Pillar 01
Ideate & Disrupt
Translate pressing civic, national, and industry challenges into novel software concepts across our 6 national challenge tracks.
Official Event Handbook & Brief
About
The premier national-level hackathon hosted by Chandigarh University and organized by the Department of CSE, Nalanda. Explore complete rules, problem tracks, 2-day timeline, and evaluation specs.
30—31 October 2026 D8 Venue, Chandigarh University, Mohali 2-Day Hybrid / Overnight Final 3—5 Builders per Squad
Event StructureThree Phases from
Three Phases from
Idea to Podium.
A structured engineering pipeline designed to evaluate architectural rigor, practical development speed, and live demo polish.
Phase 01Online Screening
Abstract & Idea Submission
Phase 1: Online Abstract & ArchitectureTeams register on Unstop and submit a detailed problem statement abstract, proposed software architecture, technology stack, and feasibility analysis across any of the 6 official tracks.
Team Size: 3 to 5 student members
Free online registration on Unstop (500Rs per team only if shortlisted)
Evaluation based on novelty, technical viability, and domain relevance
Shortlisted teams qualify for the Grand Offline Finale
Phase 02Mentorship & Sprint
36-Hour Campus Hackathon
30 October 2026 (Day 01)Shortlisted finalist squads arrive at Chandigarh University, Mohali. After verification at D8 venue and the official opening keynote, the 36-hour sprint commences with overnight hacking in campus computer facilities.
Registration & verification at D8 Venue (Team Leader only at desk with College IDs)
Carry laptop, charger & extension boards; decent attire (formals for ceremonies)
500Rs one-time fee per team if shortlisted (not per member)
Official keynote and track kickoff at 11:00 AM
Hacking flag-off at 12:00 PM (30 Oct)
Round 1 Mentor Check-in at 20:00 PM for directional feedback
Phase 03Grand Finale
Jury Pitching & Award Ceremony
31 October 2026 (Day 02)Final software build wraps up by 12:00 PM. Teams deploy live applications and pitch in-person to an industry panel. The ceremony culminates in the announcement of podium champions and trophy distribution.
Final code freeze and submission at 12:00 PM sharp
Live jury prototype evaluation from 14:00 PM to 16:30 PM
Grand felicitation ceremony and podium awards at 17:00 PM
Networking with faculty leaders, sponsors, and peer builders
Problem StatementsSix National Challenge
View detailed track guide Six National Challenge
Domains for 4.0.
Track
Smart & Sustainable Cities
Build tools for better city services, traffic, waste, air quality, public safety, or disaster response.
IoTMapsAICivic apps
The 4 Pillars of 4.0Ideate, Build,
Ideate, Build,
Validate, and Present.
The 4 defining stages of Zinnovatio 4.0: translating bold concepts into scalable code, industry-validated architectures, and high-impact live presentations.
Pillar 02
Build & Architect
Engineer robust, production-grade full-stack software and AI pipelines during the non-stop 36-hour offline campus hackathon.
Pillar 03
Mentor & Validate
Iterate rapidly with in-person directional reviews from faculty mentors, alumni founders, and industry leaders during prototype construction.
Pillar 04
Present & Defend
Demonstrate working software with live, running demos before domain experts and a distinguished grand jury panel for podium honors.
Help & FAQsFrequently Asked
Frequently Asked
Questions.
Clear clarifications regarding team formations, problem statements, logistics, and official channels.
Ask Your
Queries.
Tell us what keeps you stuck, we'll turn it into your next breakthrough.
Gallery & Archives
Zinnovatio 4.0 Has Concluded
Thank you to all 4,255 builders who innovated with us. Meet you in Zinnovatio 5.0!