The Contata NCR Hackathon 2026 runs across three rounds — Round 1: Synopsis, Round 2: (Hackathon) Build, and Round 3: Spotlight (Presentation and Panel Interview). Together, these three rounds make up the full Hackathon journey.
Eligibility
Who can participate?
This hackathon is open to students who are 2025 & 2026 pass-outs, or going to pass out in 2027, subject to the full eligibility rules published on the main event page.
Can students from any college/location participate?
No. Participation is limited to students from colleges located within Delhi NCR — specifically Delhi, Noida, Greater Noida, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Gurugram.
What streams are eligible?
Only students from B.Tech, B.E., and MCA streams are eligible.
Can I participate as an individual, or do I need a team?
This is a solo hackathon — team participation is not allowed. You register and submit individually.
I don't fall in the 2025–2027 pass-out range. Can I still apply?
No. Eligibility is strictly limited to 2025, 2026, and 2027 pass-outs, with no exceptions.
Registration
What information do I need to register?
To register, you'll need to provide: full name, phone number, email address, college roll number / ID, and college name. Your college must be located within an eligible Delhi NCR location — see the Eligibility section above for the full list of eligible cities.
Round 1 — Synopsis
What is the Synopsis round?
It is the first evaluation round. You submit a synopsis — text-based information describing your understanding of the challenge, proposed solution, data, architecture, AI approach, expected impact, and risks. This is an online form which you access once you register for the Hackathon.
Is the synopsis a full technical design document?
No. It should be concise and focused, though it does include a short section on your technical approach. Evaluators want to understand your thinking and whether your approach is feasible — not a complete design spec.
How will the synopsis be evaluated?
It will be evaluated on problem understanding, proposed technical approach, AI judgment, feasibility, expected impact, risk awareness, innovation, and communication. Shortlisting for the next step — Round 2 (Build Submission) — is based on this evaluation.
Round 2 — Code Submission
What must I submit?
Submit your source code through your registered GitHub repository, along with supporting documents such as a README, setup instructions, tests, assumptions, AI-tool disclosure, and known limitations.
Do I need to upload a ZIP file?
No. Your final repository commit is captured automatically via the registered GitHub URL. The same repository is also used to retrieve any other required documents.
Can I use AI coding tools?
Yes, AI coding tools may be used as per the event's Responsible use of AI tools policy. Refer to the Terms & Conditions link in the website footer for detailed guidelines and restrictions.
Can I use any programming language or framework?
Yes, within the supported tech stack. See the Tech Stack section on the main event page for the current list of supported languages, databases, and frameworks.
Are there code-size limits?
Yes. The maximum source code size is 10,000 lines of code (LOC), and other limits on file count and execution time apply as published. These limits exist to ensure fair and secure evaluation; staying within them does not by itself affect your score.
What if I face a technical issue close to the submission deadline?
Contact the event helpdesk immediately, before the deadline passes — do not wait until after. Extensions are granted at the organizers' discretion only and are not guaranteed.
Can I switch my problem statement after Round 1?
No. Once you are shortlisted for Round 2 (Code Submission), your problem statement is locked and cannot be changed. Please note that there is only one problem statement defined for this Hackathon.
Round 3 — Spotlight (Panel Interview)
What is the Spotlight round?
Spotlight is the final evaluation round, held after Round 2 (Code Submission). It is an in-person panel interview where shortlisted candidates present and discuss their submitted solution with a panel of judges. The winner is declared based on this round.
Who is invited to the Spotlight round?
Only candidates shortlisted after Round 2 (Code Submission) are invited to Spotlight.
Is the Spotlight round online or in person?
Spotlight is conducted in person at our Noida location. Address and other details will be provided to eligible candidates in time.
When and how will I get the details for my Spotlight interview?
Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the schedule, venue, and other logistics after Round 2 results are announced. They will be given a minimum of 3 days' notice to make themselves available.
How should I prepare for the Spotlight Phase?
The session includes a presentation of your Hackathon solution followed by a technical discussion with the panel. Be ready to:
- Explain your solution clearly: problem, approach, architecture, and key decisions.
- Deliver a short, focused presentation with a working demo, if applicable.
- Answer technical questions on your code, tech choices, trade-offs, and challenges.
- Describe your individual contribution and possible improvements to the solution.
- Arrive on time with your laptop and demo tested in advance.
What should I bring or prepare for the Spotlight round?
Bring a valid government-provided photo ID, college-provided ID/certificate (actual or provisional), and be ready to present and discuss your submitted solution live. You may also bring additional items — laptop, printed documents, resume, etc. — to support your submission.
What if I can't travel to the venue for my Spotlight interview?
Since Spotlight is an in-person round, candidates are expected to attend at the venue.
How is the winner decided?
The winner is declared based on your performance in the Spotlight panel interview along with your performance in the previous rounds, as well as how you present and defend your solution before the panel.
Evaluation and Hiring
Is the most innovative idea guaranteed to win?
No. Winners are selected using the published criteria, with functional correctness and engineering quality carrying substantial weight. Parameters and their weightages are shared on the website once registration is complete and you're inside the logged-in pages.
Does a good presentation compensate for non-working code?
No. Your solution must meet the mandatory functional and technical gates — a good presentation alone is not sufficient.
Will AI-generated code be penalized?
Responsible, disclosed AI use is permitted. You remain responsible for the correctness, security, and originality of your code. See the Terms & Conditions for full rules on plagiarism and licensing.
What happens to my code after I submit it?
Your repository is accessed by organizers solely for evaluation and will not be made public without your consent. IP ownership terms are covered in the Terms & Conditions.
Does participating guarantee a job?
No. Strong performers may be invited to technical interviews or considered for relevant roles, subject to fitment and the organization's normal hiring process.
Support and Logistics
Where can I find the event dates, prizes, and other details?
All dates, format, prizes, and the tech stack are published on the main event page — please refer there for the latest information.
Do I need prior professional or AI experience to participate?
No prior professional AI experience is required. The hackathon is open to eligible final-year students and recent graduates as described in the Eligibility section — enthusiasm to learn and build matters most.
How do I get help during the event?
Support will be available via email at hackathon@contata.com, from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM IST daily, starting from the registration date through the end of the event — covering all three rounds; dates given on the event's public page. Queries can be submitted at any time of day or night; any query received after 9:00 PM will be responded to the following day during support hours.
How and when will results be announced? Will I receive a certificate?
The results announcement date is given on the website's public page. All participants who take part in the Spotlight panel interview round will receive a certificate of participation. Winners — Grand Prize, 1st Runner-Up, 2nd Runner-Up, and Consolation Prize winners — will instead receive a prize certificate along with their prize, as detailed on the main event page.
