The initiative calls on student innovators across the country to build next-generation, AI-powered prototypes that can tackle some of the most pressing cyber threats of our time — from voice-cloning fraud and AI-driven scam pattern recognition to deepfake detection in financial communications.
Teams of 2–4 members will compete to deliver solutions evaluated on technical architecture, real-world feasibility, responsible AI practices, and — critically — their potential to scale into tools that protect millions of Indians from evolving cyber scams and frauds.
The top 30 teams will advance to a 48-hour in-person finale at IIT Delhi on October 24-25, 2026, where they will build, test and demonstrate their prototypes before an expert jury comprising academic, industry and cybersecurity experts. High-impact solutions and winning teams will also have an opportunity to be showcased at Amazon Sambhav 2026.
Prof. Shilpi Sharma, Associate Dean Academics (Outreach and New Initiatives), IIT Delhi, said, “With RAKSHAM, we are putting India’s exceptional student talent at the frontlines of the fight against cyber scams and frauds. This hackathon challenges participants to move beyond concepts and deliver AI-powered prototypes that are technically sound, ethically grounded, and ready for real-world impact. Our partnership with I4C and Amazon underscores a shared conviction — that the next generation of innovators holds the key to building a safer digital India.”
The initiative comes ahead of the festive shopping season, when increased digital activity and consumer transactions can create greater opportunities for fraudsters. It builds on the ongoing collaboration between Amazon and I4C under #ScamSmartIndia, taking the focus from helping consumers recognize and avoid scams to encouraging technology-led approaches to detecting and preventing them.
Registrations and concept submissions are open for all until October 12, 2026. Register for RAKSHAM – National AI Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 here
