹1,00,000 Participation certificates for all This hackathon is designed to be accessible, competitive, and impactful, whether you're an AI enthusiast, a cybersecurity explorer, or a hardcore problem-solver. Themes/Problem Statements: Participants will work on 4 carefully curated problem statements, broadly focused on: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Machine Learning (ML) Cybersecurity AI × Security Applications Eligibility and Registration: Who can participate? Undergraduate college students Students from any discipline with an interest in tech Teams from across India (National-Level Hackathon) Postgraduate students are not eligible. Registration Details: Registration is completely FREE. Registrations are done only through the official ECHELON website. Shortlisted teams will receive further instructions via official communication channels. Competition Structure: Online CTF Round (Preliminary): Capture The Flag (CTF) based cybersecurity challenge. The platform of conduction will be the official ISEA portal. Rules of conduct will be shared soon. Offline Hackathon (Final Round): 24-hour on-campus hackathon at SVNIT, Surat. Shortlisted teams will work on assigned problem statements. Mentorship, evaluation, and final presentations on-site. Rewards and Prizes: Total Prize Pool: ₹1,00,000+ 1st Prize: ₹50,000 2nd Prize: ₹30,000 3rd Prize: ₹20,000 Additional Benefits: Participation certificates for: All CTF participants All hackathon participants Free food & accommodation for the entire 24 hours Student Kit (free of cost) including: Official ECHELON T-shirt Stickers & swags Notepad & pen Paper bag Exclusive merch