NextTuring: Blindfolded

NextTuring: Blindfolded, organized by Newton School of Technology, is an ultimate memory and coding challenge designed to test participants' focus, recall, and raw coding ability. This unique competition pushes the boundaries of traditional coding contests by removing access to problem statements during critical coding phases.

Who Should Apply This competition is open to individual participants who are passionate about coding and possess strong problem-solving skills, exceptional memory, and the ability to perform under pressure. It is particularly suited for students and coders looking to challenge their mental fortitude alongside their technical prowess.

Tracks / Themes The challenge focuses on core programming skills, logic building, and efficient execution, with an emphasis on memory and recall.

Format & Timeline The competition unfolds in two main phases:

• Phase 1: Online Qualifier (April 18, 2026): A 3-hour screening round conducted on the Codeforces platform (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM) to select finalists.
• Phase 2: Offline Finals (April 24, 2026): Held at Newton School of Technology in Bengaluru, this phase consists of a 3-step challenge:
  • The Reveal (10 mins): Participants view the problem statement once on screen and must manually note down all details.
  • The Isolation (1 hour): Without laptops, participants write their logic and code on paper. Any device usage leads to immediate disqualification.
  • The Execution (1 hour): Laptops are allowed, but code must be typed from memory as the problem statement remains hidden. Judging criteria include verdict (Accepted/Not Accepted), accuracy (hidden test cases), and submission speed. Allowed languages are C, C++, Java, and Python.

Prizes A total cash prize pool of ₹20,000 will be awarded. The Winner will receive ₹12,000, and the Runner-Up will receive ₹8,000. Finalists will also receive refreshments.

Eligibility The competition is open to individual participants only (team size of 1).

How to Apply Registration closes on April 20, 2026. Participation begins with the online qualifier, followed by the offline finals for selected participants.