Qiskit Fall Fest

Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME, hosted by the Mukesh Patel School of Technology Management and Engineering (MPSTME), NMIMS Mumbai, brings together students and quantum computing enthusiasts to explore, learn, and build with quantum technologies.

Organised in association with IBM Quantum, Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME is designed to introduce participants to the rapidly evolving world of quantum computing while giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to practical problems and innovative ideas.

About the Event

Quantum computing is no longer limited to theoretical physics and research papers. With frameworks such as Qiskit, developers and researchers can experiment with quantum circuits, algorithms, simulations, and hybrid quantum-classical systems.

At Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME, participants will explore different areas of the quantum computing ecosystem, including:

• Quantum Computing Fundamentals
• Quantum Algorithms
• Quantum Machine Learning (QML)
• Quantum Neural Networks (QNNs)
• Quantum Optimisation
• Quantum Simulation
• Hybrid Quantum-Classical Computing
• Applications of Quantum Computing across different domains

The event is open to beginners as well as experienced quantum enthusiasts.

Learning & Keynote Sessions — 24th October

The event will include dedicated teaching and learning sessions, helping participants understand the fundamentals of quantum computing and get started with Qiskit.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend keynote sessions by professionals, offering insights into the quantum computing industry, current developments, research, applications, and the future of the field.

Whether you're new to quantum computing or already exploring the field, these sessions will help participants build the foundation required to take their ideas further.

Quantum Hackathon – Problem Statements

As part of Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME, organized by the Department of Information Technology, MPSTME, in collaboration with CSI @ MPSTME, participants are invited to explore quantum computing through an exciting Hybrid Quantum Hackathon.

The hackathon welcomes beginners as well as experienced quantum enthusiasts. Participants can select one of the suggested problem statements below or propose their own innovative problem statement.

Quantum Games

Create an interactive game or application based on quantum concepts such as superposition, interference, entanglement, and measurement. Participants may develop quantum versions of coin tosses, dice, puzzles, or other games.

Quantum Secure Communication

Implement a simulation of any Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol. Introduce an eavesdropper into the communication channel and demonstrate how interception can be detected.

Quantum Maze / Search Solver

Develop a quantum-based solution for a small maze, search, or constraint-solving problem. Explore how quantum search concepts can be used to identify a valid or optimal solution.

Quantum Circuit Optimizer

Develop a method to optimize a quantum circuit by reducing its number of gates, circuit depth, or other computational resources while maintaining the intended functionality of the circuit.

Quantum Error Detective

Investigate how noise affects quantum computation. Execute quantum circuits under different noise conditions, analyse the results, and explore techniques for improving the reliability of quantum computations.

Build a Quantum Learning App

Create an interactive application, visualization, game, or educational tool that helps users understand concepts such as qubits, superposition, measurement, interference, entanglement, quantum gates, or quantum circuits.

Quantum-Enhanced Cybersecurity

Develop a quantum or quantum-classical hybrid solution for a cybersecurity problem such as intrusion detection, anomaly detection, secure communication, cryptographic analysis, network security, or threat detection.

Quantum Optimization for Smart Cities

Identify an optimization problem related to traffic management, transportation, scheduling, resource allocation, logistics, infrastructure, or smart-city operations.

Formulate the problem using an appropriate quantum optimization model and develop a quantum or hybrid solution using Qiskit.

Quantum Machine Learning Challenge

Develop a Quantum Machine Learning (QML) solution for a classification, clustering, anomaly-detection, or prediction problem.

Participants are encouraged to compare their quantum or hybrid model with an appropriate classical machine-learning baseline.

Quantum and Post-Quantum Security

Develop a prototype or proof of concept demonstrating how quantum communication, Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), or hybrid security mechanisms could contribute to next-generation secure communication systems.

Quantum Finance Challenge

Explore the application of quantum computing to a financial problem such as portfolio optimization, risk analysis, financial modelling, fraud detection, asset allocation, or decision optimization.

Develop and evaluate a quantum or quantum-classical hybrid approach.

Quantum Computing for Sustainability

Apply quantum computing to a sustainability-related challenge such as energy optimization, renewable-energy allocation, logistics, supply-chain optimization, waste management, resource utilization, or environmental modelling.

Noise-Aware Quantum Computing

Investigate the effect of realistic quantum hardware noise on a quantum algorithm.

Develop techniques involving circuit optimization, transpilation, noise modelling, error suppression, or error mitigation, and evaluate their impact on the quality of the results.

Quantum for Social Good

Identify a meaningful problem in areas such as healthcare, education, accessibility, disaster management, public services, agriculture, transportation, or community development and develop a quantum or quantum-classical hybrid proof of concept.

Have your own quantum idea? Go for it!

Teams are welcome to identify and propose their own problem statement beyond the suggested hackathon themes.

The proposed project should:

• Address a clearly defined problem or challenge.
• Demonstrate a meaningful application of quantum computing.
• Use Qiskit as a significant part of the implementation.
• Clearly explain why a quantum or quantum-classical approach is being explored.
• Include a working prototype, simulation, experiment, or proof of concept.
• Present and analyse the results obtained.
• Clearly communicate the potential impact and future scope of the solution.

Participants choosing the Open Innovation category are encouraged to explore creative applications of quantum computing across any domain.

General Hackathon Expectations

Teams should aim to demonstrate:

• Problem Understanding – Clear definition and motivation for the selected problem.
• Quantum Approach – Appropriate use of quantum computing concepts or algorithms.
• Qiskit Implementation – Meaningful implementation using Qiskit.
• Working Prototype – A demonstrable circuit, program, simulation, application, or proof of concept.
• Results & Analysis – Interpretation and evaluation of the obtained results.
• Innovation – Creativity and originality of the proposed solution.
• Presentation – Clear explanation and demonstration of the project.

Competition Structure

Due to the overwhelming response to Qiskit Fall Fest @MPSTME, the competition will be conducted in two separate stages.

Stage 1: Project & Presentation Submission

Topic Reveal — 12th September

The official competition topics/tracks will be revealed on 12th September.

Participants will then have a dedicated period to develop and prepare their projects.

Submission Deadline — 12th October

All Stage 1 submissions must be completed by 12th October.

A GitHub repository will be compulsory for every project submission.

Projects submitted during Stage 1 will undergo evaluation, following which selected teams/projects will progress to the next stage of the competition.

Finalists Announcement — 17th–18th October

The finalists for the second stage of the competition will be announced by 17th–18th October.

Stage 2: Hybrid Judging — 25th October

The second stage will consist of a hybrid judging session on 25th October, combining both online and offline evaluation.

Finalists will have the opportunity to present and demonstrate their work as part of the evaluation process.

Prizes

The best projects will be recognised with the following prizes:

• 1st Place — up to ₹10,000
• 2nd Place — up to ₹5,000
• 3rd Place — up to ₹3,000

The prize pool is subject to change based on the final event budget.

Important Dates

Date

Event

12th September

Topic Reveal

12th October

Stage 1 Submission Deadline

17th–18th October

Finalists Announcement

24th October

Teaching & Keynote Sessions

25th October

Stage 2 — Hybrid Judging

Who Can Participate?

The hackathon is open to both beginners and experienced participants.

Whether you're interested in quantum algorithms, QML, QNNs, quantum simulation, optimisation, cybersecurity, sustainability, finance, or simply want to take your first step into quantum computing, Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME is your opportunity to learn, experiment, build, and explore the possibilities of quantum technology.

Learn. Build. Experiment. Innovate with Qiskit at Qiskit Fall Fest 2026 @ MPSTME!

For more information and regular updates, visit our official website:

qiskitfallfestmpstme.in

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