Opportunity brief
SHAKTI Hackathon
A Durga Puja Special
This Pujo, don't just celebrate the power. Build with it.
Durga Puja is all about Shakti, creativity, energy, and coming together. This festive season, BUBBLESORT brings that spirit into technology with SHAKTI Hackathon, a student-focused challenge to turn real-world problems into meaningful tech solutions.
Eligibility and Teams
- Open to students from computer-related or technology-oriented academic backgrounds - Students in any year of study, as well as passed-out or graduated students, may participate - Teams may have 1 to 3 members - Each participant may join only one team - Team changes after registration require organizer approval
Hackathon Themes
AI-Agentic Solutions
Build AI-powered systems that automate tasks, assist users, manage workflows, or solve real-world problems.
Women's Safety / Blockchain
Build technology solutions focused on women's safety and security. Blockchain-based approaches are welcome where relevant.
Natural Disaster Safety
Create solutions for disaster preparedness, early warning, emergency response, public safety, or disaster management.
Obesity Control and Medical Fitness
Build technology solutions focused on obesity prevention and management, including fitness tracking, health monitoring, progress tracking, and lifestyle management.
Heritage and Culture
Create digital solutions to preserve, explore, promote, or experience cultural heritage.
AR/VR is optional.
Registration
- Registration is free - Registration is through the official Unstop event page - 150+ participants and growing
Timeline and Submissions
Round 1: Idea Submission
27 September 2026, 10:00 AM IST – 21 October 2026, 12:00 PM IST
Submit your project idea as a PPT or PPTX. Your presentation should explain:
Problem → Proposed Solution → Technology → Implementation Approach → Expected Impact
Only submissions received within the round's timeline will be considered for the final round.
Round 2: Final Video Presentation
23 October 2026, 12:00 AM IST – 25 October 2026, 12:01 AM IST
Finalist teams must submit a video presentation of their completed project. The video should cover:
- The problem and proposed solution - Technology used and implementation - Key features and impact
Teams should also demonstrate their working project and explain how it functions. The submitted video will be considered for final evaluation.
Project Rules
- Projects must align with one of the official hackathon themes - Web applications, mobile applications, AI/ML solutions, software platforms, and working prototypes are allowed - AI tools may be used for coding, research, debugging, documentation, brainstorming, and development - APIs, open-source libraries, frameworks, datasets, and other public resources are allowed - Existing or ongoing projects are allowed, but teams must clearly disclose what was built before SHAKTI and what was newly developed or improved for the hackathon - Participants must be able to explain and understand their submissions - Plagiarism, fraudulent submissions, impersonation, or misrepresentation may lead to disqualification
Evaluation
The hackathon is evaluated out of 30 marks:
- PPT / Idea Presentation: 15 marks - Final Project / Video Presentation: 15 marks
Projects may be assessed on:
- Problem understanding - Solution quality - Technical implementation -
Functionality
- Creativity and approach -
Presentation
Teams with female participants will receive extra points during evaluation as part of the Shakti initiative.
Prizes
The top three winning teams will receive:
- 1st place: Swags worth ₹2,500 - 2nd place: Swags worth ₹1,000 - 3rd place: Swags worth ₹500
Top-performing teams will also receive recognition from BUBBLESORT.
Internship Opportunity
Guaranteed internships for the top three teams
The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place teams are guaranteed internship opportunities with BUBBLESORT.
In addition, all Top 10 teams will be invited to interview for internship opportunities. An interview is part of the internship process for Top 10 teams.
Selected interns may receive a performance-based stipend ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹8,000. The stipend will depend on performance and applicable internship terms.
Project Ownership
If your team uses an existing or ongoing project, clearly explain what was developed before the hackathon and what was newly built or improved for SHAKTI.
Pujo Mode: Activated
The pandals will be glowing. The dhak will be playing. The group chats will be chaotic.
Somewhere between "Pujo ashche!" and "bro, where is the PPT?", you might build something awesome.
Come with an idea. Come with your squad. Come with your laptop.
PUJO. CODE. CREATE.
27 SEP → 21 OCT | Round 1: Idea Submission
23 OCT → 25 OCT | Round 2: Final Video Presentation
FREE | Teams of 1–3 | 150+ participants and growing
Choose a problem. Build a solution. Show your Shakti.
ADAPTION COLLABORATION
Adaption is supporting SHAKTI Hackathon with tools and learning opportunities for participants. These offers are provided by Adaption.
Participant credits and Plus access Every registered SHAKTI participant, including current and future registrants, is eligible for $500 in Adaption Platform credits. There is no participant cap and credits do not expire. Participants can claim credits by signing up at https://adaptionlabs.ai/app with the same email address used for SHAKTI registration. Claiming credits includes three months of the Adaption Plus plan, starting when credits are claimed. Adaption will notify participants when their credits are
ready.
Winning team credits and four swag kits
Each member of the winning team will receive an additional $1,000 in Adaption Platform credits, on top of participant credits, after winners are confirmed. Adaption is also providing four kits total: one each for the 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-place teams, plus one for a randomly selected SHAKTI participant who has points.
Technical workshop Adaption will host one online workshop of about 30 minutes, including Q&A, on generating high-quality datasets and building custom models with Adaption. The date and time will be announced after coordination with the technical speaker.
Optional Adaption Open Leaderboard Challenge
SHAKTI participants may compete on the Adaption open leaderboard at https://adaptionlabs.ai/auto-scientist-leaderboard using an Adaption account created with their SHAKTI registration email. A participant who reaches number one in a listed domain before SHAKTI results are announced may qualify for a $200 cash award per domain topped. If a team tops a domain, the award goes to the team and is paid to one member named by the team. Adaption verifies rankings and pays awards directly within 30 days. Leaderboard rules and verification are managed by Adaption; see the leaderboard for details.
Learn more about Adaption at https://adaptionlabs.ai.