Overview
Pune, August 2026: Pimpri Chinchwad University (PCU) successfully concluded the Smart India Internal Hackathon (SIH) 2026 on 20 and 21 August 2026, providing an exciting platform for students to demonstrate innovation, technical expertise, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
The internal hackathon witnessed an overwhelming response, with 242 team entries received from across the University. Following a detailed scrutiny and verification process, 139 teams were shortlisted for further evaluation. After an intensive Jury evaluation, 45 teams were selected, while 5 teams were placed on the Waiting List, taking the total number of teams identified for the further SIH 2026 process to 50.
The event reflected PCU’s commitment to fostering an innovation-driven and problem-solving culture among students, encouraging them to develop technology-enabled solutions for real-world challenges.
Expert Guidance and Industry Interaction
The hackathon was enriched by expert sessions and guidance from distinguished professionals.
Mr. Tushir Malik, Vice President, ACCOPS & Global Delivery & Technology Leader, shared valuable industry insights and interacted with participating students, encouraging them to approach technological challenges with creativity, adaptability, and an innovation-oriented mindset.
Mr. Kondekar, Former Director, IIIT Jabalpur, also engaged with the students and shared his experience and perspectives on technology, innovation, and problem-solving.
The presence and encouragement of Hon. Trustee Shri Narendra Landge Saheb added significance to the event and motivated the participating students.
Strengthening Student Innovation
The two-day hackathon provided students with an opportunity to work collaboratively, refine their ideas, apply technical knowledge, and develop solutions within a competitive environment. The event also helped students strengthen essential skills such as critical thinking, communication, teamwork, creativity, and practical problem-solving.
The initiative was conducted with the constant support, guidance, and encouragement of Dr. Girish Desai, Executive Director, PCET, and Dr. Santosh Sonawane, Vice Chancellor, Pimpri Chinchwad University.
The University also expressed its gratitude to Registrar Dr. Anil Maheshwari, Dean Academics Dr. Sachin Pawar, Heads of Departments, Jury Members, faculty members, coordinators, student volunteers, and everyone involved in the successful execution of the hackathon.
The successful completion of SIH 2026 marks another significant step towards strengthening PCU’s culture of innovation, entrepreneurship, technology, and experiential learning.
Congratulating all the participating teams, the University extended its best wishes to the 50 shortlisted teams as they progress to the next stage of the SIH 2026 journey.
Think • Innovate • Build • Inspire.
