Overview: PlayHack is a nationwide student hackathon focused on using technology, innovation, and problem-solving to build impactful solutions for real-world challenges. The event provides participants with an opportunity to transform ideas into functional, technology-driven prototypes while competing with students from across the country. PlayHack will feature two dedicated tracks, allowing participants to choose the area that best aligns with their interests and technical expertise: 1.
Software Development Track: This track focuses on building robust, scalable, and user-centric software solutions. Participants can leverage technologies such as web development, mobile development, backend systems, cloud technologies, APIs, databases, and other software engineering tools to solve the given problem statements. 2.
Machine Learning Track: This track focuses on developing data-driven and intelligent solutions using Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, and related technologies. Participants are encouraged to develop ML-powered systems that address the given problem statements and demonstrate practical impact. Participants can compete individually or as a team of up to four members. Teams may be formed across colleges, branches, specializations, and academic backgrounds, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration and diverse approaches to problem-solving. The hackathon will follow a multi-stage selection and development process. Participants/teams will first submit their proposed approach and initial solution for evaluation. Shortlisted participants/teams will then proceed to the development phase, where they will refine their ideas and build a functional prototype. Finalists will demonstrate their solutions and present their approach to a panel of judges.
Eligibility: Open to college/university students from across India.
Team Size: Participants may compete individually or in teams of 1–4 members, with a maximum team size of 4 members.
Tracks: Participants must select one of the two tracks: Software Development or Machine Learning.
Inter-college Teams: Allowed.
Inter-branch/Inter-specialization Teams: Allowed.
Problem Statements: Problem statements will be provided separately for each track. All submissions must be made within the deadlines announced by the organisers. Each team must designate one member as the primary point of contact with the organisers.
Rules: Each participant can participate in only one entry/team. Participants may compete individually or in teams of up to 4 members. Teams may include participants from different colleges, branches, specializations, or academic backgrounds. A participant/team can participate in both tracks. All submitted work must be original and developed by the participating participant/team. Use of publicly available APIs, libraries, frameworks, datasets, and open-source tools is permitted, subject to their respective licenses. Participants/teams must disclose major external resources, APIs, datasets, libraries, or pre-trained models used in their solution. Plagiarism or submission of substantially copied work will result in disqualification. Participants/teams must comply with all submission deadlines and presentation requirements communicated by the organisers. The decision of the judging panel will be final.
Evaluation Criteria: Solutions will be evaluated based on: Innovation and originality Understanding of the problem statement Technical implementation Feasibility and practicality Scalability Potential impact Quality and functionality of the prototype Effective use of technology Presentation and demonstration
Round Format: Round 1 – Ideation &
Initial Submission: Participants/teams will submit their proposed approach and initial implementation for their selected problem statement. Submissions will be evaluated based on the stated judging criteria, and selected participants/teams will advance to the final round. Round 2 – Development &
Final Presentation: Shortlisted participants/teams will further develop and refine their solutions into functional prototypes. They will present and demonstrate their solutions before the judging panel. The final winners will be selected based on their overall performance and evaluation across the prescribed criteria.