Apr 08: C3iHub, the technology innovation hub of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, has announced the Grand Finale of HACK IITK 2026, scheduled to take place on April 9–10, 2026, at the IIT Kanpur campus. Conceptualized by a distinguished group of researchers, engineers, and faculty members, the hackathon has evolved into a global platform fostering innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship in the cybersecurity domain.
The 2026 edition focuses on Critical Infrastructure Security, covering key areas such as Network Security, Cryptography, Hardware Security, IoT and AI Security, Digital Forensics, and Cybercrime Prevention. A key highlight of this year’s event is the use of in-house secure hackathon platform “C3iHub Arena,” which enables participants to seamlessly manage registration, participate in live Capture the Flag (CTF) challenges, and submit solutions through a single integrated dashboard.
The journey to the Grand Finale began two months ago and witnessed an overwhelming response, with over 9,000 participants forming more than 1,300 teams. Following a series of rigorous qualification rounds, including MCQ-based assessments, coding challenges, and preliminary CTF events, only the most skilled teams advanced to the final stage.
A total of 48 teams comprising 162 participants have qualified for the Grand Finale, with 24 teams competing in the CTF Track and 24 teams in the Solution Track. While the CTF Track will test participants through real-world cybersecurity challenges, the Solution Track will require teams to present innovative solutions to curated industry problem statements before a distinguished jury academic, industry and government experts.
The Grand Finale will also serve as a platform for collaboration and intellectual exchange, bringing together leaders from government, academia, and industry. Representatives from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Defence will join prominent industry leaders from Zscaler and Adani Cybersecurity for panel discussions and interactive sessions.
The event will feature panel discussions on secure-by-design innovations and the intersection of AI and cybersecurity, along with interactive talk sessions focusing on emerging cyber threats, innovation, and career opportunities. These engagements aim to strengthen collaboration and advance the cybersecurity ecosystem.
Participants will compete for a prize pool exceeding INR 30 Lakhs. In addition to financial rewards, finalists will gain access to Zscaler certification vouchers, industry mentorship, internship opportunities, and pathways for career advancement in the global cybersecurity sector.
The event is supported by several partners, including Zscaler as the Knowledge Partner; SecuredApp, Saptang Labs, Cyethack Solutions, Forensic CyberTech, and Hommi Technovation as Technology Partners; Ideas Matter Most, Association of Indian Universities, as Outreach partners; and CSJMU Kanpur, and AKTU as Educational Partners.
