General Questions
SmartAIthon 2026 is a multi-stage innovation challenge organized by IEEE KCE SB CIS Chapter, and IEEE Smart Cities Initiative. It brings together students, developers, and innovators to solve real-world urban problems using Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.
SmartAIthon 2026 is open to:
- Undergraduate (UG) students from any discipline
- Postgraduate (PG) students pursuing master's or doctoral degrees
- Students can participate individually or in teams
- Cross-college teams are allowed
Yes, SmartAIthon 2026 is completely online. All stages including registration, idea submission, prototype submission, and final presentations will be conducted through online platforms, primarily Google Meet for the final round.
Teams can have 1 to 4 members maximum. Each team must designate one member as the team leader for communication purposes. Participants cannot join multiple teams simultaneously.
Registration & Fees
Yes, certificates will be provided to all participants who successfully complete the registration process and submit their projects. Special certificates will be awarded to winners and top performers.
Stage 1 (Registration & Idea Submission) is completely free for all participants. However, there may be nominal fees for subsequent stages for non-IEEE members. IEEE CIS/Smart Cities members get special discounts.
Registration fees for Stage 2 onwards:
- IEEE CIS / Smart Cities Members: ₹150
- IEEE Members: ₹180
- Non-IEEE Participants: ₹200
You can register through the official Google Form link provided on our website. The registration form requires team details, member information, project details, and submission links. Make sure to fill all required fields accurately.
Projects & Submissions
Yes, a working prototype is mandatory for Stage 2. You need to submit your working model along with source code, documentation, demo video (2-5 minutes), and workflow video (2 minutes).
Projects are evaluated based on:
- Innovation & Creativity (25%)
- Technical Implementation (25%)
- Real-World Impact (20%)
- Feasibility & Scalability (15%)
- Presentation Quality (15%)
The evaluation process includes initial screening, expert review, technical assessment, and final presentation rounds.
For Stage 2, you need to submit:
- GitHub Repository with complete source code
- Demo Video (2-5 minutes)
- Workflow Video (2 minutes)
- Technical documentation
- Presentation slides (using provided template)
Projects must be developed specifically for SmartAIthon 2026. However, you can build upon existing ideas or technologies as long as the core innovation and implementation are done during the hackathon period.
Final Round & Prizes
The final round will be conducted online via Google Meet on August 24, 2026. Each team gets:
- 5 minutes for presentation
- 3 minutes for Q&A session
- Two time slots available: FN (10:00 AM - 12:00 Noon) and AN (04:00 PM - 07:00 PM)
- Slots are available on first-come-first-served basis
The total prize pool is ₹10,000 (Tentative) distributed as:
- First Prize: ₹5,000
- Second Prize: ₹3,000
- Third Prize: ₹2,000
Winners will be announced on August 25, 2026.
The current prize pool of ₹10,000 is tentative and may be increased based on sponsorships and participation. Final prize amounts will be announced closer to the event date.
Technical & Platform
You can use any programming languages, frameworks, tools, or technologies that best suit your project. However, your solution should demonstrate AI/ML capabilities and address smart city challenges. Make sure to provide proper documentation for all technologies used.
PPT templates for Round 1 (Idea Submission) and Round 2 (Prototype Presentation) are available on the Submission Guidelines page. You can download them directly from the template cards section.
If you face any technical issues during submission, please contact us immediately at smartaithon@gmail.com. Our technical team will assist you with the submission process. Make sure to report issues well before the deadline.