Uttaranchal School of Computing Sciences, Uttaranchal University organized the SAFENET Hack Challenge 2026, on 9th February 2026 a oneday hackathon event, on Safer Internet Day, under the banner of the Cyber Warrior Club.
The hackathon received an overwhelming response, with 100+ students participating and 30+ teams registering for the event. Many teams showcased their own innovative student-led solutions, focusing on cyber safety, digital awareness, online privacy, and responsible internet usage, aligning perfectly with the theme of Safer Internet Day.
The event commenced on 9th February 2026 with an inspiring inaugural address by Prof. (Dr.) Sonal Sharma Director, USCS who motivated the participants and emphasized the importance of cybersecurity and ethical use of the internet in today’s digital era. Following the inaugural session, all participating teams moved to the computer laboratories, where the hackathon officially began. Teams worked collaboratively on their ideas, developing prototypes and solutions within the given timeframe.
Shortlisted teams presented their final solutions before the judging panel. Based on innovation, relevance to the theme, feasibility, and presentation, the top three teams were selected:
Winner: Team SparkSec 1st RunnerUp: Team Expo and 2nd RunnerUp: Wara Wara Club
The event concluded with a valedictory session, graced by Prof. (Dr.) Sonal Sharma, along with Dr. Rajesh Singh, Director of DRI Department, Prof.(Dr. ) Anita Gehlot Joint Director DRI and Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Dev Sharma, Head of Department. The dignitaries appreciated the efforts of the organizers and participants, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in building a safer and more responsible digital society.
Under the guidance of Prof. (Dr.) Sameer Dev Sharma, HoD-USCS, the hackathon was successfully coordinated by Mr. Nitin Sharma and Mr. Sanjay Mishra with the support of Ms. Manisha Saini, Ms. Manisha Khanduja, Mr. Vipul Kashyap, and student volunteers.
