AI NINJAS
2026
CODE. TRAIN. CONQUER. — National Level AI Innovation Challenge
Hosted by Channabasaveshwara Institute of Technology, Gubbi. Build intelligent solutions that solve real-life problems and create a better tomorrow — theme: AI for Real-World Impact.
AI for Real-World Impact
AI NINJAS 2026 is the flagship innovation challenge of ISTE Karnataka Section, hosted by the Department of Computer Science & Engineering, CIT Gubbi. It brings together young innovators, developers, researchers and entrepreneurs from engineering institutions across India to solve real-world challenges using Artificial Intelligence.
Unlike a conventional hackathon that ends at project demonstration, AI NINJAS is built as an Innovation-to-Incubation platform — promising ideas are identified, mentored, validated and pushed toward becoming deployable solutions and potential startups, with guidance from academicians, industry experts and innovation leaders throughout.
Channabasaveshwara Institute of Technology
25 Years of Partnering in Academic Excellence
Channabasaveshwara Institute of Technology (CIT) is a NAAC-accredited, ISO 9001:2015 certified engineering institution marking its 25th year of academic excellence. AI Ninjas 2026 is organized by CIT's Department of Computer Science & Engineering, as a flagship event of ISTE Karnataka Section, in association with Eunoia Labs.
The department runs an active CIT Incubation Cell, giving student innovators a direct path from prototype to product with mentorship, seed funding and industry connections.
Six reasons to draw your blade
Innovate
Work on real-world AI problems that matter.
Exciting Prizes
Win amazing cash prizes and certificates.
Showcase
Present your project at the grand finale.
Seed Fund
Get seed-funding opportunities at the CIT Incubation Cell.
Incubation Support
Guidance, mentorship and resources to build your startup.
Build Your Future
Turn ideas into products, research and startups.
Choose your art
AI for Healthcare
Disease prediction, medical image analysis, chatbots, patient monitoring.
AI for Agriculture
Crop disease detection, yield prediction, smart irrigation, soil analysis.
AI for Education
Personalized learning, AI tutors, automated evaluation, chatbots.
Smart Campus Solutions
Smart attendance, navigation assistants, energy monitoring, facility management.
AI for Social Good
Women's safety, disaster prediction, accessibility tools, waste management.
AI for Environment
Air & water quality monitoring, flood prediction, waste segregation, climate analytics.
Generative & Agentic AI
AI assistants, content generation, workflow automation, AI agents.
Four stages to the finale
Idea Submission
Submit your team and your innovative idea through the registration form.
Screening & Shortlisting
Top ideas are shortlisted by an expert panel and announced.
Project Development Phase
Selected teams build, train, test and prepare their solution for the final showcase.
Grand Finale & Exhibition
Showcase your solution, present your implementation and answer questions from the judges.
The essentials
Cash prizes worth up to ₹1 Lakh across all categories, plus certificates for every participant.
Exclusive opportunity to attend the Investor Arena where the top 25 teams will get a chance to pitch their ideas to investors and secure funding.
Earn your title
AI Ninja Grand Champion
Best AI Innovation
Best Social Impact Project
Best Responsible AI Award
Backed by Eunoia Labs
Winning projects may be considered for incubation, startup support and funding opportunities through Eunoia Labs, a startup initiative associated with CIT.
- Incubation Support
- Funding Opportunities
- Mentorship
- Investor Connect
- Industry Connect
- Growth Support
Guiding the mission
Former MP, Tumkur · Chairman, CIT Group of Institutions
MLA, Tumkur City · Secretary & Managing Director, CIT Group of Institutions
Director, CIT Group of Institutions · Chairman, ISTE Karnataka Section
Who to reach
Vice Principal & Director-CADC, Professor & Head, Dept. of CSE, CIT Gubbi
Associate Professor, Dept. of CSE, CIT Gubbi
Associate Professor, Dept. of CSE, CIT Gubbi
+91 98449 87877
Assistant Professor, Dept. of CSE, CIT Gubbi
+91 97420 45203
Think Like Ninja. Build Like AI.
Assemble your 3–4 member squad and submit your idea before the gates close.