Intellipaat (IST) 1st Year Students Emerge as Finalists at Smart India Hackathon Held at IIT Dhanbad
In a remarkable achievement, first-year students from the Intellipaat School of Technology (IST) have gained nationwide recognition by becoming finalists at the Smart India Hackathon, an initiative conducted by the Ministry of Education, Government of India. This prestigious event showcased the innovative capabilities of students from across the country, with a staggering 68,766 teams participating.
Finalists Among Thousands
Out of the thousands of teams that entered the competition, only the top 70 advanced to the finals. Among these elite teams, two were proud representatives of Intellipaat School of Technology, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to fostering talent and innovation from an early stage.
Innovative Solutions Presented
The first team presented an innovative solution focused on tourism. Their application integrated Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) experiences to showcase the rich cultural and natural heritage of Jharkhand. Additionally, they developed an AI-powered chatbot capable of providing instant, context-aware responses to a variety of user queries, including travel planning, local attractions, logistics, and on-ground assistance.
The second team took a different approach by focusing on the development of an autonomous, centralized drone swarming algorithm designed specifically for battlefield scenarios. This system enabled coordinated decision-making, real-time communication, and dynamic task allocation among multiple drones, allowing them to operate efficiently in complex and high-risk environments with minimal human intervention.
Impressive Jury Evaluation
The students from Intellipaat impressed the jury with their clarity of problem understanding, depth of technology integration, real-world applicability, and execution. Their ability to compete against final-year peers from prestigious institutions such as IITs and NITs is a testament to the quality of education and mentorship provided at Intellipaat.
Comments from Leadership
Diwakar Chittora, Founder and CEO of Intellipaat, commented on this significant achievement, stating, “It is extremely encouraging to see first-year Intellipaat School of Technology students conceptualize and build a solution that combines AI with AR/VR to solve a real problem like tourism promotion. Recognition at a Government of Jharkhand hackathon hosted at IIT Dhanbad validates our belief that when students are given the right environment, tools, and mentorship, they can create industry- and society-relevant innovations from day one.”
Strengthening the Educational Mission
This recognition further strengthens the Intellipaat School of Technology’s growing footprint across government-backed innovation platforms. It reinforces the institution’s mission to nurture future-ready technologists equipped to tackle real-world challenges using cutting-edge technologies.
About Intellipaat School of Technology
Intellipaat School of Technology (IST) serves as an industry knowledge partner, collaborating with UGC-recognized universities to design and deliver industry-integrated engineering curricula. With an application-first approach, IST emphasizes hands-on projects, modern tools, and ongoing industry engagement to build practical skills and improve career outcomes—especially in fields like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies.
Conclusion
The success of the first-year students at the Smart India Hackathon is a clear indication of the potential that lies within the youth of today. As they continue to innovate and push boundaries, institutions like Intellipaat School of Technology play a crucial role in shaping the future of technology and education in India.
Note: This article is based on information available as of January 28, 2026, and aims to highlight the achievements of students at Intellipaat School of Technology.

