Jamshedpur: The IDS6 Hackathon 2026—organized by Young Indians (Yi), Jamshedpur—transformed the traditional student competition into a dynamic platform for actionable innovation. During the 11-hour intensive event, young thinkers tackled a pressing local challenge: bridging the “Campus-to-Career” gap.
The hackathon introduced a bold opening format: organizers asked participants to switch off their phones and rely entirely on discussion, critical thinking, and teamwork. This unique approach fostered deep engagement and encouraged raw ideation and creative problem-solving rarely seen in typical tech-driven events.
Participants developed solutions rooted in Jamshedpur’s industrial landscape, specifically targeting the mining, manufacturing, and MSME sectors. Key proposals included strengthening the role of ITIs in enhancing employability, leveraging NGOs for skill-building, and launching student-led initiatives to address workforce readiness.
Yi Innovation Chair Shraddha Agarwal and Co-Chair Priyanka Agarwal spearheaded the event, while mentors Vivek Debuka and Yuva Chair Rohit Kedia guided the teams. Their mentorship pushed students to transform theoretical concepts into implementable models. Adding strategic depth, Dorian Scale Regional Growth Labs, led by Dr. Poornima Dore, partnered as a knowledge and impact advisor to provide insights into regional economic growth.
In the second half of the event, teams received focused mentoring before presenting their solutions to an esteemed jury. Industrialists Rohit Goyal and Punit Kauntia, media professional Udit Agarwal, and Dr. Poornima Dore evaluated each team based on innovation and feasibility.
The hackathon concluded with the selection of the top five teams. These finalists will now spend the next two weeks developing pilot solutions under continued mentorship. They will eventually showcase these pilots in a final presentation aimed at delivering scalable, real-world outcomes. By shifting the focus from ideation to execution, IDS6 Hackathon 2026 demonstrates that students can solve meaningful problems when given the right guidance.
