Rules & Regulations

1. Eligibility

• Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students across India.
• IEEE membership is optional and not mandatory for participation.
• A team must consist of 2 to 4 members.
• Members from different colleges may form a team.

2. Registration

• Teams must register online before April 25, 2026.
• Registration fee is Rs 1500 per team.
• Slots are allotted strictly on a first-come, first-serve basis.
• Each participant can be part of only one team.
• Incomplete registrations will be rejected without notice.
• All details submitted during registration must be accurate. Misrepresentation will lead to disqualification.

3. Single Round - Grand Finale

• EPOCH '26 is a single-round 24-hour offline hackathon.
• The event will be held on May 1-2, 2026 at Vemana Institute of Technology, Koramangala, Bangalore.
• Hackathon begins at 11:00 AM on May 1 and ends at 11:00 AM on May 2 (24 hours).
• All team members must be physically present throughout the event.
• Late arrivals beyond 30 minutes from the start time may be disqualified at the organiser's discretion.
• Teams must bring their own laptops, chargers, and required hardware.
• Power outlets and Wi-Fi will be provided. Teams must not use mobile hotspots to bypass internet filters.

4. Project & Submission

• Projects must be built during the hackathon duration only. Pre-built projects are strictly prohibited.
• Each domain will have 3 official problem statements, revealed on Day 1.
• Teams must build solutions only for the announced problem statements. Open innovation is not allowed.
• The project must align with one of the three tracks: AI for Social Good, Sustainability Goals, Cybersecurity & Blockchain.
• Use of open-source libraries, APIs, and publicly available datasets is permitted and encouraged.
• Software-only, hardware-only, and hybrid solutions are all allowed.
• Teams may use frameworks, libraries, APIs, and tools, but core logic, implementation, and integration must be developed during the hackathon.
• Teams may bring Arduino boards, sensors, modules, and other basic components, but no pre-built or semi-built hardware models are allowed.
• Basic materials and 3D printed parts are allowed, but core functionality must be built during the event.
• Teams must not plagiarise or copy existing projects. Any such attempt will lead to immediate disqualification.
• Final submission must include a working prototype or demo, source code, and a short presentation.
• Submissions must be made on the platform specified by organisers before the deadline.

5. Code of Conduct

• Participants must maintain respectful and professional behaviour at all times.
• Harassment, discrimination, or unsportsmanlike conduct of any kind will result in immediate disqualification and removal from the venue.
• Participants must not damage venue property. Any damage caused will be the team's responsibility.
• Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, or any illegal substances on premises is strictly prohibited.
• Participants must carry their valid college ID at all times during the event.

6. Judging Criteria

Judging begins at 11:00 AM on May 2 and is based on:

• Each track will be judged independently by a dedicated panel.
• Judges' decisions are final and binding.
• Teams will get 5 minutes to present and 3 minutes for Q&A.

7. Intellectual Property

• Teams retain full ownership of their projects.
• By participating, teams grant EPOCH '26 and Vemana Institute of Technology the right to showcase, photograph, or publish their work for promotional purposes.
• Organisers will not claim commercial rights over any submitted project.

8. Meals & Facilities

• Lunch - 2:00 PM (May 1)
• Snacks - 5:00 PM (May 1)
• Dinner - 8:00 PM (May 1)
• Midnight Jamming Session - 12:00 AM
• Tea & Coffee - 4:00 AM (May 2)
• Breakfast - 8:00 AM (May 2)
• Accommodation is not provided. Participants must arrange their own stay if travelling from outside Bangalore.

9. Prizes

• Total Prize Pool: Rs 3,00,000.
• Rs 1,00,000 per track, split as Rs 50,000 (1st), Rs 30,000 (2nd), and Rs 20,000 (3rd).
• Goodies worth Rs 10,000 for select participants.
• Prizes are non-transferable and will be awarded at the Valedictory Ceremony at 1:00 PM on May 2.
• Tax deductions, if applicable, will be as per Government of India norms.

10. Disqualification

• Submitting pre-built or reused projects
• Submitting plagiarised work or copied implementations
• Solutions not aligned with the official Day 1 problem statements
• Violation of code of conduct
• Misrepresentation of team details
• Tampering with other teams' work or systems
• Using unfair advantage, hidden prework, or unauthorized external help

11. Organisers' Rights

• The organising committee reserves the right to modify, suspend, or cancel the event in case of unforeseen circumstances.
• The organisers' decision on any matter not covered in these rules will be final.
• Participants are bound by these rules upon registration.

Queries

For queries, contact the EPOCH '26 organising committee via the official website or IEEE Student Branch, Vemana Institute of Technology.