Synapse is a flagship, two-round machine learning competition hosted by the Scaler School of Technology in Bangalore. Designed to rigorously test participants' data endurance, feature engineering, and model optimization skills, this event challenges data science enthusiasts to solve complex, real-world datasets under extreme time pressure.
Who Should Apply
This competition is open to college students pursuing any tech or relevant program, data science majors, and AI/ML enthusiasts from anywhere in India. Participants should have basic familiarity with Python, Pandas, Scikit-Learn, and Kaggle submission formats. Teams of 2 or 3 members are required, and cross-campus teams are fully allowed and encouraged.
Tracks & Themes
Participants will test their skills in exploratory data analysis, predictive modeling, and algorithm optimization, tackling complex datasets that demand innovative solutions and robust model architectures.
Format & Timeline
The competition features a rigorous two-round structure:
- Round 1 (Online Qualifier): Held from April 23–25, 2026. Teams will register individually and then form teams of 2 or 3 members. Participants gain access to a private Kaggle competition with a specially curated 3-day qualifier dataset. Models are built and trained remotely, with submissions ranked on a public leaderboard. The Top 25 teams will receive a "Golden Ticket" to advance to the onsite Final Round.
- Round 2 (The 10-Hour Offline Finals): Takes place on May 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM at the Scaler School of Technology, Bangalore. This in-person contest challenges qualifying teams to tackle a massive, complex, and uncleaned dataset revealed live at the venue. The Top 5 teams on the private leaderboard will undergo a rapid 10-minute code audit by the judging panel and deliver a 3-minute pitch on their model architecture. Lunch will be provided on-site.
Prizes
Synapse offers a total cash prize pool of ₹30,000, along with valuable networking opportunities with industry professionals. Prizes are distributed as follows:
- Winner: ₹15,000
- Runner Up: ₹10,000
- Second Runner Up: ₹5,000
Eligibility
Open to college students and AI/ML enthusiasts across India. Teams must consist of 2 to 3 members. Basic proficiency in Python, Pandas, Scikit-Learn, and Kaggle is essential. Participants from different colleges or institutions are welcome to form teams.
How to Apply
Individual registration is mandatory, followed by team formation using registered email IDs. All invited members must accept the team invitation. Participants must join the official WhatsApp group for critical updates and instructions. The private Kaggle link for Round 1 will be shared on April 22, 2026. Registration closes on April 23, 2026.
