Bengaluru, 6th March 2026: The ANOVA Club of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering - Data Science at Faculty of Engineering and Technology, JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) conducted NOVATHON 1.0, a one-day hackathon focused on Generative AI and Data Science, on 6th March 2026 at  FET Block, JAIN Global Campus, Kanakapura Road.

The hackathon was organised in collaboration with HCL GUVI, which served as the industry partner and supported the event by providing expert jury members and professional insights. The initiative aimed to encourage students to apply their technical knowledge to develop innovative solutions to real-world challenges using emerging technologies.

The event began with a formal inauguration in the presence of Shri Ravindra Bhandary, Vice President, JAIN Group, along with academic leaders including Dr. Deepak Sinha, Deputy Director – Industry Interface & Student Relations; Dr. Benaka Prasad S. B., Deputy Dean – Student Affairs; Dr. Kamalesh Tiwari, Head of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering; and Dr. Manujakshi B. C., Program Head – Data Science. Faculty members and programme heads from various departments were also present.

NOVATHON 1.0 brought together student teams who worked intensively throughout the day to analyse problem statements and develop technology-driven solutions. The hackathon focused on practical applications of artificial intelligence and data science across domains such as banking, cybersecurity, manufacturing, insurance technology, and human resource analytics.

Industry experts from HCL GUVI served as jury members and interacted with participants during the event. The panel included Mr. Pavan Kumar Reddy, Regional Manager; Dr. Banu Prakash M, Chief Catalyst; and Mr. Om Prakash Chaurasia, Subject Matter Expert. Projects were evaluated based on innovation, technical feasibility, scalability, and clarity of presentation.

At the conclusion of the hackathon, the jury recognised three teams for their project proposals and technical presentations. The team Black Vector, comprising Srinjay Singh, S. Shivaapriya, and Shivansh Gupta, secured first place. Ocular, represented by Shanthan T., Pranavi A., and Varun Sahukar, placed second, while InsightX, consisting of O. Nikhil Simha, V. Tokesh, C. V. V. Anand, and K. Leela Krishna, received the third prize.

NOVATHON 1.0 provided students with an opportunity to engage in collaborative problem-solving and prototype development within a competitive environment. The event also strengthened interaction between students and industry professionals, highlighting the role of hackathons in promoting applied learning and innovation in emerging technology fields.