Idea 33: Telangana's statewide student hackathon, and how to apply

Last checked: 22 Oct 2026. Next update: when T-Hub publishes the official call for applications or the Top 100 list.

Idea 33 is a student hackathon open to every district in Telangana. It is run by T-Hub, Kakatiya University and the Government of Telangana's Higher Education Department. Applications are open from 6 October to 22 November 2026, and you can apply with just an idea; you don't need a finished product (T-Hub Idea 33 page, accessed 22 Oct 2026).

The name comes from Telangana's 33 districts. The aim is to bring ideas from every campus, not only Hyderabad's, to the T-Hub stage.

Who can apply

According to T-Hub, the hackathon is open to "students from any university, college or institution across Telangana's 33 districts, including government institutions" (T-Hub). The application form asks for:

1. Your district
2. Full name and gender
3. Phone number and email
4. University or institution, and course (UG or PG)
5. Whether you have an idea or a prototype
6. A short description of your idea
7. The topic it fits best
8. Any questions for the organisers

(T-Hub)

T-Hub says extra support goes to women, SC/ST/OBC students, persons with disability, LGBTQ+ students, first-generation students and students from smaller districts (T-Hub).

Topics: any idea counts

The hackathon is open to any topic. T-Hub lists seven areas, but says these "only help us match you with the right mentors and judges":

• Climate, Energy & Sustainability
• FinTech & Digital Economy
• Deep Tech, AI & Emerging Tech
• Manufacturing, Hardware & Industry 4.0
• Smart Governance / GovTech
• Social Innovation & Public Systems
• Open / Student Innovation

(T-Hub)

Looking for a real local problem? The best entries usually start with something you can see around you. Telangana had a weak 2026 monsoon, and Hyderabad faces water pressure this season. Our explainers on Telangana's driest districts in 2026 and the Hyderabad 20% water challenge are good starting points for a climate or water idea.

How it works: from application to Demo Day

T-Hub publishes these as indicative dates, to be confirmed in the official call for applications (T-Hub):

What the winners get

The Top 10 teams share a ₹7,00,000 prototype-development fund, which is ₹70,000 per team, as part of pre-incubation at T-Hub, plus mentorship and access to the startup network (T-Hub).

How ideas are judged

T-Hub says a panel of 6–10 experts scores every idea on the same eight points, and the topic you pick never counts for or against you (T-Hub):

1. A clear problem
2. A new, different idea
3. A real need for it
4. Room to grow
5. A strong, committed team
6. Proof it works (a prototype)
7. A workable business plan
8. A clear, simple pitch

Is there a fee?

This isn't confirmed yet. T-Hub's page says participation details, "including any fees, will be confirmed in the official call for applications" (T-Hub). Check the official page before paying anyone, and be wary of third parties offering paid "registration help."

Background

On 21 Sep 2026, Kakatiya University's Vice Chancellor, Prof. K. Pratap Reddy, met T-Hub's leadership in Hyderabad to plan a statewide hackathon covering every district. The report said it would be launched at Kakatiya University with the state Education Department (Hindudayashankar, 21 Sep 2026). Kakatiya University's K-Hub, where the bootcamp is planned, has worked with T-Hub since 2023 (Telangana Today, 10 Jul 2023).

A simple checklist before you apply

• Write the problem in one sentence. Say who has it and where.
• Say what you've seen. Talk to five people who actually face the problem.
• Pick the closest topic. It only decides your mentors, not your score.
• Note your stage honestly. An idea is fine; a prototype helps on criterion 6.
• Apply before 22 Nov 2026. Questions go to the programme team at hackathon@t-hub.co (T-Hub).

Find teammates and talk ideas: Ask questions, test your problem statement and find people near you in Soshyal's live Hyderabad rooms: Chat rooms in Hyderabad. Soshyal rooms are for adults 18+ (see Terms).

Related on Soshyal - Chat rooms in Hyderabad - Telangana's driest districts in 2026 - Hyderabad 20% water challenge - How Soshyal rooms work