Hack Into PCell v2.0

HACK INTO PCELL v2.0 (Build. Break. Solve.) is a multi-stage technical challenge combining campus exploration, digital puzzles, system investigation, and problem-solving.

Teams start with an ESP32-based treasure hunt, discovering checkpoints and cracking clues to progress. The top teams advance to SYSTEM//BREAK, an offline terminal-based challenge where participants investigate a simulated environment, analyze issues, and solve technical challenges via the command line.

Eligibility & Team Guidelines:

• Team Size: Max 3 members per team, 2 members min per team.
• Participation: Open to both Intra-College and Inter-College students.
• Inter-College Teams: Allowed.
• Inter-Specialization Teams: Allowed (subject to the institutional cap of maximum 2 teams per class).
• Class Limit: A maximum of 2 teams are permitted from each class.
• First Year (FE) Category: Evaluated separately through Level 1; does not proceed to Level 2. A dedicated FE Winner is selected directly from Level 1 performance.
• External Participants: 2 external team slots are reserved for Level 2. An orientation video covering the college layout will be shared one week prior.
• Registration Fee: ₹200 per team.

Competition Format & Rounds:

• Level 1: ESP32 Treasure Hunt
• Date: 29th October 2026
• Venue: Room 305 & designated areas (3rd floor and below)
• Duration: 1 hour
• Number of Checkpoints / Problem Statements: Up to 15 physical ESP32 Wi-Fi checkpoints; 15 flag submissions required.
• Description: Teams locate physical ESP32 Wi-Fi checkpoints across campus, solve the associated puzzles/challenges, and submit flags on the event portal.
• Allowed Resources: Smartphones with Wi-Fi capability/Wi-Fi analyser apps, search engines, AI tools, and the internet are allowed.
• Advancement: The top 10 regular teams qualify for Level 2.
• Level 2: SYSTEM//BREAK
• Date: 30th October 2026
• Venue: Room 312
• Environment: Controlled, offline terminal-based environment with no internet access.
• Focus Areas: Basic Linux commands, system analysis, file hierarchies, logs, processes, network information, permissions, and logical dependencies.
• Allowed Resources: A generic SYSTEM//BREAK reference manual will be provided beforehand. Strictly NO internet, NO AI tools, NO search engines, and NO external assistance.

Evaluation & Scoring Policy:

• Level 1: Ranked primarily by the number of successful flag submissions. Recorded flag completion/submission time serves as the tiebreaker.
• Level 2: Ranked by the number of challenges successfully resolved within the offline terminal environment. Time taken serves as the tiebreaker to determine 1st and 2nd place.

Rules & Disqualification Criteria:

• Team Collaboration: Collaboration is strictly limited to registered members of your own team during active rounds.
• Fair Play: Any cheating, sabotage, network tampering, unauthorized system access, or sharing information across teams results in immediate disqualification.

Disqualification Triggers:

• Cheating or unauthorized external assistance.
• Unauthorized system, network, or restricted physical area access.
• Tampering with event infrastructure, checkpoints, or equipment.
• Manipulating submission timestamps or exploiting unintended platform bugs.
• Unsportsmanlike, disruptive, or unsafe behaviour.
• Unauthorized team-member substitutions.

Authority: Decisions made by Project Cell organizers and officials are final and binding in all matters.