The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi is gearing up to host a high-stakes national hackathon focused squarely on the digital threats of the future. In collaboration with cybersecurity think tank CyberPeace, the institute's Entrepreneurship Development Cell (EDC) announced the E-Raksha Hackathon 2026, a marathon 36-hour coding event scheduled from January 16 to 18, 2026.
Forging Solutions for National Digital Security
This intensive event aims to mobilize the brightest student innovators from across India to build practical, deployable solutions against emerging cyber threats. The hackathon will be a core part of BECon'26, IIT Delhi's annual entrepreneurship conclave, and will also act as a pre-summit event for the prestigious India AI Impact Summit 2026.
The thematic focus is critical for India's digital sovereignty: cybersecurity, defence AI, and digital safety. Participants will be challenged to work on cutting-edge problem statements, primarily centered on using agentic AI to secure home Internet of Things (IoT) devices and developing systems for detecting deepfakes. Other key areas include AI and machine learning applications, advanced threat detection, blockchain for security, and secure software development.
Leadership and Strategic Goals
Expressing his enthusiasm for the partnership, Lakshmi Narayan Ramasubramanian, head of the Entrepreneurship Development Cell at IIT Delhi, stated that the collaboration with CyberPeace is geared towards creating scalable solutions for defence-related challenges, ultimately enhancing national security.
Echoing this vision, Major Vineet Kumar, founder of CyberPeace, emphasized the hackathon's broader mission to foster responsible AI, digital trust, and robust cybersecurity through widespread stakeholder engagement. The event is designed not just as a competition but as a platform to cultivate a security-first mindset among the next generation of tech leaders.
Prizes and National Showcase
The stakes are high for participants. The winning teams will not only secure cash prizes totalling Rs 3 lakh but will also earn a coveted spot to showcase their innovations on a national stage. Their solutions will be presented at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for February 10 at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.
This opportunity provides unparalleled visibility and the potential for real-world adoption of their prototypes by industry and government stakeholders.
Context: IIT Delhi's Stellar Placement Momentum
The announcement of the hackathon comes on the heels of impressive placement news from IIT Delhi. As reported in December, students at the institute secured a remarkable 1277 pre-placement offers (PPOs), with over 1,140 students already placed. This year saw a 33 per cent surge in PPOs, exceeding 300 offers.
Furthermore, students received over 35 international offers from organizations in Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, the UAE, and the United Kingdom. Top recruiters on campus included global giants like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, JP Morgan, Qualcomm, and Barclays, among others.
The E-Raksha Hackathon 2026 represents a strategic extension of this culture of excellence, channeling top-tier talent towards solving some of the most pressing security challenges in the digital age.
