Registrations open · Free to enter · Closes 28 June 2026

India's biggest
open hackathon is
here. It's yours.

India Runs by Redrob AI is a 42-day national hackathon with a ₹50 lakh+ prize pool — open to coders, MBAs, designers, content creators, and first-timers alike. No eligibility filter. No registration fee. Any city, any background.

⚙️ Data & AI Challenge — ₹10L💡 Ideathon — ₹30L📱 Social Media Challenge — ₹10L
See all tracks
Zero fee · No degree required · Open to all of India
Total prize pool
₹50L+
Across 3 tracks · 300+ winners
42Days to build
3Tracks
Entry fee
₹0
Free to enter · No hidden costs · Open to all
Open to
DevelopersMBAsDesignersCreatorsStudentsFirst-timers
Registration closes28 June 2026

Overview

Why India Runs
with Redrob AI?

India has 1.4 billion people. Almost none of them have an AI tool built for their reality. Many AI models were built in San Francisco. India deserves its own — an operating system that finally works for the way this country works, hires, learns, and earns. From a final-year student in Indore to a founder in Pune. That's what Redrob AI is.

But it isn't going to be built alone.

India Runs is where it gets built — with you. Builders, thinkers, designers, students, first-timers. If you've ever looked at how India works and thought “this should be different” — this is your arena.

Three tracks

One for builders.
One for thinkers.
One for voices.

Pick where you're strongest. Equal stage, equal momentum — and you can enter more than one.

Track 01
₹10L
The Data & AI Challenge

Build an intelligent candidate discovery system that ranks talent beyond keywords — context, signals, semantic fit. Ship code. Submit a working PoC on GitHub.

AI/ML EngineersData ScientistsLLM Practitioners
Track 02
₹30L
The Ideathon

Pitch a product, a strategy, or a feature that should exist. Choose from AI Systems Architect, AI Growth Strategist, or Everyday AI Innovator. Submit a deck as PDF.

MBAsProduct ThinkersDesignersFirst-timers
Track 03
₹10L
Social Media Challenge

Light up the internet with real stories about AI. Posts, Reels, threads, blogs — any platform, any format. Go viral, get noticed, help build the community.

Content CreatorsStudentsAnyone

Ready to compete?

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Track 01 - The Data & AI ChallengeIntelligent Candidate Discovery
The Data & AI Challenge track visual
AI/ML EngineersData ScientistsDevelopersSearch & Retrieval SpecialistsLLM Practitioners

Overview

Are you ready to redefine the future of talent acquisition?

Recruiters are tasked with finding the perfect fit from oceans of profiles, but traditional keyword filters are simply not cutting it. They miss the hidden gems—the candidates whose true potential, intent, and subtle behavioral signals are lost in the noise.

There has to be a smarter way and this is where we challenge you to build an AI brain for modern hiring. We're looking for intelligent systems that can move beyond surface-level keywords to deeply understand context, predict relevance, and transform massive talent pools into precise, actionable shortlists.

Join us to build the next generation of predictive ranking engines.

Your Mission: The Core Objective

We challenge you to develop a robust, workable Proof of Concept that doesn't just filter, but intelligently ranks candidates.

Your system should act as the ultimate AI recruiter, capable of:

Deep Job Understanding: Interpreting complex, nuanced job descriptions.

Contextual Relevance: Seeing beyond keywords to understand semantic fit.

Signal Integration: Leveraging all data: profile attributes, career metadata, and crucial activity/behavioral signals.

The Output: Delivering a lightning-fast, highly accurate, and expertly ranked shortlist of the best-fit candidates.

No fixed architecture→unleash your innovation→Bring the best of your creativity

Participants will be provided with a structured challenge dataset containing.

Submission Checklist

Show us your brilliance. Your submission must include:

The Code

A well-organized GitHub repository with your complete implementation.

The Blueprint

Clear Documentation or README explaining your methodology, technical choices, and system architecture.

The Results

A ranked output file (in the predefined format) detailing your recommended candidate shortlist.

₹10 Lakhs
Track 02 - IdeathonCreating the Future of AI: An Ideathon Challenge
The Ideathon track visual
Technical BuildersMBA StudentsProduct ThinkersDesignersStudentsFirst-Time ParticipantsGeneral Innovators

What's This All About?

Forget boring plans → This is your chance to draw the roadmap for tomorrow.

This Ideathon is where big ideas meet smart strategy. If you're excited by how powerful AI products get made, how they take off in a fast-moving market like India, and how they can genuinely make daily life better, then this is your moment to shine.

We're looking for every kind of innovator: the tech whiz, the business guru, the product visionary, the thoughtful designer, the eager student, and the seasoned creator. Let's unite to build the fundamental systems for the next-generation India with purpose, knowledge, and fresh ideas.

Choose Your Mission out of the 3 Challenges. Pick the challenge that best fits your expertise and passion:

Challenge 1. The AI Systems Architect: Reimagining Work

Who is this for

The serious tech minds (Developers, Engineers, System Architects).

What to build

Design a groundbreaking, technical AI system. Think fully self-running "agents," super-smart search, complex AI coordination, or intelligent "co-pilots" that dramatically improve how work gets done.

Challenge 2. The AI Growth Strategist: Making AI Go Viral

Who is this for

The business drivers (MBAs, Product Managers, Growth Experts, Marketers).

What to build

Figure out the secret to making a revolutionary AI platform which will explode in the market. Redesign the entire user experience from the first click to becoming a loyal fan by focusing on trust, clever ways to make money and viral sharing.

Challenge 3. The Everyday AI Innovator: Life, Made Better

Who is this for

The fresh thinkers (Students, Creators, First-Timers—Anyone with a great idea).

What to build

Design one simple, AI-powered feature or experience that doesn't just exist, but clearly and truly enriches the everyday rhythm of life in India.

What You Need to Submit

Your proposal should be a complete package that tells your story:

The Pitch Deck

Your organized and compelling story, submitted as a PDF.

Your Target

Clearly state which one of the 3 Problem Statements you are tackling.

The Core Solution

A detailed breakdown of your AI-native idea—what it is and how it works.

The User Journey

A step-by-step map showing exactly how a user interacts with your solution.

Visuals

Optional mockups, wireframes, or other visuals that illustrate your solution.

₹30 Lakhs

Who is this for

No credentials required.
Just the drive to build.

Engineers & Developers
Build intelligent systems that work at India scale.
MBAs & Strategists
Problem Statement 2 was built for product and growth thinkers.
Designers & Creators
UX, storytelling, interface thinking — core skills, not optional ones.
Students
Engineering, commerce, arts, management. If you're curious, you qualify.
First-Timers
Never done a hackathon? Problem Statement 3 was designed for you.
Anyone, Any City
From Indore to Imphal. Any stream, any background, any experience level.

Ready to compete?

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₹50 Lakh+Prize pool

Track 1

The Data & AI Challenge

₹10 Lakhs

GrandChampion

₹2 Lakhs

1 Winner

EliteBuilders

₹5 Lakhs

5 Winners

Special TechAwards

₹2 Lakhs

50+ (flexible) Winners

StrongPerformers

₹1 Lakh

10 Winners

EliteBuilders

₹5 Lakhs

5 Winners

GrandChampion

₹2 Lakhs

1 Winner

Special TechAwards

₹2 Lakhs

50+ (flexible) Winners

StrongPerformers

₹1 Lakh

10 Winners

Track 2

The Ideathon

₹30 Lakhs

Recognition

₹1 Lakh

50+ Winners

EmergingInnovators

₹1.5 Lakhs

15 Winners

TrackChampion

₹2 Lakhs

1 Winner

RunnerUps

₹2 Lakhs

2 Winners

MeritWinners

₹2 Lakhs

5 Winners

PromisingIdeas

₹1.5 Lakhs

30 Winners

TrackChampion

₹2 Lakhs

1 Winner

RunnerUps

₹2 Lakhs

2 Winners

MeritWinners

₹2 Lakhs

5 Winners

EmergingInnovators

₹1.5 Lakhs

15 Winners

PromisingIdeas

₹1.5 Lakhs

30 Winners

Recognition

₹1 Lakh

50+ Winners

Track 3

Social Media Challenge

₹10 Lakhs

GrandWinners

₹1 Lakh

5 Winners

StarCreators

₹1.5 Lakhs

20 Winners

High EngagementWinners

₹2 Lakhs

50 Winners

CommunityWinners

₹2 Lakhs

100 Winners

Participation RewardWinners

₹1.5 Lakhs

200 Winners

RecognitionPool

₹1.5 Lakhs

150+ Winners

SurpriseDrops

₹50 K

Flexible Winners

High EngagementWinners

₹2 Lakhs

50 Winners

CommunityWinners

₹2 Lakhs

100 Winners

StarCreators

₹1.5 Lakhs

20 Winners

Participation RewardWinners

₹1.5 Lakhs

200 Winners

RecognitionPool

₹1.5 Lakhs

150+ Winners

GrandWinners

₹1 Lakh

5 Winners

SurpriseDrops

₹50 K

Flexible Winners

How it works

Simple, open and fair.

Register, pick your track, and start building.

  1. 1

    Register for free

    Sign up at no cost. No registration fee, no eligibility filters.

  2. 2

    Pick your track

    Choose one of the three tracks (you can also choose multiple tracks). Within the Ideathon track, pick the problem statement that fits you and start building.

  3. 3

    Build for 42 days

    Access datasets, resources, and mentorship. Work on your own schedule, in your own way.

  4. 4

    Submit your project

    As per your selected track, there is a submission checklist. View more details in the track section.

  5. 5

    Win, get noticed and get hired

    Top participants take home cash prizes, get featured on the Redrob platform, and earn a direct line to the team building India's next AI products. The strongest submissions may be considered for collaboration or integration into Redrob's roadmap — with credit, with consent, and with a clear path back to the participant.

Free to enter & Open to all.India Runs on what you build next.

Ready to compete?

See all tracks

Timeline

42 days to
shape next India.

  1. 19 May 2026Registrations open · Track 1 submissions begin
  2. 24 May 2026Track 3 — Social Media submissions begin
  3. 29 May 2026Introductory session
  4. 3 June 2026Track 2 — Ideathon submissions begin
  5. 28 June 2026Social Media track closes
  6. 28 June 2026Registrations close · Track 1 submissions close
  7. 2 July 2026Track 2 — Ideathon closes
  8. 3 July 2026Evaluation phase (Track 1 & 2) begins
  9. 8 July 2026Social Media challenge shortlist announcement
  10. 16 July 2026Evaluation phase (Track 1 & 2) closes
  11. 22 July 2026🏆 Grand Finale (Virtual)

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

  • Q1What is Redrob?

    Redrob is India's AI Operating System — the first AI super app built ground-up for the way India works. Not ChatGPT translated, not LinkedIn with a copilot bolted on. Chat, resume building, job matching across 15M+ live jobs, interview prep, hiring intelligence, an AI app store — one OS, one login.

    The ambition: 10–20 million Indians using Redrob every month by December 2026. The AI super app is powering India's professional life by 2028.

    India Runs is part of how we build it and the best participants get a direct line to the team shipping it.

  • Q2Is there a registration fee?

    No. India Runs is completely free to enter. Register on Redrob, pick your track, and start building.

  • Q3Can I participate as a team or solo?

    For Track 1 (Data & AI Challenge) and Track 2 (Ideathon), participants can either participate solo or form teams of up to 4 members.

    Track 3 (Social Media Challenge) is strictly an individual participation track.

  • Q4I have never participated in a hackathon before. Is this really for me?

    Yes — and that is not a footnote, it is the point. Ideathon Problem Statement 3 was designed specifically for first-time participants. No technical background required. Just an idea worth sharing.

  • Q5Who are the judges?

    Judges are drawn from Redrob's leadership team, AI researchers, founders from India's top product companies, and senior engineers from Redrob's partner ecosystem.

  • Q6Can I participate in multiple tracks?

    Yes. Any registered INDIA RUNS participant is eligible to participate in all three tracks.

  • Q7What language can I submit in?

    English is preferred for written submissions, but we welcome Hinglish explanations, Hindi methodology notes, and regional language context where it adds clarity. Do not let language be a barrier.

  • Q8Will my submission or idea be used by Redrob?

    Your submission may be used by Redrob based on the judges' evaluation, and full credit will be given to you wherever it appears. The strongest submissions may also be considered for collaboration, or integration into Redrob's roadmap.

Register Now for Free

Your arena is ready.

Join the official Hack2skill registration — get track guides, dataset access links, and submission checklists when you sign up.

Zero registration fee, ever.
Remote-first. Work from anywhere in India.
Top submissions reviewed for Redrob collaboration.
Grand Finale virtual — 22 July 2026.