Initializing_Aithon_Core
“Writing the Next Chapter of India’s History with AI”
Official Partner
CUKCS-AITHON 2026 is the strategic prelude to the AI Impact Summit. Hosted by Dept of Computer Science in association with IEEE Computer Society , CUK, it is a National-Level 24-Hour Hackathon designed to advance the frontiers of AI.
Preliminary Abstract Submission for merit selection.
24-hour non-stop marathon at the Central University of Karnataka.
// The neural evaluation is complete. Phase 2 protocols initiated.
Official invitations have been dispatched to Team Leads. Check your registered email (including Spam/Promotions) for Phase 2 instructions.
Additional slots may open based on confirmations.
Waitlisted teams will be notified after January 17th.
The ₹50,000 prize pool includes cash awards, internships, and mentorships for top-performing teams.
Cash prize, internships, and mentorship opportunities.
Premium Gift Hampers and formal certificate of achievement.
CDAC
Prakash Pimpale is a senior AI professional and Joint Director at C-DAC Mumbai, with over 18 years of expertise in Natural Language Processing, machine learning, and text analytics. He has led impactful projects in areas such as AI-powered content moderation, healthcare, agriculture, and Indian language machine translation. Holding an MTech from BITS Pilani, Prakash is deeply involved in the AI community—often judging hackathons and speaking at summits—and advocates for responsible innovation and building practical, socially beneficial technology.
Microsoft
Syed Mohammad Ali is a Senior Data and Applied Scientist at Microsoft, contributing to the Microsoft Cloud Planning, Centre of Excellence. He specializes in building forecasting models that apply advanced machine learning and statistical techniques to predict cloud service demand. Previously, he worked at Amazon and Tiger Analytics, improving customer experiences through deep learning solutions, and also served as a Teaching Assistant at IIIT Bhubaneswar. A strong advocate for education, Syed frequently delivers keynotes and conducts workshops on machine learning, AI, and career development, reflecting his commitment to innovation and continuous learning.
Confluent
Yeshwanth L M is a Solutions Engineer/Architect specializing in cloud data and AI platforms, currently at Confluent. With a strong background at Databricks and DXC Technology, he architects real-time data streaming solutions using Kafka, Flink, and Databricks across AWS and Azure. An AWS Community Builder and certified AWS Solutions Architect Professional, he is recognized for driving high-value POCs and automating deployments. Beyond his technical role, Yeshwanth leads as Chairman of IEEE Bangalore Young Professionals, speaks at tech events, and was honored with the IEEE Region 10 Outstanding Young Professional Award in 2023.
ISRO
Amit Singh is a Scientist SG at ISRO with 17 years of experience in satellite mission operations and design. He holds a PhD in AI applications for space missions from IIIT Allahabad. Currently, he serves as an Operation Director at ISTRAC, managing key missions like Chandrayaan-3 and pioneering AI-driven mission planning.
Hackathon Strategist & Technical Mentor
A seasoned hackathon winner, mentor, and evaluator, Surrvesh has guided over 1,000 students and mentored 20+ teams across major national-level competitions. With strong expertise i...// Expert in AI, Cybersecurity & Pitch Strategy
Central University of Karnataka
IEEE
The hackathon is open to all undergraduate (B.Tech/B.E.) and postgraduate students currently enrolled in recognized institutions. Students from all branches of Engineering, Technology, and Science are encouraged to join.
Teams must consist of 2 to 4 members. One member must be designated as the Team Lead. Inter-institutional teams are permitted and highly encouraged.
Participants must submit a Abstract in strictly PDF format, limited to a maximum of 200-300 words only . Refer the official instructions provided in the mission directives.
Round 1 (Online Screening) is FREE. However, teams shortlisted for the Round 2 Offline Finale at CUK must pay a registration fee: ₹800 for IEEE members and ₹1,000 for non-IEEE members.
Solutions must align with one of the six pillars: Human Capital, Inclusion for Social Impact, Safe and Trusted AI, Resilience, Innovation and Efficiency, or Science.