What happens when hundreds of ambitious students, cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and a competitive spirit come together under one roof? The answer unfolded at Chettinad CodeFest 2026, where bright young minds transformed ideas into innovative solutions and proved that the future of technology is already taking shape.
Organised by OCTS Pvt. Ltd., the hackathon brought together aspiring innovators from across Tamil Nadu for an immersive experience that challenged them to think beyond textbooks and apply their knowledge to real-world problems. More than a competition, Chettinad CodeFest became a platform where creativity, collaboration and technology came together to inspire the next generation of innovators.
With Artificial Intelligence at the heart of the event, participants explored emerging technologies, developed practical solutions and strengthened their problem-solving, presentation and teamwork skills. Throughout the hackathon, OCTS also provided food and refreshments, creating a welcoming environment where students could focus on learning, networking and refining their ideas.
Strong Student Participation Highlights Interest in Technology
The response to Chettinad CodeFest 2026 reflected the growing enthusiasm for technology among students. During the month-long registration period, 205 teams from Chennai, Coimbatore, Pudukkottai, Tiruchirappalli, Thanjavur and other parts of Tamil Nadu signed up to participate.
The competition began with a one-hour online quiz featuring multiple-choice and descriptive questions covering technical subjects and technology-related current affairs. Designed to test knowledge, analytical thinking and decision-making under pressure, the opening round challenged every participating team. At the end of the first stage, 50 teams earned a place in the project presentation round.
Turning Ideas into Intelligent Solutions
The second round shifted the focus from theory to application. Shortlisted teams presented projects based on Artificial Intelligence and other emerging technologies, demonstrating how innovative thinking could address practical challenges.
Participants explained their concepts before a panel of judges, answered technical questions and defended their ideas with confidence. Beyond the competition itself, the experience gave students valuable exposure to professional project presentations, technical discussions and critical feedback.
The Final AI Showdown
Following the presentations, eight teams advanced to the grand finale after impressing the judging panel with their creativity and technical understanding.
The final round challenged participants to explore agentic AI and AI-powered business research agents, pushing them to develop more advanced concepts and refine their solutions further. After evaluating the finalists, the judges selected three winning teams.
The first-place winner received ₹30,000, while the second- and third-place winners were awarded ₹20,000 and ₹10,000, respectively. Participation certificates were also presented to every participant, recognising their effort and commitment throughout the competition.
Dr. T. K. Prabhu Celebrates Young Innovators
The prize distribution ceremony marked a memorable conclusion to Chettinad CodeFest 2026. The event was formally inaugurated by Dr. Suresh Babu, a member of the Board of Directors at OCTS.
Adding further prominence to the occasion, Dr. T. K. Prabhu, Honourable Minister for Minerals and Mines of Tamil Nadu and a member of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), graced the ceremony as the chief guest.
Presenting prizes to the winning teams, Dr. T. K. Prabhu congratulated the students and encouraged them to continue exploring technology, innovation and entrepreneurship while applying their skills to solve real-world challenges.
Speaking at the event, he highlighted the importance of discipline, punctuality and dedication. Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay, he said, "I have never seen such a disciplined leader. I believe we can all learn from him."
Highlighting the importance of the event to Karaikudi, he added, "This place is truly Karaikudi's pride and jewel. Thank you for bringing this honour and pride to our community."
Dr. T. K. Prabhu also encouraged greater investment in India and urged young people to become active contributors to the country's future. "Each one of you is an inspiration. Together, we can inspire others and build a better future for India," he said.
OCTS CEO Reflects on a Decade-Long Association
During the ceremony, the CEO of OCTS thanked Dr. T. K. Prabhu for accepting the invitation and reflected on the Minister's long association with the organisation.
He recalled that Dr. T. K. Prabhu had visited OCTS nearly a decade ago when the company was still in its early stages, offering his support and good wishes to the team. The CEO said those early interactions remained a memorable part of OCTS' journey.
He also spoke about the Minister's leadership, humility and dedication to public service.
"When you took the oath as Minister, it felt as though we had taken that oath with you," he shared.
Speaking about Karaikudi, the CEO highlighted the city's rich educational legacy and acknowledged the contribution of Alagappa Chettiar, whose vision helped shape the region's educational development.
Addressing Dr. T. K. Prabhu directly, the CEO added, "When I first saw you, I felt that you represented the next generation of leadership. I truly believe that your influence will continue to grow over the next 50 years."
Referring to the responsibilities carried by public leaders, the CEO added, "We may make decisions that affect a few people, or perhaps a hundred, whereas the decisions made by our Minister and Chief Minister affect the lives of millions of people. We should all be grateful for their service to our state."
He expressed confidence that the Minister's public service would continue to benefit Karaikudi, neighbouring regions and the people of Tamil Nadu.
Celebrating the Champions
The event concluded with the announcement of the winners:
- First Place: V. Nanda Kishore from SRM Institute of Science and Technology received ₹30,000.
- Second Place: S. Krishnakanth from SASTRA University received ₹20,000.
- Third Place: P. Srithaksha and S. Devaranjan of the Potter Protocol team from Coimbatore Institute of Technology received ₹10,000.
Inspiring Tomorrow's Innovators
Chettinad CodeFest 2026 showcased more than technical talent, it demonstrated the creativity, determination and innovation emerging from young minds across Tamil Nadu.
By giving students the opportunity to explore Artificial Intelligence, collaborate with peers and solve practical challenges, OCTS created a platform that connected education with real-world innovation. As AI continues to shape industries around the world, initiatives like Chettinad CodeFest are helping prepare the next generation of innovators to lead that transformation.
