The Great Indian Hackathon 2026 (GIH 2026), hosted by Sahrdaya College of Engineering and Technology (SCET), Kerala, is set to provide aspiring developers with an opportunity to learn, innovate, and build real-world Android applications. Designed especially for students and beginners, the initiative follows its guiding philosophy, “Your First Hackathon Is Here! We Teach Coding Before You Hack.”

Unlike conventional hackathons that primarily cater to participants with established programming skills, GIH 2026 adopts a structured, learning-first approach. The initiative aims to make technology innovation more accessible by helping participants develop the knowledge and confidence required to turn their ideas into functional applications.

Learning Before Innovation

The hackathon focuses on Android application development using Kotlin and Jetpack Compose, modern technologies used to develop Android applications. Participants will have access to a structured pre-hackathon learning experience designed to familiarise them with essential development tools and workflows.

The programme includes a five-day online technical internship, with two hours of engagement per day, covering areas such as Android Studio setup, Jetpack Compose fundamentals, application navigation, user interface design, and the use of Gemini in Android Studio. Participants will also receive access to online learning resources and a MOOC course, enabling them to strengthen their understanding before beginning their projects.

Industry-oriented keynote sessions and developer interactions will further expose participants to practical development experiences, current technology trends, and professional expectations.

A 24-Hour Challenge to Build Real Applications

The central component of GIH 2026 is an intensive 24-hour online hackathon in which participants will apply their learning to develop Android applications. The challenge is intended to encourage creativity, problem-solving, independent thinking, and practical software development.

Participants will work on problem statements provided during the hackathon or explore open-innovation opportunities, as specified by the organisers. Projects will be assessed on factors such as innovation, user interface and experience, technical implementation, effective use of modern Android development tools, and overall usability and impact.

The fully online format allows eligible participants to take part from their own locations, provided they have a laptop, a stable internet connection, and the ability to participate in the required preparatory activities. The programme is open to beginners and does not require extensive prior coding experience.

Recognition, Rewards and Career Opportunities

GIH 2026 seeks to recognise participants not only for their final projects but also for their learning achievements and technical progress. Participants can earn a hackathon participation certificate, an internship certificate upon completing the internship requirements, a MOOC course certificate, and digital skill badges for completing designated learning tasks.

Selected winners will receive winner certificates and electronic gadgets as prizes. High-performing participants may also have opportunities to pursue paid technology internships with stipends or serve as paid mentors in future editions, subject to selection and the applicable programme conditions.

The event also provides opportunities for participants to interact with developers, strengthen their portfolios, gain practical experience, and demonstrate their capabilities beyond conventional classroom learning.

Bridging Education and Industry

Through GIH 2026, Sahrdaya College of Engineering and Technology seeks to promote experiential learning and strengthen the connection between academic education and technology-driven careers. The initiative reflects the growing importance of practical software development, continuous learning, and the ability to translate technical knowledge into useful digital products.

By integrating training, mentorship, project development, and evaluation into a single learning journey, the hackathon encourages students to approach coding as a means of solving real problems rather than simply as a theoretical subject.

The initiative also supports a more inclusive technology ecosystem in which learners from different educational backgrounds can explore application development, build their first projects, and discover opportunities in the software industry.

Participation and Further Information

The Great Indian Hackathon 2026 is conducted entirely online. Interested participants can find the programme details, available registration options, eligibility requirements, and updates through the official website:

Website: https://www.greatindianhackathon.in/

Registration: https://konfhub.com/gih2026

With its emphasis on guided learning, practical implementation, and beginner-friendly participation, GIH 2026 aims to encourage the next generation of developers to move beyond learning to code and begin building technology that makes a difference.