Tech-Shodha 2026 started on Friday at Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering with over 360 teams participating. A Google expert said, "Adaptability, continuous learning vital for engineers in AI era." Fifty teams got shortlisted for the 24-hour competition. Students will now use their skills to build practical solutions across many different technology themes.

Tech-Shodha 2026 hackathon attracts over 360 teams; 50 shortlisted for 24-hour competition

Inaugurating Tech-Shodha 2026, a 24-hour national-level hackathon organised by the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) at Vidyavardhaka College of Engineering (VVCE) here on Friday, he urged aspiring engineers to keep pace with emerging technologies and continuously upgrade their skills to meet the changing demands of the industry.

He said hackathons offered students valuable hands-on experience, encouraged teamwork and provided a platform to translate innovative ideas into practical solutions to real-world problems.

The event has attracted over 360 teams, of which 50 have been shortlisted for the competition. These include 20 teams in the hardware category and 30 in the software category, representing various institutions across Karnataka.

The hardware category features nine themes, including robotics and automation, agri-tech, embedded systems, healthcare, Internet of Things (IoT), security and surveillance, disaster management, smart cities and waste management.

The software category covers seven themes, including cybersecurity, automation and intelligent systems, artificial intelligence and machine learning, agri-tech, healthcare and wellness technology, education, and computer vision and image intelligence.

Tech-Shodha 2026 aims to promote innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration and practical problem-solving among engineering students by providing them with a platform to develop technology-driven solutions to contemporary challenges.

VVCE secretary P. Vishwanath, treasurer Shrishaila Ramannavar, vice-principal and dean of academics Shobha Shankar, and ECE Department head Shilpa R. were present.