The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has officially launched the third edition of the Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon (BAH) 2026. This national initiative aims to directly engage student innovators in contributing to India's burgeoning space-tech ecosystem by crowd-sourcing solutions for some of the nation's most complex astronomical and climate-related challenges.
Eligibility and Team Formation
The Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026 is exclusively open to undergraduate, postgraduate, and PhD research scholars currently enrolled in recognized Indian institutions. Working professionals are not permitted to participate. Teams must consist of three to four members. Cross-college and cross-university collaborations are highly encouraged, allowing students from different institutions to form a single, diverse team.
Critical Space and Climate Challenges
ISRO has presented 15 specific problem statements that span both space exploration and terrestrial resource management. These technical challenges include developing an AI-powered digital twin of India's climate, analyzing Chandrayaan-2 radar data to characterize subsurface ice in the lunar south polar regions for future rover traverse planning, and forecasting solar flares using data from the Aditya-L1 mission.
Other vital problem areas involve identifying exoplanets from noisy light curves and utilizing generative AI for cloud removal in satellite imagery, showcasing the breadth of innovative solutions ISRO seeks.
Key Dates for Participants
- June 10, 2026: Registration and idea submissions opened.
- June 15 & 16, 2026: ISRO will host problem statement explainer sessions to clarify technical scopes.
- July 1, 2026: The registration window officially closes.
- July 20, 2026: Final shortlist of teams will be announced.
- July 21, 2026: Induction session for shortlisted teams.
- August 6-7, 2026: The competition culminates in a 30-hour live grand finale.
How to Apply and Incentives
Participation in the hackathon is entirely free. Teams can apply through the official Hack2skill event portal. During the initial registration phase, participants are not required to build a physical prototype. Instead, they must submit a detailed conceptual solution proposal based on designated templates provided on the platform before the July 1 deadline.
Selected finalists will receive invaluable technical mentorship directly from ISRO scientists and domain experts throughout the development process. Beyond national recognition, participants also stand a chance to be considered for official internship opportunities at ISRO, working on live space projects. For the physical finale, organizers will reimburse II AC travel fares for all shortlisted finalists.