Hack The Winter

Rules and Regulations

Event Details

  • Date: 22nd - 23rd January 2026 (Final Round)
  • Team Size: 4 members (Inter-college allowed)
  • Fees: ₹250 per member
  • Mode: On-site
  • Venue: GEHU Bhimtal Campus
  • Eligibility: UG/PG students across India
Samantha

Stages

Round 1 - Online Prototype Submission

25 Dec ‘25, 12:00 AM IST - 31 Dec ‘25, 11:59 PM IST

Blues
  • Pick any theme from list of domains given on our website (hack.gehubhimtal.in).
  • Build a prototype.
  • Add README.md(s) explaining:
    • A. Flow charts / DFDs / other technical flows (You can have multiple readme files).
    • B. What new things you will add or improve in Round 2 (mandatory).

Instead of PPTs that create vague or subjective evaluations, we’ll use an objective, comparison-based process. Submissions will be reviewed through LLM-based filtering and core team assessment, focusing on originality, efficiency, and plagiarism checks.

Round 2 - System Design Round (Elimination)

9 Jan ‘26, 12:00 AM IST - 11 Jan ‘26, 11:59 PM IST

Your job is to plan how you would build the full solution you stated in last round what parts it needs, how it works, and how it can handle more users.

Your submission should include:

  • A basic system diagram (how the parts connect and talk to each other).
  • How your system will handle growth and avoid failures.
  • What each team member has worked on.
Hatchlings

Upload your GitHub repo with your plan, diagrams, code (if any), and research notes. We’ll evaluate based on clarity, creativity, technical thinking, and teamwork.

Round 3 - Onsite Hackathon (24 Hours)

22 Jan ‘26, 09:00 AM IST - 23 Jan ‘26, 05:00 PM IST

Yeah! It’s really an exciting day. We are really excited to host you in person for an unforgettable 24-hour innovation marathon.

Zach

  • Each shortlisted team will receive a personalized invitation postcard (sent to the team leader’s home address).

  • Please make sure to bring the postcard along with your team when you arrive on campus, it will serve as your official entry pass for the event.

Accommodation, meals, and technical arrangements will be provided to ensure you can focus on building your next big idea!

General Rules:

  • Internet usage is allowed for references, but plagiarism leads to disqualification.
  • A.I. agents usages is prohibited.
  • All work must be original and completed during the hackathon timeframe.
  • Teams must adhere to the provided theme.
  • The decision of the judges will be final and binding.
  • Misconduct, inappropriate behavior, or rule violations will result in disqualification.
  • Teams cannot change members once registration closes.
  • All shortlisted teams must attend the physical hackathon in person.
  • No judgement in UI/UX part, so rather than code we focus on concept, research and basic implementation.
Hatchlings2

Judging Criteria:

To ensure fairness and transparency, project evaluations will take place every 6 - 10 hours throughout the hackathon. Each team’s progress, creativity, and implementation will be continuously assessed and displayed live on the public leaderboard, allowing participants to track their standing in real time.

After the hackathon concludes, a final evaluation will be conducted by three specialized judging panels, each focusing on different domains such as technology, innovation, design, and business impact. These panels will consist of industry experts, professors, and experienced developers who will evaluate every project holistically.

Rainbow

Evaluation Criteria:

Each project will be scored out of 100 points based on the following criteria:

Innovation and Creativity (25%)

Originality of the idea, uniqueness of the approach, and how creatively the problem has been solved. Judges will look for out-of-the-box thinking and new perspectives on existing challenges.

Technical Implementation (25%)

Depth and quality of the technical work — including code quality, architecture, functionality, and the technologies used. Teams should demonstrate solid technical execution and problem-solving skills.

Feasibility and Scalability (20%)

Practicality of the solution and its potential to scale in real-world environments. Judges will assess how realistic the idea is and how easily it could be expanded or deployed.

Design and Usability (15%)

User interface, experience, and overall design clarity. The product should be intuitive, accessible, and visually appealing, offering a seamless experience to users.

Presentation and Impact (15%)

How effectively the team communicates their solution, its potential social or business impact, and the clarity of their final pitch or demo.