The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) and Russia’s Rosatom (State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom) have launched ‘Atomic Hack India 2026’. This is a national innovation challenge inviting undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students to develop solutions for power grid challenges associated with nuclear and renewable energy sources. Registration for Atomic Hack India 2026 remains open until October 20, 2026.
The hackathon will focus on designing a ‘Zero-Sequence Directional Overcurrent Protection’ (ZDOP) scheme for a 220 kV transmission line that integrates nuclear and renewable energy sources.
In this challenge, participants must develop a protection system capable of detecting and identifying electrical faults in the transmission line, thereby ensuring the safe and reliable operation of the power grid. The participants will use ‘REPEAT VISION’, a software platform developed by ETC GET, a subsidiary of Rosatom. This platform will be used for one-dimensional modelling and creating digital twins.
Digital twins are virtual models of physical systems used to simulate their behaviour and test their responses under various operating conditions. Participants will get complimentary software access, an initial training webinar, and guidance from Rosatom engineers and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) professors. No prior background with the platform is needed.
The contest consists of two phases. The online qualifying round runs from October 20 through October 28, 2026. Subsequently, the 25 shortlisted teams will participate in a 48-hour grand finale scheduled to be held at the IIT Bombay campus in Mumbai from December 4 to 6.
Winning teams will receive various opportunities, including a sponsored research trip to Moscow to visit Rosatom’s engineering centers, internship opportunities at ETC GET, and certificates.
This challenge is being organized by JSC ETC GET in partnership with the Rosatom Corporate Academy and IIT Bombay’s ‘Research Hub for Green Energy and Sustainability’ (GESH IITB). The hackathon takes place at a time when India is planning to expand its nuclear energy capacity, aiming for a target of 100 GW by 2047.
Integrating nuclear energy with renewable energy sources increases technical requirements for grid stability and security, making transmission systems and fault detection key areas for engineering research. Eligible undergraduate (UG) and postgraduate (PG) engineering students may register for ‘Atomic Hack India 2026’ by October 20.
