Overview
SerpApi hosts the India Hackathon 2026, a fully online and asynchronous event that invites participants from across India to build apps, AI agents, or open source integrations that leverage live search data from SerpApi. The hackathon runs from September 1 to October 5, 2026, with a submission deadline on October 5 at 23:59 IST. Open to India residents aged 18 and over, the event emphasizes creativity, practical use of search data, and meaningful SerpApi usage. Participants can work solo or in teams of up to five and may use any programming language or framework. The emphasis is on real world data and tangible demonstrations of project functionality rather than polished video production.
Format and Tracks
Projects can be solo or team based, and must demonstrate meaningful SerpApi usage. The hackathon features six project tracks that recognize outstanding work in different domains. Tracks include AI Agents, Open Source Integrations, Travel and Local Discovery, Commerce and Market Intelligence, Knowledge and Public Interest, and Open Innovation. Each track offers a dedicated award in addition to overall prizes. In addition to track prizes, there are Community awards supported by partner communities, and a baseline Submission Credits reward for every valid entry. The event encourages both new and existing projects, and welcomes projects that repurpose or extend SerpApi data in new ways.
Prizes and Submissions
The prize pool totals over ₹3 lakh, including cash awards and SerpApi credits. The top places yield cash prizes and credits valued for future use. Each submission also earns participation credits, ensuring ongoing value for entrants. Submissions require a public GitHub repository, a short description, setup instructions, and a brief demo video showing the project running locally. A dashboard-based submission flow guides entrants from sign in through GitHub to final submission before the deadline.
Tracks and Tracks Guidance
Tracks provide focus areas for teams to showcase how SerpApi can power intelligent agents, open source integrations, travel planning, commerce insights, and more. Each track lists example ideas and recommended tooling. Judges evaluate projects on idea strength, originality, technical complexity, usefulness, and meaningful SerpApi usage. The judging process emphasizes the overall impact and the practical demonstration of SerpApi data in the project rather than video production quality.
Timeline and Submissions
The event spans from September 1 to October 5, 2026. Final submissions close on October 5 at 23:59 IST. Participants are encouraged to publish code, provide a three-minute or shorter demo video, and ensure the demonstration can be run locally from public or unlisted links. Important milestones include initial setup, development time, and careful documentation, with judges reviewing projects based on submitted repositories, demos, and accompanying explanations.
How to Attend and Help
The Hackathon is fully online and asynchronous, enabling participation from anywhere in India. Resources, documentation, and examples are provided to help entrants get started, including starter credits to test SerpApi integrations. If you need help, reach out to hackathon organizers or SerpApi support via official channels. The event also features community partners that help spread awareness and provide additional support resources.
FAQ Highlights
Common questions cover language choices, in person participation, solo vs team entries, reuse of existing projects, AI tool usage, and submission requirements. The Rules and Terms pages govern participation, with clear guidance on eligibility, required disclosures, and submission processes. This description reflects the publicly stated aspects of the event as described on the official page.
