The government is putting a fresh focus on cybersecurity skills as digital threats become increasingly sophisticated. The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) has launched a national cybersecurity and artificial intelligence hackathon called “Cyber Kushti 2026.”
The initiative is designed to test participants' ability to identify and assess cybersecurity threats while encouraging young people to develop practical skills in AI and cyber defence.
What Is Cyber Kushti 2026?
Cyber Kushti 2026 is a national-level competition focused on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.
According to the Ministry of Electronics and IT, the event will test human judgement in cybersecurity assessment. The initiative comes at a time when AI is being increasingly used by both cybersecurity professionals and cybercriminals.
Who Can Participate?
The hackathon is open to students and independent researchers.
Participants must form teams of three to take part. Registration is free, making the competition accessible to people who want to test their cybersecurity knowledge without paying an entry fee.
What Will Participants Get?
The competition is intended to provide participants with an opportunity to test their skills against practical cybersecurity challenges.
The winning team will receive the title “Cyber Kesari 2026” along with a traditional gada. The runners-up will receive the titles “Rustam” and “Pahalwan.”
Beyond the awards, participation could provide students and researchers with valuable experience in analysing cyber threats and working on security-related problems.
Why Is Cybersecurity Becoming More Important?
The growing use of online banking, digital payments, smartphones and government services has also increased the potential impact of cyberattacks.
AI is adding another layer to the problem. Cybercriminals can potentially use artificial intelligence to create more convincing scams, automate attacks and develop sophisticated malicious campaigns.
The Indian government has also been strengthening its cybersecurity framework and deploying AI-driven systems for threat detection and assessment.
What Does This Mean for Students?
For students interested in technology, cybersecurity and AI, initiatives such as Cyber Kushti provide an opportunity to move beyond classroom learning.
Instead of only studying cybersecurity concepts, participants can test their ability to identify vulnerabilities, analyse threats and make decisions under challenging conditions.
This type of practical experience can also help students understand the skills increasingly required in the cybersecurity industry.
Registration Has Already Opened
Registration for Cyber Kushti 2026 opened in August and is scheduled to remain open until September 10, according to the government broadcaster's report. Participation is free for eligible teams.
Students and independent researchers interested in participating should check the official NIELIT or Ministry of Electronics and IT channels for the latest registration requirements and competition details.
A Bigger Push Toward Cyber Skills
Cyber Kushti 2026 is more than just a competition. It reflects the growing importance of developing skilled cybersecurity professionals as India becomes increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure.
