AI x Cybersecurity Hackathon
ECHELON
A hackathon by ISEA Project phase 3, hosted by ACM NIT Surat
About ECHELON
ECHELON is a premier hackathon sponsored by ISEA Project phase 3 and organized by ACM NIT SURAT. Join us for an exciting journey of innovation, creativity, and collaboration where brilliant minds come together to build the future.
Date & Time
31st Jan 2026 - 1st Feb 2026
Location
SVNIT (Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology), Surat
Organizer
ISEA Project phase 3 x ACM NIT Surat
Ready to Join?
Register now and be part of this incredible experience
THEMES FOR HACKATHON
PRIVACY & SECURITY IN ONLINE SOCIAL MEDIA
Privacy and security are fundamental rights in the digital age. This theme focuses on protecting users' data and identities in online social media platforms. Participants can explore topics like data breaches, privacy policies, and ethical hacking techniques to enhance user security and awareness.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE/MACHINE LEARNING
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing industries and solving complex problems. This theme invites participants to explore AI applications, ethical AI, and machine learning algorithms to build innovative solutions in domains like healthcare, finance, and education.
PROBLEM STATEMENTS
The exact problem statements will be revealed closer to the event. Expect real-world, impact-driven challenges across our hackathon themes.
Problem Statement 1
To be announced. Detailed problem description, data, constraints, and evaluation criteria will be shared before the hackathon begins.
Coming SoonProblem Statement 2
To be announced. Detailed problem description, data, constraints, and evaluation criteria will be shared before the hackathon begins.
Coming SoonProblem Statement 3
To be announced. Detailed problem description, data, constraints, and evaluation criteria will be shared before the hackathon begins.
Coming SoonProblem Statement 4
To be announced. Detailed problem description, data, constraints, and evaluation criteria will be shared before the hackathon begins.
Coming SoonHACKATHON TIMELINE
Mark your calendars! Here's the complete roadmap for ECHELON hackathon events and important dates.
Registration Window
Till Jan 14, 2026
Registration window will be open till Jan 14, 2026.
Registration Window
Till Jan 14, 2026
Registration window will be open till Jan 14, 2026.
Round 1: Online CTF
Jan 17, 2026
4-hour online screening round will be held on Jan 17, 2026.
Round 1: Online CTF
Jan 17, 2026
4-hour online screening round will be held on Jan 17, 2026.
Evaluation & Results
Jan 18 – Jan 19, 2026
Plagiarism check, validation of submissions, and flag verification.
Evaluation & Results
Jan 18 – Jan 19, 2026
Plagiarism check, validation of submissions, and flag verification.
Virtual Round Results
Jan 20, 2026
Results of the virtual round will be announced on Jan 20, 2026.
Virtual Round Results
Jan 20, 2026
Results of the virtual round will be announced on Jan 20, 2026.
Grand Finale Hackathon
Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2026
Offline finals with 24-hour coding and pitching sessions.
Grand Finale Hackathon
Jan 31 – Feb 1, 2026
Offline finals with 24-hour coding and pitching sessions.
Hackathon Rules
Please read and follow these guidelines to ensure a fair and enjoyable hackathon experience for everyone.
Team Formation
Teams must consist of 2-4 members maximum
Cross-college teams are allowed and encouraged
Team registration must be completed before the deadline
All team members must be registered participants
Project Guidelines
Projects must be built from scratch during the hackathon
Use of existing libraries and frameworks is permitted
Open source code is encouraged but not mandatory
Projects must be functional and demonstrable
Time & Submission
Coding period: 24 hours for offline round
Final submission deadline is strictly enforced
Late submissions will not be accepted
Code must be pushed to provided repository
Judging Criteria
Innovation and creativity (30%)
Technical implementation (25%)
Problem-solving approach (25%)
Presentation and demo (20%)
Code of Conduct
Maintain respectful behavior towards all participants
No plagiarism or copying from existing projects
Follow all venue rules and regulations
Report any issues to organizers immediately
Resources & Support
Mentors will be available throughout the event
Internet and basic amenities will be provided
Participants must bring their own laptops
Power outlets and workspace will be allocated
Important Notice
Violation of any rules may result in disqualification. When in doubt, please consult with the organizing team. We're here to help you succeed while maintaining fairness for all participants.
Prize Pool
Compete for amazing prizes and recognition. Total prize pool worth ₹1,00,000+ awaits the most innovative teams.
1st
CHAMPION
₹50,000
2nd
ELITE
₹30,000
3rd
WARRIOR
₹20,000
Additional Rewards
All participants will receive certificates of participation. Special recognition awards for Best Innovation, Best Design, and Best Technical Implementation will also be presented.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Got questions about ECHELON? We've got answers. Find everything you need to know about the hackathon.
Faculty Members
Meet our distinguished faculty members leading this initiative.
Project Chief Investigator
Dr. Sankita J. Patel
Associate Professor, Ph. D.
(O)0261-2201611
sjp[at]coed[dot]svnit[dot]ac[dot]in
Co-Chief Investigator
Dr. Bhavesh N. Gohil
Associate Professor, Ph. D.
(O)0261-2201623
bng[at]coed[dot]svnit[dot]ac[dot]in
Get In Touch
Have questions about ECHELON? Reach out to the ISEA Project phase 3 cell at SVNIT directly.