Data Champions Emerge at NSO-IIT Gandhinagar's 'Hack the Future' Marathon

The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology secured first place in the third category, showcasing their exceptional analytical and innovative capabilities.

The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN), concluded a successful 36-hour national hackathon titled "Hack the Future" today at the IITGN campus.

The event saw enthusiastic participation from 18 teams, representing some of India's most prestigious academic institutions, including the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), National Institutes of Technology (NITs), and Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs). Teams engaged intensively over the course of 36 hours, addressing three distinct and innovative problem statements designed to foster creativity and problem-solving skills, particularly in the domains of data science and statistical analysis.

Participants received continuous mentorship and guidance from experienced professionals and experts associated with MoSPI and IITGN, enriching their solutions with practical insights and technical depth. The final evaluation was conducted by a distinguished five-member jury panel comprising eminent experts from industry, academia, and senior officials from MoSPI.

The valedictory session witnessed high-profile dignitaries, including Dr. Saurabh Garg, Secretary, MoSPI & Head of NSO; Shri P.R. Meshram, Director General, NSO India; and Dr. Rajat Moona, Director, IIT Gandhinagar. Addressing the gathering, Shri P.R. Meshram applauded the teams for their innovative solutions, highlighting that this hackathon is part of the Ministry's broader strategy to modernize and leverage technological advancements for improved statistical analysis and governance.

Dr. Rajat Moona praised the enthusiasm and determination of the participants and encouraged them to pursue continued engagement in data science, stressing the importance of leveraging the extensive datasets provided by MoSPI to enhance their learning and contribute significantly to the field. He also commended MoSPI for taking proactive measures in promoting innovation through such events.

In his keynote address, Dr. Saurabh Garg expressed delight over the robust nationwide participation and the high quality of the solutions developed by participating teams. He emphasized the hackathon's role in fostering innovation and collaboration, which is crucial for nation-building. Dr. Garg motivated participants to sustain their innovative spirit beyond this event, emphasizing the impact of their efforts on India's growth and development.

The winners were awarded based on their exceptional performance across three innovative categories. Plaksha University, Chandigarh, demonstrated outstanding achievement by securing first place in two categories, reflecting its excellence and depth in developing practical and advanced solutions. The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology secured first place in the third category, showcasing their exceptional analytical and innovative capabilities.

The second-place awards were claimed by teams from IIT Jammu, VIT Vellore, and NIT Goa, each exhibiting remarkable technical expertise and ingenuity. Third-place accolades went to NMIMS Mumbai, IIIT Vadodara, and IIT Kharagpur, underscoring their notable contributions and innovative approaches to complex challenges.

The hackathon concluded on an inspiring note, with participants and organizers collectively pledging to sustain and enhance multi-stakeholder collaboration for continuous innovation and practical solutions in data science, statistics, and related domains.