News

GD Goenka University successfully conducted Internal Smart India Hackathon 2026 on 2 September 2026 organized in collaboration with the Innovation Cell, Ministry of Education, AICTE and the Ministry of education, Government of India. Approximately 300 students from all across the universities' schools gathered to work for the cause on one specific goal for developing technologically driven solutions for the issues that concerned everyone.

The Internal Hackathon serves as a preliminary competitive round on the university level towards competing at national Smart India Hackathon one of the biggest open innovation initiative of the world. The competitors present in the Internal Hackathon was evaluated against the SIH criteria, to select the winner candidates that represents GD Goenka University at the national platform.

Inaugural Session

The day was kickstarted at 9 am with reporting of team members followed by registration and id verification of teams. Then the teams started setting up their Laptops and Prototypes at their dedicated stations the first session of the event was kickedstartd at 10 AM with lamp lighting ceremony and Saraswati Vandana in the presence of Patron, Co- Patron, Convenor & Deans of GD Goenka University. The address of the Hon’ble Vice chancellor and Patron of the event Prof. (Dr.) Dinesh Shenoy was remarkable. He emphasized the youth to consider innovation as a life practice, to interact with others openly, to challenge basic assumptions, and to take technology as tool for social reform. The event was supported and encouraged by Prof. (Dr.) Dhirendra Singh Parihar, Registrar, GD Goenka University. Prof. (Dr.) Seema Verma, Convenor & SIH SPOC, School of Engineering & Sciences addressed the gathering by giving welcome speech and outlining the objective of The Internal SIH 2026.

Rigorous, Structured Evaluation

The main highlight of the day, of course, was the Jury Evaluation, the task completed by five concurrent Jury Panels consisting of faculty members representing School of Engineering & Sciences, School of Agricultural Sciences, School of Hospitality and Tourism, School of Law, and School of Healthcare and Allied Sciences. Teams exhibited their work to the panel members in the following domains: Innovation, technical feasibility, real world impact and Presentation quality. One aspect the teams unanimously loved about the jury was the interaction levels. Instead of being restricted to their scoresheets, panel members critically delved into their projects: highlighting shortcomings in their problem formulation.

Post-evaluation, the Scrutiny Committee finalised the panel-wise shortlist and the final merit list.

Recognition and Closing

The Valedictory Session and Felicitation Ceremony consisted of the presentation of certificates to the participant and jury members by The Patron, SPOC and Jury Chairs. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Priya Goyal, Faculty Coordinator and was the finale for the day.

The university applauds all team participants, the esteemed jury, organising team for turning the event into a huge success, to proceed for preparing themselves for the next level under SIH 2026.