InduX 5.0 Hackathon – Innovate for Industry, Build for Bharat

Vikrant University, Gwalior, in association with the Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI) and Senselive Technologies, organized Stage 3 of InduX 5.0 – the 24-hour National Hackathon on 28th and 29th October 2025, where some of the best young innovators, coders, designers, and tech-savvy young people from all over the country gathered together to work on one dream: to develop solutions that will impact the future of technology and society.

Day 1: Inauguration and the Spark of Innovation

With energy and excitement, the hackathon began. The opening session included Dr Rajesh Chhabra as the Chief Guest. He spoke to the participants about innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving while promoting the idea that technology is more than just code; it is transforming and enhancing life.

There were over 400 students from 40+ institutions across India, with groups from IIT Mandi, ABV-IIITM Gwalior, MITS Gwalior, Ramdeobaba University Nagpur, Sanjeevani University Maharashtra, RN Patel Institute of Technology Surat, ISPM BSIOTR Pune, P P Savani University Surat, and many more.

Participants collaborated in teams to begin brainstorming and designing solutions to real-world problems spanning a variety of sectors, including healthcare, sustainability, automation, agriculture, AI, and smart infrastructure. The campus buzzed with creativity as students began to open their laptops, fill whiteboards, and began to think with no limits.

The 24-Hour Challenge: Coding, Collaboration & Commitment

With the countdown going, participants were fully engaged in serious research, coding, prototyping, and teamwork. Sleepless hours, coffee cups, bug fixing, and collaboration occupied the next 24 hours. Along the way, mentors and technical support assisted the participants at various intervals, helping them mould ideas to make projects impactful and feasible.

What is unique about InduX 5.0, however, is not just the competition but the spirit of peer learning, resilience, creativity, and leadership.

Evaluation and Jury Feedback: Where Ideas Meet Innovation

After 24 hours of continuous innovation, teams presented their ideas, projects, and products before a jury comprised of members from the business and academic sectors. The jury rated the 52 projects in terms of innovation value, technical feasibility, market relevance, and originality, along with presentation quality.

Jury members represented or worked for organisations such as Mondelez International, JK Tyre & Industries Ltd., Godrej Group, Crompton Greaves, SRF Limited, Simplifying Skills, and academic institutions, including ABV-IIITM Gwalior. Their input helped students understand industry demands, helped elaborate ideas, and provided students with opportunities to think on a broader and practical level.

Valedictory Ceremony and Results: Celebrating Excellence

The event concluded with an uplifting valedictory ceremony featuring Dr Ashok K. Mittal, Retd Professor from IIT Kanpur, who urged students to strike a balance between innovation, social consciousness, and national development.  

Winners were announced for the following prizes:   

• First Prize (INR 1,00,000) went to InnoCrew and Ampere Squad
• Second Prize (INR 75,000) was given to Codesoft and The NextGen Automators
• Third Prize (INR 50,000) went to EcoData Coders and ChaturGo

To recognise the efforts of all the finalist teams, every team which reached the Stage 3 Final Presentations held at the CFI was awarded the Chancellor’s Prize of INR 5,000.

Conclusion: Innovation Beyond the Competition

The InduX 5.0 was not just a hackathon; it was a journey of creativity, determination, and collaboration. It reflects Vikrant University's serious commitment to cultivating a culture of innovation, research, leadership, entrepreneurship, and growth through sustainable technology.

Even though the event has ended, the ideas, collaboration, and inspiration will stay with us for years and will shape our future innovation and personal contributions.