Want to build your skills, collaborate with developers, and win exciting prizes? Hackathons are the perfect place to start. But if you’re a beginner, it can feel intimidating. The good news? There are plenty of beginner-friendly hackathons in 2025, including online hackathons with free registration and certificates.
This blog covers the top 10 hackathons for beginners in 2025—ideal for students, freshers, and aspiring coders looking to make their mark.
Why Should Beginners Join a Hackathon?
For students or new developers, hackathons are not just competitions—they’re platforms for growth. You can build a team, brainstorm a product, and bring it to life using your coding, design, or project management skills.
The learning curve may feel steep at first, but here’s why it’s worth it:
- Fast Learning: You learn more in 48 hours than in weeks of passive study.
- Networking: Meet like-minded developers, designers, and mentors.
- Career Boost: Many companies (like Flipkart, JP Morgan, and Google) consider hackathon participation a big plus in hiring interns or full-time employees.
What Makes a Hackathon Beginner-Friendly?
Beginner-focused hackathons typically offer:
- Mentorship sessions and workshops
- Simple problem statements or multiple difficulty levels
- Access to starter kits or sample code
- Free registrations and participation certificates
Some even allow no-code or low-code participation, making them accessible for non-developers interested in product building, marketing, or ideation.
Top 10 Hackathons for Beginners in 2025
Here’s a curated list of some of the best hackathons for beginners in 2025, including online and free options with certificates.
| Hackathon Name | Tentative Dates | Mode | Key Domains |
|---|---|---|---|
| DigiDiva Hackathon | July 2025 | Online | AI, Web, Women in Tech |
| Smart India Hackathon | Aug–Sept 2025 | Offline | Product Innovation, Social Impact |
| Gen AI Exchange Hackathon | September 5, 2025 | Online | Generative AI, LLMs |
| HackToFuture | August 2025 | Online | Python, Web Dev |
| MLH Local Hack Days | All Year | Online | All beginner-friendly tech stacks |
| Space Apps Challenge | September 2025 | Hybrid | Space Tech, Environment |
| HackStasy 2025 | TBA | Online | AI, HealthTech |
| IIT-Ideate Hackathon | Nov 2025 | Hybrid | FinTech, Web3 |
| SheBuilds Hackathon | October 2025 | Online | Women Coders, Social Innovation |
| Troubleshoot Ideathon | August 2025 | Offline | Education, Innovation |
1. DigiDiva Hackathon – Ideal for Female Beginners
DigiDiva Hackathon is one of India’s most beginner-friendly tech events focused on empowering women coders. It provides a safe, inclusive space where female students can team up to work on beginner-level projects in AI, web, or app development.
Workshops, mentorship sessions, and pre-hackathon tutorials make it perfect for first-timers. Plus, you get free registration, official certificates, and a chance to win exciting prizes.
Read More:
2. Smart India Hackathon – National-Scale Exposure
Organized by AICTE and MoE, the Smart India Hackathon (SIH) is a large-scale event that solves real-world problems submitted by government departments and industries.
Even though it has national-level competition, beginners are encouraged through mentorship and domain-wise team division. It’s a great place to gain experience, build your resume, and work on impactful projects. Many teams are made up entirely of college students new to hackathons.
Know More:
Complete Guide to Smart India Hackathon 2025(SIH) for Students
3. Gen AI Exchange Hackathon – For Generative AI Enthusiasts
Launched in 2025, this hackathon focuses on emerging technologies like ChatGPT, LLMs, and generative design. It’s open to beginners who want to explore the future of tech without heavy prerequisites.
Whether you’re into writing AI prompts, building tools, or creating AI-generated designs, this event gives you full freedom and access to resources like APIs and templates.
More Interesting:
Gen Ai Exchange Hackathon 2025: Apply Now & Build Future-Ready AI Projects
4. HackToFuture – Beginner Coding in Python
If you’re learning Python or full-stack basics, HackToFuture provides beginner-centric challenges with full guidance. Most tasks involve solving problems or building simple applications using Python, HTML/CSS, and JavaScript.
With dedicated mentor support and free certificates, it’s one of the best online hackathons for newcomers who want to try their hand at coding competitively.
5. MLH Hackathons – Global Beginner Events All Year
Major League Hacking (MLH) is one of the world’s biggest hackathon organizers. Their events are remote-friendly, beginner-welcoming, and provide swag, certificates, and sponsor prizes.
The best part? They run Local Hack Days, Mini-Hacks, and Global Hack Weeks—many of which are geared toward beginners. You don’t need any prior experience; even the platform walks you through everything.
6. NASA Space Apps Challenge – Tech Meets Real Impact
For those interested in space, environment, or global issues, the Space Apps Challenge is a beginner-friendly international event backed by NASA.
The India edition (like the one in Noida) welcomes college students, freshers, and enthusiasts with challenges based on real datasets. Even if you’re not a hardcore coder, you can contribute as a designer, storyteller, or analyst.
7. HackStasy 2025 – HealthTech and Web3 for Beginners
HackStasy focuses on trending domains like Web3, AI, and HealthTech, but it also includes beginner tracks with guided sessions.
If you’re someone who wants to try building simple blockchain apps or health-related tools, this event offers resources, pre-recorded videos, and project blueprints to help you get started—even if it’s your first time.
8. IIT Ideate Hackathon – Start Simple, Think Big
Organized by premier IITs, this event encourages freshers and first-time coders to ideate around finance, blockchain, machine learning, or even agritech.
What sets it apart is the mentorship from IIT faculty and industry experts. You’ll get feedback, demos, and live sessions that can spark new learning and networking opportunities. Certificates and goodies are usually guaranteed for all participants.
9. SheBuilds Hackathon – Women-Led Innovation
This all-women hackathon supports first-time female participants and non-tech backgrounds. If you’re passionate about social change and digital innovation, SheBuilds allows ideation and coding across multiple tracks like education, health, and environment.
No team? No worries—this event has team matchmaking and beginner-friendly templates to work on.
Learn More, Check:
She Builds AI Hackathon for Women 2025 – Eligibility, Rewards & How to Register
10. Troubleshoot Ideathon – Ideate at Microsoft Office
Unlike traditional coding hackathons, Troubleshoot Ideathon is centered around idea development and presentation. Ideal for beginners who may not be confident with code but have a strong solution mindset.
Held at Microsoft Office, Noida, this event gives students a platform to pitch impactful ideas for societal and educational reform. The final round features expert panels and mentoring, making it a memorable first experience.
How to Choose the Right Hackathon as a Beginner
With so many options available, picking the right one can be overwhelming. Here are a few tips to help you choose:
- Go for team-based events: You’ll learn faster when working in a group.
- Look for certificate & free options: Most student-focused hackathons offer these.
- Check past projects: See if the previous themes align with your interests.
- Use platforms like Devfolio, Unstop, HackerEarth: They regularly list beginner hackathons with filters.
Final Thoughts
Hackathons are one of the fastest, most engaging ways to learn tech, develop real-world skills, and make valuable industry connections. Whether you’re a beginner exploring Python or a student looking for online hackathons in India with certificates, 2025 is packed with opportunities.
Start small, be curious, and don’t worry if you don’t win on your first try. Every hackathon is a step forward in your career journey.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Hackathons
What is a hackathon, and how does it work for beginners?
A hackathon is a timed event where teams build tech solutions. Beginners can join to learn, collaborate, and create projects with support from mentors and peers.
Do I need to know coding to participate in a hackathon?
Not necessarily. Many hackathons welcome non-coders for roles in design, ideation, and presentation.
Do hackathons for beginners offer certificates or prizes?
Yes. Most offer certificates, while some include prizes like cash, internships, or goodies.
Which are some free hackathons with certificates for beginners in India?
Try Smart India Hackathon, Flipkart GRiD, She Builds, and Adobe India Hackathon. All offer free entry and certificates.
How can I prepare for my first hackathon?
Learn basic tools, form a team, study past ideas, and attend pre-hack workshops for guidance.
Is participating in hackathons worth it for beginners?
Absolutely. They build skills, boost confidence, and enhance your resume with real-world experience.
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