Accommodation and Meals: Registration for the techFEST’26 package is compulsory for accommodation and other perks, while participation in individual events is free*.
Note: Registration is mandatory for participation. Fee once paid is non-refundable. We cordially invite you to Neural Nexus, organised as part of techFEST'26 - Annual Technical Festival of SLIET. Showcase your talent, compete with the sharpest minds and earn your moment of glory.
About the Event: Neural Nexus is an AI chatbot-building competition where your creativity meets conversational intelligence. Build an interactive chatbot using Botpress, tackle a real-world challenge, and create a bot that can understand context, handle unexpected situations, and respond intelligently.
Number of rounds: 1 Build Round and Deployment Design and build your chatbot within the given time using the provided challenge and dataset. Deploy the active chatbot live using Botpress Studio preview links. A surprise feature requirement is introduced live to test quick problem-solving abilities. Export your bot and push it to a public GitHub repository.
Scoring and Judging Criteria: Conversation Quality (25%) · Reasoning & Problem-Solving (30%) · Adversarial Query Handling (20%) · Accuracy & Usefulness (15%) · Creativity (10%).
General Rules: All participants must carry a valid college ID card and their techFEST'26 registration receipt. Reporting time will be communicated to registered teams; late reporting may lead to walkover. The decision of the judges and organisers will be final and binding in all matters. Any form of misconduct, plagiarism or use of unfair means leads to immediate disqualification. Participants are responsible for their own equipment and personal belongings. Organisers reserve the right to modify any rule at any time; updates are announced at the venue.
Team size: Solo participation Bots must refuse harmful requests gracefully . Safety is part of the score.
Official Website: https://www.techfest26.com
Eligibility: Anyone who is a student enrolled in a Diploma program is eligible to participate. Anyone who is a student enrolled in an Undergraduate program uptil 2nd year UG are eligible to participate. Participation is open to eligible students irrespective of their branch/discipline, subject to the event registration requirements. Participants must be registered for techFEST'26 through the official portal. Cross-college teams are welcome.
Prizes: Certificates of participation for all registered participants. Top 3 participants will get a winner certificate.
Why You Should Participate: Neural Nexus is more than a competition - it is a platform to test your skills against the brightest minds from institutes across the region, learn from judges and mentors, and build memories that last far beyond the festival. Winners take home cash prizes, trophies and certificates that strengthen their resumes, while every participant leaves with experience, exposure and connections. Whether you are a seasoned competitor or a first-timer, the arena at techFEST'26 welcomes you.
Venue
Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology, Longowal
Sangrur, India
Festival Highlights at techFEST'26: 50+ technical, non-technical, and cultural events across 11 clubs Total prize pool worth Rs 5,00,000+ Grand cultural evening and pro-shows Hands-on workshops, exhibitions and expert guest lectures Early-bird registration packages for participants from all institutes
Accommodation and Meals: Participants opting for the Rs 499 package receive hostel accommodation on campus for the duration of the festival. Accommodation is allotted on a first-come, first-served basis, and meal charges are applicable as per institute norms (approximately Rs 50 per diet). All participants must carry their registration receipts and a valid college ID card at all times while on campus.
Code of Conduct: Maintain discipline and decorum across the campus and all event venues. Indiscipline or misbehaviour with volunteers, organisers or fellow participants leads to disqualification. Consumption of alcohol, tobacco or any intoxicants is strictly prohibited on campus. Participants must not damage institute property; recovery costs may be charged. Organisers reserve the right to remove any participant violating the code of conduct.
Refund and Cancellation Policy: The registration fee once paid is non-refundable under any circumstances. In case an event is cancelled by the organisers, registered participants will be accommodated in an alternative event where feasible.
How to Prepare: Read the event rules above carefully and prepare accordingly. Carry your own stationery, chargers and any personal equipment mentioned in the rules. Reach the venue at least 30 minutes before your reporting time, and follow the official techFEST'26 social media handles for last-minute updates and announcements. How to Reach
SLIET: Sant Longowal Institute of Engineering and Technology is located at Longowal, District Sangrur, Punjab - well connected by road and rail. The nearest railway stations are Dhuri an