Dhanbad: The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad, is buzzing with innovation as over 125 teams from top technical institutes across India gather for HackFest 2025, a 36-hour national hackathon. The event, organized by the Office of Dean, Innovation, Incubation, and Entrepreneurship (IIE), kicked off today with a grand inaugural ceremony at the Penman Auditorium, attended by Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT-ISM, as the Chief Guest.
Prof. Mishra urged participants to focus on enjoying the event, emphasizing that productivity often stems from passion rather than solely from winning. Prof. Dheeraj Kumar, Deputy Director, highlighted the importance of aligning hackathon projects with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The competition presents a diverse range of challenges, including creating an AI-powered autonomous border surveillance system, mobile apps for ticket sales, decentralized arbitration systems, AI-driven sentiment monitoring, and interactive gaming applications.
With a prize pool of Rs 1 lakh and internship opportunities with top companies, HackFest 2025 offers participants the chance to showcase their innovative solutions. Prof. Saurabh Srivastava, Faculty Coordinator, stated that the hackathon is not just a competition but a gateway to recognition in the tech industry.
The event has attracted more than 650 students, including 250 from outside institutes, highlighting its national appeal. Student coordinators are ensuring a smooth experience, as HackFest 2025 promises to be a dynamic platform for creativity, coding, and collaboration at IIT-ISM Dhanbad.
