ONEST Hackathon
The “UPI moment” for jobs and employability starts here
Tackle India’s grassroots challenges through technology. Fix discovery gaps that prevent 500M youth from finding jobs, benefits, and growth opportunities in rural and semi-urban areas.
DS Incubation
Pathway
₹10 Lakh
Prize Pool
Access to
ONEST Stack
Industry
Mentorship
Apply soon as the deadline is extended
Last day to apply – 13th September 2025.
4-Day Innovation Journey
DAY 0 • 16 Sept 2025 • Virtual
Foundation Building
Virtual orientation & masterclass. Kick-off with insights from experts.
DAY 1 • 17 Sept 2025 • Virtual
Solution Design
Virtual hacking Begins! Ideate and submit your solution document.
DAY 2 • 18 Sept 2025 • On Campus
Development Sprint
Build your first-cut prototype with access to labs, mentors, and more.
DAY 3 • 19 Sept 2025 • On Campus
Pitch & Selection
Deliver a 3-5 slide pitch to a panel of judges and investors.
7 Real Problems.
Million-Person Impact.
Discovery is broken across India. Jobs exist, MSMEs are ready, schemes are available—but connections aren’t happening. We’re looking for solutions to make discovery timely, trusted, and scalable for blue-collar workers, students, persons with disabilities, and migrant populations across 7 carefully selected problem statements.
Download the detailed problem briefs to understand the full scope and begin crafting your solution.
Calling All Innovators & Entrepreneurs!
If you’re passionate about solving real-world problems with technology, this is for you.
Eligibility Categories:
College Students
Working Professionals
Startup Founders/Existing startups
Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Team Structure:
Minimum 2, maximum 4 members per team.
Diverse skill combinations encouraged—technical development paired with market understanding creates winning solutions.
Ready to
Transform Discovery?
Secure your spot in India’s most impactful hackathon. Limited spots available, so register before the September 8th deadline.
Last day to apply – 13th September 2025.
Comprehensive Winner Benefits
Access to Funding & Grants
A share of the ₹10 Lakhs prize pool and access to future investment opportunities.
Pathway to Incubation at DS
Direct entry to Deshpande Startup’s ecosystem and incubator program
Industry Expert Mentorship
Ongoing guidance from Aadhaar, UPI, and FASTag architecture teams
ONEST Stack Integration
Technical access and support for scaling solutions on India’s digital infrastructure
Investor Network Exposure
Connections to funding opportunities through established ecosystem partners
Market Implementation
Pathways to pilot and scale solutions with government and corporate partners
Your Gateway to
Top teams from the ONEST Hackathon will get an exclusive opportunity to pitch at Bharat Pitchathon 4.0 in Hubli on September 20th!
Bharat Pitchathon 4.0 follows immediately after ONEST Hackathon, creating a seamless path from innovation to investment. This flagship event has supported over 200 startup pitches with 50+ incubators and accelerators participating.