Coding Under Pressure: DevCraft Challenge Blends Innovation with Real-Time Problem Solving

Bengaluru, 7th April 2026: Creativity met competition at JAIN (Deemed-to-be University), Global Campus, as the Department of Information Science and Engineering (ISE), through its Infosphere Technical Club, organised DevCraft: Simon’s Command Line on 6th and 7th April 2026. Designed as a two-day technical innovation challenge, the event brought together students to test their coding skills, adaptability, and problem-solving abilities in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.

The challenge opened with an address by Dr. K. Manivannan, Professor and Head of the Department of ISE, who highlighted the importance of developing solutions that are both innovative and socially relevant. Guided by Faculty Coordinator Dr. P. Lokaiah, the event saw participation from 40 teams, each tasked with tackling real-world problem statements across domains such as Cybersecurity, Generative AI, FinTech, and Healthcare.

What set DevCraft apart was its unique “Simon Says” format, where participants encountered surprise mini-challenges alongside their primary tasks. This element demanded quick thinking and adaptability, pushing students to refine their ideas under evolving constraints. By the end of Day 1, the competitive intensity led to the selection of the top 20 teams, who advanced to the final round.

Day 2 shifted focus to presentation and evaluation, as shortlisted teams showcased their prototypes and solution architectures before an expert panel. The jury included Mr. Sujithkumar P. Sukumaran, Solution Architect at CGI, along with internal faculty members Dr. Sivakumar and Dr. Anitha. Projects were assessed on innovation, technical execution, and their potential for real-world impact.

The event concluded with the recognition of the top three teams, who were awarded shields, certificates, and cash prizes from a total pool of ?20,000. Beyond the accolades, the experience offered participants valuable exposure to collaborative development, rapid prototyping, and industry-oriented evaluation standards.

Supported by the dedicated efforts of student coordinators and institutional leadership, DevCraft underscored the importance of experiential learning in engineering education. The challenge not only strengthened technical competencies but also encouraged students to think critically, innovate responsibly, and prepare for the evolving demands of the technology landscape.