India’s first AI-augmented multidisciplinary university, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, hosted a two-day agentic AI founders’ hackathon - ‘0 to 1: Hack with Uttar Pradesh’, organized by its Technology Business Incubator (TBI) and Student Innovation Cell (IEDC).
The 30-hour innovation marathon was not just a coding event - it was a convergence of creativity, collaboration, and futuristic vision. Over 20,000 young innovators from India and abroad came together to build next-generation AI solutions poised to redefine governance, business, and society. The hackathon reaffirmed India’s growing global leadership in Artificial Intelligence and innovation.
Powered by Blackbox AI, with Google, Microsoft, Meta, IBM, Gemini, and Perplexity as key collaborators, the event offered a dynamic platform for participants to push the boundaries of technology and innovation. A highlight of the hackathon was a virtual fireside chat with Mr. Roger Rizk, Co-founder & COO, Blackbox, where students gained first-hand insights into how AI is shaping the future of innovation, development, and human potential.
With over 4,300 teams from 300+ institutions, including IITs, NITs, and IIITs, and a total prize pool of INR 10 Lakhs, the event showcased the power of India’s young tech talent. 10,000 participants from Uttar Pradesh and an equal number from other states demonstrated exceptional skill and creativity, setting a new benchmark for AI-driven problem-solving in academia.
Reflecting on the significance of the event, Mr. Jai Inder Singh Sandhu, Managing Director, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, said, “The Government of India will be hosting the India AI Impact Conference 2026 in New Delhi, and this Agentic AI Founders’ Hackathon at Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, serves as a pre-run-up event to it. The participation of over 20,000 young innovators from across India shows that our youth are no longer job seekers but job creators through innovation and startups.” He further added, “The day is not far when India will emerge as a global leader in Artificial Intelligence. In Uttar Pradesh, the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 will be realized through the AI City initiative - a blueprint for a self-reliant, technology-driven India. The participation of over 10,000 students from Uttar Pradesh in this hackathon reflects that vision, marking the first major step toward making it a reality.”
The hackathon not only celebrated India’s innovation potential but also echoed the nation’s readiness ahead of the upcoming India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, following Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s co-chairing of the Paris AI Action Summit, which highlighted India’s commitment to leading the global AI revolution.
With the success of ‘0 to 1: Hack with Uttar Pradesh’, Chandigarh University, Uttar Pradesh, has once again reinforced its role as a driving force in nurturing AI-powered innovation and shaping the architects of a Viksit Bharat 2047 - where youth, technology, and purpose converge to build the India of tomorrow.
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