Bengaluru, 24th February 2026: The C3 Club organised Key-to-Crypto, a one-day technical and logical competition, on 24th February 2026 at the Faculty of Engineering and Technology, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University). The event brought together students in a structured, elimination-based challenge focused on problem-solving, cryptography, analytical thinking, teamwork, and time management.

A total of 160 students enrolled for the competition, forming 40 teams. Out of these, 140 students (35 teams) actively participated on the day of the event. The competition was designed as a multi-round experiential activity that combined logical puzzles, cybersecurity concepts, and treasure-hunt elements, with increasing levels of difficulty in each round.

The competition unfolded across three elimination rounds, each designed to stretch participants beyond routine classroom problem-solving. The opening round, Cryptic Matrix, challenged teams with a 4×4 grid of logical and cryptographic tasks. Working under time pressure, teams had to think quickly, divide roles effectively, and balance speed with accuracy. Twenty-five teams advanced to the second stage, Cypher Chamber, a Capture The Flag (CTF) challenge that tested technical precision and strategic decision-making. Questions ranged from foundational concepts to advanced decoding, rewarding both depth of knowledge and smart risk-taking.

The final round, Escape the Maze, transformed the space into a fast-paced treasure hunt. The top five teams raced to solve layered riddles, collect clue cards, and assemble a correctly sequenced Wallet ID Phrase. The intensity in the room reflected not just competition, but collaboration, trust, and sharp analytical thinking. The first three teams to decode the phrase accurately emerged as winners, closing the event on a high note.

Beyond the competition, what stood out was the energy and engagement of the participants. The event received an average rating of 4.07 out of 5, and 92.9% of participants agreed that activities like this strengthen learning and community involvement. Every participant expressed interest in joining similar events again, with many eager to take on organising and volunteering roles in future C3 initiatives.

Key-to-Crypto was more than a contest. It was an experience that blended technical skill, teamwork, and real-time decision-making offering students a glimpse of how theory transforms into action when curiosity meets challenge.