Looking to join a hackathon that actually matters for your career in tech? Then the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are where you should be looking in 2025.
From artificial intelligence and robotics to blockchain and sustainable tech, IITs are hosting national-level hackathons that are more than just competitions — they’re launchpads for real innovation, job offers, and visibility.
In this blog, we’ll cover every important detail: upcoming IIT hackathon events, key themes, prize money, participation requirements, and how to apply.
What Are the Best Upcoming IIT Hackathons to Join in 2025?
IITs have become the hub of student innovation, and their annual hackathons are among the most anticipated in the country. These events are open to students across India and feature real-world problems, global mentorship, and serious rewards.
Here are the top IIT hackathons confirmed for 2025:
| Hackathon Name | Host Institution | Mode | Prize Money / Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| CodeBot Hackathon | IIT Bombay | Hybrid | ₹10 lakh+, Mentorship, Internships |
| Hack the Future | IIT Gandhinagar | In-person | ₹5.7 lakh total prize pool |
| Hack N Tech | IIT Patna | Hybrid | TBA (Expected prize pool ₹1–3 lakh) |
| ANNAM.AI Hackathon | IIT Ropar | Remote | ₹50 lakh worth prizes + ~200 internships |
| AI-Agent Hackathon | IIT Mandi | Online | ₹50K in cash prizes |
Upcoming IIT Hackathons in 2025
Each IIT has its own tech fest or innovation wing that organizes national-level hackathons. Some events have already occurred earlier this year, but a few major ones are still upcoming or annual in nature.
🔸 IIT Bombay – CodeBot Hackathon
- Theme: Robotics, Smart Cities, Healthcare, Agriculture
- Finale: July 17, 2025
- Location: ARTgarage, Bengaluru (in-person)
- Note: Organized with ARTPARK (IISc Bengaluru)
🔸 IIT Gandhinagar – Hack the Future
- Date: March 21–23, 2025
- Location: On-campus
- Highlights: Data science + social impact challenges using real Indian datasets
🔸 IIT Patna – Hack N Tech
- Date: May 23–24, 2025
- Format: Hybrid hackathon
- Description: Focused on campus innovation and nationwide outreach
🔸 IIT Ropar – ANNAM.AI Hackathon
- Duration: 8-week virtual internship-style event
- Rewards: 200+ internships + ₹50 lakh funding support
- Use Case: Agriculture-focused AI and machine learning development
🔸 IIT Mandi – AI Agent Hackathon (Xpecto’25)
- Date: March 29–31, 2025
- Focus: Building autonomous agents using Fetch.ai Web3 tech
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Technologies and Themes Covered in IIT Hackathons?
Expect more than just generic coding problems. The hackathons at IITs are built around future-forward technologies. Here’s a breakdown of core themes for 2025:
✅ Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine learning models
- Language models
- AI in healthcare/agriculture
✅ Robotics and Automation
- Sensor integration
- Autonomous navigation
- Edge computing for robotics
✅ Web3 and Blockchain
- Decentralized apps (DApps)
- Smart contracts
- AI x Web3 integration
✅ IoT and Smart Infrastructure
- Smart city simulations
- Smart farming solutions
- IoT + 5G use cases
✅ Social Impact and Sustainability
- Data-driven governance
- Accessibility tools
- Green tech products
How Much Prize Money and Internships Are Offered in IIT Hackathons?
Each IIT hackathon offers its own set of perks — not just in cash, but in future opportunities:
💰 Prize & Internship Breakdown:
- CodeBot Hackathon: ₹10+ lakh + internship placements via ARTPARK & IITB’s incubator
- Hack the Future: ₹5.7 lakh in total cash awards
- ANNAM.AI: Over ₹50 lakh worth of prizes, funding, and job opportunities
- AI-Agent Hackathon: ₹50,000 in cash + NFT certificates
- Hack N Tech: Final prize pool not disclosed, expected in lakhs
What Are the Requirements to Apply for an IIT Hackathon?
While rules may vary slightly from one IIT to another, most hackathons follow this standard eligibility criteria:
Who Can Apply:
- UG/PG students from Indian universities (any year)
- Recent graduates (up to 1 year post-degree)
- Some allow startups or early-stage teams
Required Documents/Info:
- College ID or enrollment proof
- Team name and member details
- Tech stack you’re familiar with
- Solution proposal (for themed hackathons like CodeBot or ANNAM.AI)
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How to Apply and Prepare for IIT Hackathons as a Student or Fresher?
If you’re new to hackathons, here’s how you can join and make the most of the experience.
How to Apply:
- Visit the official hackathon page (or IIT fest website)
- Read the problem statements or themes
- Form a team (usually 2–4 members)
- Submit an idea or project proposal (if required)
- Attend online briefing sessions or workshops
- Participate virtually or in person on event day
Tips to Prepare for Next IIT Hackathon:
- Pick your domain early: AI, blockchain, or sustainability
- Brush up on Git, APIs, and basic backend/frontend dev
- Join past hackathon Discord groups for practice
- Learn from YouTube tutorials or GitHub open-source projects
- Don’t overcomplicate; solve a real-world use case
Can IIT Hackathons Help in Placements or Internships in 2025?
Absolutely. These are not just coding contests; they are talent showcases that often lead to job offers or startup acceleration.
📈 Career Benefits of Participating:
- LinkedIn Proof: Adds real project experience to your resume
- Internship Shortlisting: Institutes like IIT Ropar and Bombay shortlist hackathon participants for paid internships
- Networking: Connect with professors, incubators, and sponsors
- Placement Edge: Demonstrates initiative and team collaboration, which many companies value during hiring
Where to Find Official Registration Links and Alerts for IIT Events?
To avoid missing these opportunities, bookmark or follow:
- 🔗 https://tihiitb.org/codebot-hackathon-2025
- 🔗 https://iieciitgn.com/hackthefuture
- 🔗 https://annam.ai/hackathon
- 🔗 https://reskilll.com/allhacks
You can also:
- Follow IIT clubs and fests on Instagram or LinkedIn
- Join Telegram groups related to tech/hackathons
- Keep an eye on TheNewViews.com — we post updates regularly!
Final Take: Should You Join an IIT Hackathon in 2025?
If you’re serious about tech, startups, or coding careers — yes.
Whether you’re a beginner or already building projects, hackathons hosted by IITs are some of the most rewarding tech events to participate in. You get:
- Real-world problem statements
- National-level visibility
- Internship or job leads
- Practical learning beyond theory
Don’t wait for the perfect idea — pick a challenge, build something meaningful, and hit submit. It might just be your career breakthrough.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Which IIT hackathon is the biggest in 2025?
The CodeBot Hackathon by IIT Bombay, in collaboration with ARTPARK at IISc, is among the biggest, featuring ₹10+ lakh in prizes and national-level AI and robotics themes.
2. Can non-IIT students participate in these hackathons?
Yes, most IIT hackathons are open to all Indian college students, including engineering, tech, and science backgrounds.
3. Is it possible to get internships through IIT hackathons?
Absolutely. Events like ANNAM.AI and CodeBot offer paid internship opportunities to top-performing participants.
4. Do I need to pay to participate in IIT hackathons?
Most hackathons are free to enter. Some may ask for a small refundable deposit or travel expenses if attending in person.
5. Can beginners join IIT hackathons without experience?
Yes, beginners are welcome. Several IITs also offer mentorship and workshops before the event to help newcomers.
6. How can I get notified of upcoming IIT hackathons?
You can follow official IIT fest websites, subscribe to TheNewViews.com, and join relevant Telegram or LinkedIn communities for alerts.
7. What tools or languages should I know before joining?
Knowledge of Git, Python, APIs, basic frontend/backend (HTML/CSS/JS), and cloud platforms like Firebase or AWS can be very helpful.
