C3iHub – a Cybersecurity Technology Innovation Hub at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur – has launched its national-level cybersecurity hackathon ‘HACK IITK 2026’.
Aspiring participants can register through the official hackathon platform: https://hackathon.c3ihub.iitk.ac.in/
The last date for registration is December 12, 2025, according to the IIT Kanpur.
HACK IITK 2026 aims to bring together the brightest minds in cybersecurity – students, entrepreneurs, and young professionals – to innovate and develop solutions addressing real-world cybersecurity challenges.
The hackathon will be conducted in a hybrid format, with the qualification and challenge rounds online and the Grand Finale to be held at IIT Kanpur in February 2026.
This year, HACK IITK 2026 will be hosted on C3iHub’s in-house developed, secure, and smart hackathon platform, C3iHub Arena.
The platform is designed to provide a seamless, scalable, and highly secure environment for participants to compete and collaborate.
The domain of this year’s hackathon is Critical Infrastructure Security, with focused subdomains including: –
Network Security
Cryptography & Secure Communication
Hardware Security
IoT Security
AI Security
Digital Forensics
Automotive Security
Cyber Crime
This year’s edition features two competitive tracks: –
- Capture the Flag (CTF) Track – A high-intensity challenge where participants solve security puzzles and vulnerabilities.
- Solution Track – Teams will tackle problem statements curated by cybersecurity experts and present their innovative solutions during the Grand Finale at IIT Kanpur.
The partners so far for HACK IITK 2026 include – Knowledge Partner: Zscaler; Technology Partners: SecuredApp, Saptang Labs, Cyethack Solutions, Forensic CyberTech, and Hommi Technovation; Outreach Partner: Ideas Matter Most.
Conceptualised by C3iHub researchers, engineers, and IIT Kanpur faculty, HACK IITK has grown into a premier platform promoting innovation, skill development, and entrepreneurship in cybersecurity.
The event will feature a distinguished jury panel of experts from academia, government, and industry who will evaluate participants’ solutions and identify the next generation of cybersecurity innovators.
Prof Somitra Sandhya, Project Director, C3iHub, said, “HACK IITK 2026 reflects our vision to nurture cybersecurity talent in India and foster practical problem-solving skills.”
The event provides a platform for students and young innovators to contribute toward strengthening India’s digital resilience, he added.