ISRO has launched the third Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026, a student competition aimed at space technology and research. The event builds on the agency’s National Space Day outreach and continues a program that began in 2024.

ISRO has launched the third edition of the Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026, extending its student outreach and innovation pipeline around space technology and research.

The announcement, reported on June 12 by The Times of India, positions the hackathon as a national competition for students interested in space-related problem solving. The 2026 edition follows earlier National Space Day programming and continues ISRO’s effort to bring younger talent into its broader ecosystem.

A recurring student event

The hackathon was already part of ISRO’s National Space Day programming in 2024, when the agency held the maiden National Space Day celebration on August 23, 2024. ISRO’s National Space Day page for 2025 shows the observance continued the following year, making the hackathon part of an established annual outreach format.

That chronology makes the 2026 contest the third edition of Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon, rather than a one-off announcement.

Why it matters

The event matters because it creates a direct entry point for students who want to work on Indian space-technology problems. According to the reporting, the competition is intended to surface practical ideas relevant to research and development while widening participation beyond the agency’s core workforce.

For students, the announcement also signals that ISRO is continuing to use competitions and challenge formats to identify talent early in the pipeline.

What is still to watch

The initial reporting confirms the launch, but some operational details remain to be tracked in official updates. Those include the exact eligibility rules, registration and submission deadlines, and whether ISRO publishes prize, internship or showcase details in a standalone notice.

A fresh official event page or social media post from ISRO would provide the clearest next step for prospective applicants.

Timeline

  • August 23, 2024: ISRO holds the maiden National Space Day celebration.
  • August 23, 2025: ISRO confirms National Space Day continues as an annual observance.
  • June 12, 2026: The Times of India reports that ISRO has launched Bharatiya Antariksh Hackathon 2026.

Revision note

Initial automated publication.