Rules & Guidelines
Know the rules of the game. Eligibility, team size, code of conduct and more.
- Teams of 3 – 4 sorcerers
- Original code written on-site
- Any stack, any realm
- 1000+
- Hackers
- 8
- Hours
- 20+
- Mentors
- Exciting
- Prizes
One reality. Limitless possibilities.
About PARADOX
- 03 October 2026
- 8 Hours Straight
- IEM Gurukul Campus
PARADOX is an 8-hour hackathon organized by IEEE IEM COMSOC, APS & WIE where reality bends to your code. On 3rd October 2026, a thousand brilliant minds converge at IEM Gurukul Campus to question conventions, break every boundary, and build the impossible before the clock runs out. One day. Eight hours. Infinite timelines. Dare to be the exception.
Your spellbook to innovate.
Hackers Guide
Timeline
Important dates, deadlines and key event milestones. Stay ahead, always.
- Registration closes 28 Sept
- Teams confirmed 30 Sept
- Hack day 3 Oct 2026
Tips & Tricks
Pro tips, past learnings and insights to help you hack smarter, not harder.
- Scope small, ship complete
- Demo beats slides
- Eight hours goes fast
Glory for those who bend reality.
Prize Pool
Winner
₹15,000
The Sorcerer Supreme
1st Runner Up
₹10,000
Master of the Mystic Arts
2nd Runner Up
₹5,000
Keeper of the Time Stone
3rd October 2026 · 8 AM – 7 PM · No time to waste
Schedule
- 8:00 – 8:45 AM — Registration. Gates open. Collect your kit and enter the sanctum.
- 8:45 – 9:00 AM — Session 1. Opening address from the council of judges and mentors.
- 9:00 AM — Hackathon Starts. The clock bends. Eight hours start now.
- 12:00 – 1:00 PM — Mentoring Round 1. One-on-one guidance to keep your build on track.
- 1:30 – 3:00 PM — Lunch. Refuel with the realm before the final stretch.
- 5:00 – 5:30 PM — Final Judgement. Present your build live to the panel.
- 5:30 – 6:00 PM — Top 6 Finalist Idea Pitching. 3-minute pitch + 1-minute Q&A from each of the top 6 shortlisted teams.
- 6:00 – 7:00 PM — Winners & Prizes. Glory, prizes and the closing ceremony.
8:00 – 8:45 AM
Registration
Gates open. Collect your kit and enter the sanctum.
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Session 1
Opening address from the council of judges and mentors.
9:00 AM
Hackathon Starts
The clock bends. Eight hours start now.
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Mentoring Round 1
One-on-one guidance to keep your build on track.
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Lunch
Refuel with the realm before the final stretch.
5:00 – 5:30 PM
Final Judgement
Present your build live to the panel.
5:30 – 6:00 PM
Top 6 Finalist Idea Pitching
3-minute pitch + 1-minute Q&A from each of the top 6 shortlisted teams.
6:00 – 7:00 PM
Winners & Prizes
Glory, prizes and the closing ceremony.
Answers from the ancient one
FAQ
Sponsors
Event Partners
Community Partners
The portal is open
Enter the Paradox
1000+ hackers. 8 hours. One reality to rewrite. Registrations close 28th September, 2026 — secure your seat in the sanctum.
Every registered team gets a reg kit and swag on arrival.