Big Stakes, Big Data: The UIDAI National Data Hackathon 2026 is Here!
Calling all student data geeks! 🚀 The UIDAI National Data Hackathon 2026 is here. Work with real Aadhaar datasets, solve big problems, and win cash prizes up to ₹2,00,000. Registration opens Jan 5! Don't miss this chance to make an impact. 📊💻 #UIDAI #DataScience #Hackathon
If you’ve ever wanted to get your hands on real-world, large-scale datasets to solve national-level problems, your time has come. The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), in collaboration with the NIC and MeitY, has officially announced the National Data Hackathon 2026.
Online hackathon on data-driven innovation on Aadhaar- 2026
This isn't just another coding competition. This is a chance to work with anonymized Aadhaar enrolment and update datasets to find patterns, anomalies, and predictive insights that could literally shape how the world’s largest biometric ID system evolves.
💰 What’s on the Line?
UIDAI is putting up significant cash prizes for the top five innovative submissions:
| Rank | Cash Award |
| 1st Prize | ₹2,00,000 |
| 2nd Prize | ₹1,50,000 |
| 3rd Prize | ₹75,000 |
| 4th Prize | ₹50,000 |
| 5th Prize | ₹25,000 |
Bonus: Shortlisted teams invited for the final presentation in Delhi or Bengaluru will have their travel expenses reimbursed!
🔍 The Challenge
The goal is simple but high-impact: use the provided datasets to identify meaningful trends or create solution frameworks that support better decision-making for the Aadhaar ecosystem. Whether it's improving system efficiency or identifying demographic trends, the stage is yours.
🎓 Who Can Participate?
- Students Only: You must be currently enrolled in an accredited Indian university or institution.
- Age: 18+ years (as of Jan 1, 2026).
- Teams: You can go solo or form a team of up to 5 members. (Pro-tip: Build a heterogeneous team with a mix of data scientists, UI/UX designers, and domain experts).
- Exclusions: If you are currently associated with service delivery at UIDAI or NIC, you'll have to sit this one out.
🗓️ Key Dates & How to Register
Registration opens on January 5th, 2026. You will have 15 days from the launch to register and submit your initial idea.
The registration process uses the JanParichay platform. Here is the streamlined way to get onboard:
- Head to the Challenge Page: event.data.gov.in
- Login via JanParichay : Click "Login to Participate." If you don't have an account, sign up using your mobile number.
- Crucial Step (Update Email): Before you proceed to the event site, ensure your Primary Email ID is verified in your JanParichay profile.
- Go to Edit Profile -> Verification Details -> Select Primary Email -> Verify with OTP.
- Join/Create a Team: A team lead or any member can create the team on the event site. Remember, you can only be part of one team.
🚀 Final Thoughts
This is a rare opportunity for students to move beyond "toy datasets" and work on something that impacts over a billion people. It’s great for your portfolio, even better for your bank account, and best for the national digital infrastructure.
Ready to dive in?
Check out the full details here: https://event.data.gov.in
