Smart India Hackathon (SIH)
How to prepare and win India's biggest hackathon
Preparation Roadmap
Follow these steps to prepare systematically
Form Your Team
Build a team of 6 with diverse skills — frontend, backend, ML/AI, design, and a good presenter. Register on SIH portal.
Choose a Problem Statement
Browse problem statements from ministries and organizations. Pick one that matches your team's strengths and interests.
Research & Ideate
Study existing solutions, identify gaps. Brainstorm a unique approach. Prepare a solid idea submission with PPT.
Build a Prototype
Start coding the MVP. Use tech stacks you're comfortable with. Focus on a working demo, not perfection.
Internal Hackathon
Clear your college's internal SIH round. Present your idea, show the prototype, explain the impact.
Grand Finale Prep
If selected, prepare for 36 hours of intense coding. Plan sprints, assign roles, prepare pitch deck. Practice presenting.
Recommended Resources
- SIH Official Portal (sih.gov.in)
- GitHub for version control
- Figma for UI mockups
- Previous SIH winning solutions on YouTube
Pro Tips
- Judges value innovation and impact over complex tech
- Have a clear business model / scalability plan
- Sleep in shifts during the 36-hour finale
- A great pitch can win over a great product
Ready to Start Your Preparation?
Explore more resources and practice materials