The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has announced the launch of the 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025, a six-month initiative aimed at fostering cutting-edge 5G-powered solutions to address societal and industrial challenges. Open to students, startups, and professionals, the program provides mentorship, funding, and access to over 100 5G Use Case Labs, facilitating the transformation of innovative ideas into scalable technologies.
Focus Areas and Key Features
Participants are invited to propose solutions leveraging 5G applications such as AI-driven network maintenance, IoT-enabled solutions, 5G broadcasting, smart health, agriculture, industrial automation, non-terrestrial networks (NTN), device-to-mobile (D2M), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), and quantum communication. The hackathon encourages the use of advanced 5G features like network slicing, Quality of Service (QoS), and call-flow scenarios to develop impactful solutions.
To support participants, the program offers structured mentorship, IPR filing assistance, and funding opportunities. Innovators will receive guidance from industry leaders, academia, and government representatives, ensuring their solutions align with market needs and regulatory frameworks.
Programme Structure & Timeline
The hackathon will be conducted in multiple stages:
- Proposal Submission (March 15 – April 15, 2025) – Participants submit detailed proposals, outlining problem statements, proposed solutions, and expected impact. Each institution can recommend up to five proposals for DoT screening, with regional committees selecting the best entries for further evaluation.
- Regional Shortlisting (April – May 2025) – 150–200 proposals will be shortlisted, with teams receiving expert guidance to refine their ideas. The top 25–50 teams will advance to the next phase.
- Pragati Phase (June 15 – September 15, 2025) – Selected teams will receive ₹1,00,000 each as seed funding to develop prototypes. They will also gain access to 5G Use Case Labs, testing infrastructure, and mentorship. Support for IPR filing will be provided if a solution holds commercial potential.
- Evaluation and Showcase (Late September 2025) – Teams will present their prototypes to the Technical Expert Evaluation Committee (TEEC), comprising 5-7 experts from government, academia, and industry. Evaluation criteria include:
- Technical Execution (40%)
- Scalability & Market Readiness (40%)
- Societal & Industrial Impact (10%)
- Novelty (10%)
- Final Awards (October 1, 2025) – Winners will be announced, with the top teams showcasing their innovations at the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2025, one of India’s most prestigious technology events.
Awards & Recognition
The hackathon features a ₹1.5 crore budget, covering seed funding, IPR support, and mentorship. Winning teams will receive:
- ₹5,00,000 for 1st place
- ₹3,00,000 for the runner-up
- ₹1,50,000 for 2nd runner-up
- ₹50,000 for Best Idea and Most Innovative Prototype
- Certificates of Appreciation for Best 5G Use Case Labs and Emerging Institutes
Driving 5G Innovation in India
The 5G Innovation Hackathon 2025 aims to develop 50+ scalable 5G prototypes, generate 25+ patents, and strengthen academia-industry-government collaboration. By bridging research and real-world applications, this initiative supports India’s vision of leading global 5G innovation.
For further details and proposal submissions, visit the official DoT website.
