- With cash rewards worth Rs 5.7 Lakh, it presents a unique opportunity for participants to develop solutions that could influence policy-making and drive societal development
- The participants will present their ideas to the jury on Sunday, March 23, 2025
- PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research and VIT Vellore from Tamil Nadu among 19 teams taking part in this contest
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
GANDHINAGAR, MAR 21
The Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) hosted the inauguration ceremony of ‘Hack The Future – Innovating Intelligent Data Insights’, a 36-hour national hackathon designed to explore the transformative power of data for addressing societal challenges, on Friday, at the IITGN Research Park.
Held as a collaborative venture between the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) and the IIT Gandhinagar Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IIEC), this hackathon brings together 19 student teams from among 1,000 applicants from across the country. The Indian Institute of Information Technology , Indian Institute of Technology, Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, VIT Vellore, University of Delhi, Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology, National Institute of Technology, Jawaharlal Nehru University, Plaksha University, NMIMS Mumbai, and PSG Institute of Technology and Applied Research etc. have been shortlisted for participation
These teams will work on three problem statements: a) Development of an AI/MI based predictive model for estimation of Monthly Per Capita Expenditure (MPCE) b) Development of Semantic Search from text to National Industrial Classification Code and c) AI-based Legacy Data Extraction and Processing Tool.
R Rajesh, Additional Director General, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, witnessed the inauguration of the event. In his address, he reflected on the progress made by MoSPI over the past year and the role of technology and data analytics. He emphasised the significance of exploring these problem statements, stating, “It is my great privilege and honour to be a part of the inauguration of this hackathon, a collaborative effort between MoSPI and IIT Gandhinagar’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center (IIEC). The enthusiasm of all the participants is inspiring. Winning a prize is secondary; the key is the experience and the journey of the hackathon. This is not merely an event, but a step towards nation building.”
Prof Rajat Moona, Director, IITGN, shared his thoughts on the growing impact of data-driven governance, drawing attention to the success of initiatives like UPI. He remarked, “India has made significant strides in adopting technology, particularly in the field of computing. It is heartening to see so many participants as this event offers not only the chance to work on groundbreaking ideas but also to forge lifelong professional relationships. I hope that you all gain valuable knowledge and experiences, and I wish you success, both in terms of accolades and personal growth.”
The participants will present their ideas to the jury on March 23, 2025. With cash rewards worth Rs 5.7 Lakh, it presents a unique opportunity for participants to develop solutions that could influence policy-making and drive societal development. It also offers a platform for collaboration with peers, mentors, and industry leaders, with potential for incubation and mentorship for promising ideas.
