New Delhi: More than 600 teams have registered for CyberKushti 2026, a national-level AI and cybersecurity hackathon aimed at identifying and nurturing emerging cybersecurity talent across India. The competition comes at a time when increasingly sophisticated cybersecurity threats and the growing use of artificial intelligence are transforming the digital security landscape.
Organised by the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in collaboration with the National Security Database (NSD) and ISAC Foundation, CyberKushti 2026 will test participants across practical cybersecurity skills, analytical thinking, problem-solving and cyber defence.
The competition is open to students, independent researchers and working professionals. Teams of three will participate in a sequence of progressively challenging cybersecurity rounds. CyberKushti 2026 registrations remain open until September 10, 2026.
The Akhada: CyberKushti 2026 Round 1
The opening round, “The Akhada,” will be conducted online on September 15. The six-hour challenge will focus on identifying false positives, testing participants’ ability to analyse cybersecurity scenarios effectively.
Following this round, the top 50 teams will qualify for the next stage.
The Dangal: Cybersecurity Kill Chain Challenge
The second round, “The Dangal,” is scheduled for September 24 and will also be conducted online. Participants will have eight hours to construct the correct cybersecurity kill chain.
The challenge will test participants’ ability to understand, analyse and respond to simulated cyberattack scenarios. Only the top 10 teams will qualify for the grand finale.
The Kesari: Zero-Day Virtual Patching Finale
The final round, “The Kesari,” will take place in person in New Delhi on October 9 as part of NCCDFI 2026. Finalists will compete in a full-day cybersecurity challenge focused on developing the best virtual patch for zero-day vulnerabilities.
The winners will be announced during the NCCDFI 2026 closing session on October 10.
The winning team will receive the title “Cyber Kesari 2026” and a traditional gada (mace) during the NCCDFI 2026 valedictory session. The second- and third-place teams will receive the titles “Rustam” and “Pahalwan,” respectively.
The competition offers ₹2.5 lakh in total cash prizes, together with certificates, individual scorecards and NSD recognition credits.
Participants will also receive recognition based on their progression through the competition. First-round participants will receive certificates of participation and individual scorecards, while teams advancing beyond Round 1 will also receive National Security Database recognition credits.
The ISAC Foundation will oversee the technical execution of CyberKushti 2026, including the development of technical challenges, competition structure, evaluation framework and constitution of the jury responsible for assessing participating teams.
The organisers are encouraging participation from women and individuals from rural and underserved communities, with a focus on creating broader access to cybersecurity opportunities. Educational institutions, companies, professional networks and cybersecurity communities are being encouraged to share the competition with students, employees and members who may be interested.
With more than 600 teams already registered, CyberKushti 2026 is emerging as a major national platform for demonstrating practical cybersecurity capabilities, competing with peers and gaining recognition in the rapidly evolving field of AI and cyber defence.
Registrations are free and close on September 10, 2026.