The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay and Russia’s Rosatom State Corporation have launched Atomic Hack India 2026, a national innovation challenge for undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students. Registration is open until October 20, 2026.The hackathon will ask participants to develop solutions to power grid challenges involving nuclear and renewable energy sources. The competition will focus on designing a Zero-Sequence Directional Overcurrent Protection (ZDOP) scheme for a 220 kV transmission line connected to these energy sources.The challenge aims to help students develop a protection system that can detect and identify electrical faults in transmission lines, supporting the safe and reliable operation of the power grid.
Who can participate in Atomic Hack India 2026?
The challenge is open to undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students. Participants do not need prior experience with the software platform that will be used during the competition.They will receive free access to REPEAT VISION, a software platform developed by ETC GET, a subsidiary of Rosatom. The platform supports one-dimensional modelling and the creation of digital twins, which are virtual models of physical systems used to study their behaviour under different conditions.Participants will also receive introductory training webinars and mentorship from Rosatom engineers and IIT Bombay professors.
Atomic Hack India 2026: Competition stages
The hackathon will be conducted in two stages.
- Online qualification round: The first stage will run from October 20 to 28, 2026. Participants will work on the challenge and compete for a place in the next round.
- Grand finale: Up to 25 shortlisted teams will take part in a 48-hour finale at the IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai from December 4 to 6, 2026.
The competition will focus on developing a protection scheme for a 220 kV transmission line that integrates nuclear and renewable energy sources.
What will participants win?
Winning teams will receive opportunities and benefits that include:
- A sponsored research visit to Moscow to visit Rosatom’s engineering centres.
- Internship opportunities at ETC GET.
- Certificates.
Participants will also benefit from training and mentorship during the challenge.
Who is organising Atomic Hack India 2026?
The hackathon is being organised by JSC ETC GET in partnership with the Rosatom Corporate Academy and IIT Bombay’s Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability (GESH IITB).The initiative comes as India plans to expand its nuclear power capacity, with a stated target of 100 GW by 2047. As nuclear power and renewable energy sources become part of the wider energy mix, maintaining power grid stability and detecting electrical faults remain important technical challenges.Interested undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students should complete their registration by October 20, 2026.