Build the shield.
A national cybersecurity hackathon at BSides Ahmedabad. Real problems set by CERT-In and DoT, and two days to build solutions that get used.
Venue
BSides Ahmedabad
Team size
2 to 4 members
Entry
Invite Only
Reach
Open across India
Registrations close 23 September at 3:00 pm IST
Presented byTribastion & Protectt.aiBuild for national cyber resilience.
Cyber Kavach turns real cybersecurity problem statements into practical, technically credible solutions while connecting government, industry, researchers, and emerging builders.
Real problem articulation
Work from challenge statements authored by CERT-In and the Department of Telecommunications, not generic hackathon prompts.
Direct ecosystem engagement
Bring builders closer to the institutions, practitioners, and security leaders who understand the problem context.
Deployment-minded outcomes
Reward solutions that can be evaluated beyond the event for feasibility, adoption, incubation, or continued development.
Two tracks. One standard of seriousness.
Categories
Every team picks one track at registration, and the problem statements are grouped accordingly.
Category - 1
Seasoned & Experienced
- -Startups
- -Industry Partners
- -Companies with Tech Solutions
- -Innovators & Researchers
7 Problem Statements
Category - 2
Students & Freshers
- -Graduates
- -Post Graduates
- -Students in doctoral programs
- -Other technical courses
5 Problem Statements
Categories
Every team picks one track at registration, and the problem statements are grouped accordingly.
Category - 1
Seasoned & Experienced
- -Startups
- -Industry Partners
- -Companies with Tech Solutions
- -Innovators & Researchers
7 Problem Statements
Category - 2
Students & Freshers
- -Graduates
- -Post Graduates
- -Students in doctoral programs
- -Other technical courses
5 Problem Statements
Beyond winning: the strongest builds can move into deeper technical evaluation, incubation, ecosystem introductions, and future deployment conversations where appropriate.
Board of the initiative.
Government, community, enterprise, and cybersecurity leadership around one execution-focused mission.
Shri Ashutosh Bahuguna
Scientist 'F' and Director, Assurance and AI Defence Center, CERT-In
Nikhil Shrivastava
Founder, BSides Ahmedabad
Shakti Ghodadra
Founder, PSY9 Security
Shri Suryash Gautam
Additional Director General, Department of Telecommunications
Shiv Kumar Pandey
Group CISO, Adani Group
Judged by practitioners close to the mission.
Dr. Rajarshi Middya
Scientist 'D', CERT-In
Shri Shashank Gupta
Scientist 'D', CERT-In
Shri Mohit Kataria
Scientist 'C', CERT-In
Sparsh Kulsrestha
CPO, PSY9 Security
Problems that matter
Solve a problem that actually matters, set by the people who own it.
A national jury
Present to a jury of national cyber leaders.
Beyond the prize
Incubation for the strongest solutions, and a vetted talent pool the ecosystem can hire from.
Recognition that counts
Recognition and certificates that carry weight.
Free. Open. National.
Free to enter. Open across India.
Awarded in each track, so up to two teams take home the top prize. Beyond the prize, your build goes toward strengthening the nation’s cyber defenses.
₹50,000
Cash prize
per track
₹25,000
Cash prize
per track
₹10,000
Cash prize
per track
All dates are IST. We will email every registered team at each step.
19 Sep
Registration opens
23 Sep
Registration closes, 3:00 PM IST
24 Sep
Shortlisted teams announced and confirmed
24 Sep
Full problem briefs and sample data released to confirmed teams
26 Sep
Event Day 1 — build sprint at BSides Ahmedabad
27 Sep
Event Day 2 — demonstrations, judging, and awards
Teams of two to four. Registrations open 19 September at 12:00 am.
An initiative built for the people who make digital spaces safer. Join the next generation of defenders.