Kolhapur to Host Smart India Hackathon Grand Finale: The 36-Hour Coding Challenge for Engineering Titans!

Kolhapur (Tech News): Get ready for the ultimate engineering showdown! The Grand Finale of Smart India Hackathon 2025 (SIH-25), one of the world’s largest innovation challenges, is set to take place at KIT College of Engineering (Empowered Autonomous), Kolhapur, on December 8 and 9, 2025.

Organized jointly by the Ministry of Education’s Innovation Cell and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), this event is a massive opportunity for students to prove their Problem-Solving and Innovation mettle on a national stage.¹

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The 36-Hour Marathon

KIT has been chosen as a Nodal Centre for the third consecutive year, solidifying its position as a key hub for tech innovation in Maharashtra.

• Participation: A total of 28 teams (168 contestants, including 61 female students) from 11 states will participate in the grueling 36-hour, non-stop coding marathon.
• The Challenge: The teams will tackle six critical problem statements provided by the Ministry of Agriculture. These challenges are focused on leveraging digital and technical solutions to boost the agricultural sector, including:
  • Developing AI Simulators to predict the impact of palm oil tariffs on farmers.
  • Creating Risk Management Platforms for oilseed farmers to navigate price fluctuations.
  • Designing Digital Support Systems offering advice, insurance, and micro-credit for oil palm cultivators.
• The Reward: The winning team for each of the six problem statements will receive a handsome cash prize of ₹1.50 Lakh from the Government of India.²

Networking and Industry Connect

The Hackathon serves as a crucial bridge between academia and industry. The event is being held in collaboration with corporate giants like SBI Foundation, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Persistent, and Quad.

• Inauguration & Valedictory: The event will be inaugurated by Dr. Chandrashekhar Biradar (Founder, Global Green Growth) and Shri. Prasanna Doijad (Delivery Head, Nelsoft). The Valedictory function will be graced by Shri. Sandeep Joshi (Vice President, Human Resources, Tata Auto-Comp System Ltd.).
• Special Highlight: A major highlight for the competing engineers will be the direct interaction with Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing, an opportunity considered highly motivational for young innovators.

KIT Director, Dr. Mohan Vanarotti, and Chief Organizer, Prof. Ajay Kapse, confirmed that a team of 100 faculty and 110 student volunteers is fully prepared to ensure world-class facilities for all contestants. The event encourages engineering students to translate their innovative ideas into impactful, scalable solutions for national development.