National AI Hackathon on CORS 2026
By IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation
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Quick Answer
India's first National AI Hackathon on CORS, GNSS, and NavIC, fostering high-precision, real-world AI solutions for various sectors with a ₹6 lakh+ prize pool.
- Funding amount
- Up to ₹6L
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- 2d — 25 Oct 2026
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
About this competition
The National AI Hackathon on CORS 2026 is a pioneering initiative aimed at leveraging Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and India's indigenous NavIC system, along with advanced drone technologies and geospatial intelligence. Jointly organized by the Survey of India (SoI) and IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation (IITTNiF), a Technology Innovation Hub under DST's NM-ICPS Mission, this hackathon seeks to foster innovation in high-precision, real-world solutions. Participants will engage with government datasets to develop applications that address critical challenges across various sectors. The program is designed to bring together diverse talents, including students, faculty, researchers, startups, and industry professionals, to contribute to India's geospatial and AI ecosystem. It provides a unique platform for interdisciplinary collaboration and the development of impactful solutions.
Eligibility
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Full eligibility criteria — entity type, stage, sector, founder profile and registration requirements — plus your fit for this program. Sign up to view.
Organizers
IIT Tirupati Navavishkar I-Hub Foundation, usually written IITTNiF, is a Section 8 non-profit company based on the IIT Tirupati campus at Yerpedu, in Tirupati District, Andhra Pradesh. It was set up to host the Technology Innovation Hub on Positioning and Precision Technologies,…
Learn morePrizes & Awards
- Amount
- Up to ₹6L
What You Get
Participants will compete for a total prize pool of ₹6 lakhs+, recognizing outstanding solutions and fostering entrepreneurial spirit. Beyond the monetary award, selected teams will gain invaluable hands-on experience by working with real government datasets, providing practical exposure to complex challenges. The hackathon offers national-level exposure and recognition, significantly boosting the profiles of participants and their projects. Furthermore, promising startups and projects may receive potential incubation opportunities at IITTNiF, offering further support and resources for development. Collaboration opportunities with national geospatial agencies are also a key benefit, facilitating partnerships and pathways for implementation.
- Disbursement
- Lump Sum
- Bootstrap friendly
- Yes
Timelines & Process
Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed to ensure eligibility and alignment with the hackathon's focus areas and themes. During the hackathon, participant teams will develop and present their high-precision AI solutions using CORS, GNSS, NavIC, drone technologies, and geospatial intelligence. A panel of experts from the Survey of India, IITTNiF, and other national geospatial agencies will evaluate the submitted solutions based on innovation, technical feasibility, impact potential, and presentation quality. Shortlisted teams will advance through evaluation rounds, culminating in a final presentation or demonstration. The top-performing teams will be awarded prizes from the total prize pool.
Application Process
- 1
Register & Pay Fee
Submit your team and participant details via the Google Form and complete the required registration fee payment.
You - 2
- 3
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How to apply
Four steps from draft to disbursement — one action each.
- 1
Submit on the official portal
Use the official application link and verify all details before final submission.
- 2
Follow up
Reach out 5–7 days after submitting to confirm receipt and ask about the review timeline.
Program templates & documents
Files the program publishes for applicants — download these and apply in the prescribed format.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the total prize money for the hackathon?
A: The hackathon features a total prize pool of ₹6 lakhs+, distributed among the winning teams across different tracks.
Q: Who is eligible to participate in the hackathon?
A: The hackathon is open to a wide range of participants, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD students, faculty members, researchers, startups, and industry professionals.
Q: Is there a registration fee?
A: Yes, there is a non-refundable registration fee. For students, it is ₹700 per team, and for faculty, researchers, startups, and professionals, it is ₹1200 per team (including 18% GST).
Q: What kind of support will participants receive?
A: Participants will get hands-on experience with real government datasets, national-level exposure, potential incubation opportunities at IITTNiF, and chances to collaborate with national geospatial agencies.
Q: What technologies are central to this hackathon?
A: The hackathon focuses on Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS), GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), NavIC, drone technologies, and geospatial intelligence, with an emphasis on AI-driven solutions.
Q: Can international teams participate?
A: The program is primarily focused on the Indian geospatial ecosystem and does not explicitly mention international participation. Given the partners (Survey of India), it is implicitly for Indian participants/teams.
Sources
Data on this page is compiled from official program and provider references.
