CPRI × VED
Engineer solutions for India’s power grid alongside CPRI and MIT Bengaluru.
About the Organizers
Central Power Research Institute
The Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) is an autonomous body under the Ministry of Power, Government of India. Established in 1960, CPRI functions as the national laboratory for the power sector, engaged in applied research, testing, and standardization of electrical equipment and systems. CPRI plays a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and quality of India's power infrastructure.
cpri.inManipal Institute of Technology, Bengaluru
MIT Bengaluru is a premier engineering institution under the Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), a deemed university of eminence. The institution fosters a culture of applied research and innovation, preparing engineers to solve real-world problems across domains including energy, infrastructure, and embedded systems.
VLSI & Embedded Design Club
VED is MIT Bengaluru's student community for VLSI and embedded systems design. It runs hands-on labs, PCB and chip-design workshops, and project sprints that take students from schematic to working hardware - the same systems-level rigor this hackathon's power-grid tracks call for.
IEEE MIT Bengaluru Student Branch
The IEEE MIT Bengaluru Student Branch connects students to the global IEEE community through technical talks, standards-aligned workshops, and competitions spanning power systems, electronics, and computing.
CPRI brings six decades of power-sector expertise. MIT Bengaluru brings engineering talent. VED brings operational depth in VLSI and embedded systems. IEEE brings a global engineering network.
Together, this hackathon is designed to identify and develop engineers capable of solving the real, hard problems in India's evolving power grid. from grid stability and fault detection to renewable integration and smart infrastructure. This is not a case study competition. The problems are real. The stakes are real.
Three tracks.
One grid.
Smart Grid & AI
Develop AI/ML solutions to optimize power distribution, predict grid failures, and enhance energy efficiency for smart cities.
Focus Areas
- Load Forecasting & Analytics
- Anomaly Detection in Grids
- Renewable Energy Integration
IoT in Power Systems
Build embedded systems and IoT prototypes for real-time monitoring of electrical infrastructure and preventing power theft.
Focus Areas
- Sensor Networks for Sub-stations
- Real-time Edge Computing
- Grid Data Security
Sustainable Energy
Design innovative software or hardware solutions focusing on green energy, carbon footprint reduction, and sustainable power generation.
Focus Areas
- Microgrid Management
- EV Charging Optimization
- Carbon Footprint Tracking
Key dates
01
Registration Opens
15 Aug 2026
Teams register on the hackathon portal by creating a team profile and inviting members. Each team selects their preferred challenge track and submits institutional credentials for verification. Registration is open to all eligible undergraduate and postgraduate students from accredited Indian institutions.
02
Shortlist Announced
25 Sep 2026
A review committee comprising CPRI engineers and MIT Bengaluru faculty evaluates all registered teams for technical readiness and domain alignment. Shortlisted teams receive confirmation via email and gain access to preparatory resources, datasets, and mentor contact information on the portal.
03
Day 1 — 10 Oct 2026
10 Oct 2026
Shortlisted teams arrive at the venue for check-in and orientation. CPRI domain experts reveal the official problem statements for each track. Hacking begins immediately after the reveal, with dedicated mentor slots available throughout the day for technical guidance and feasibility review.
04
Day 2 — 11 Oct 2026
11 Oct 2026
Teams present their working solutions to a panel of CPRI scientists, MIT Bengaluru faculty, and industry reviewers. Evaluation covers technical depth, real-world applicability, and quality of engineering. The day concludes with the prize ceremony, where winning teams are recognized and awarded.
Who can participate
Team Size
Minimum
2
members
Maximum
4
members
Eligibility
- Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate program at a recognized Indian university.
- At least one member of the team must be from an engineering or technical discipline.
- All team members must be from the same institution.
Institution Requirements
Open to all AICTE/UGC accredited Indian universities and colleges.
What you'll need to register
- Institutional email address for each member
- College ID number
- GitHub profile (for technical verification)
- A brief 1-page proposal of your intended project
Ready to register? Create your team on the portal.
Hackathon Rules
To ensure a fair and competitive environment, all participants must strictly adhere to the following rules.
Original Work
All code, design, and assets must be created during the hackathon. Pre-existing projects are not allowed.
Team Size
Teams must consist of 2 to 4 members. Solo participation is not permitted.
Submission Deadline
All projects must be submitted via the official portal before the timer reaches zero. Late submissions will not be judged.
Code of Conduct
Treat everyone with respect. Harassment of any kind will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
Frequently Asked Questions
Get in Touch
Contact
For queries related to the CPRI × MIT Bengaluru Hackathon 2026, reach out to the organizing team. Please include your team code if your query is about an existing registration.