When we talk about hackathons in West Bengal, there are quite a few names that come to mind, but HackSpire’26 is definitely one of the hackathons to look forward to. Organized by the FIEM ACM Student Chapter, HackSpire’26 is bringing together technology, creativity and the cultural spirit of Durga Puja under one theme — “Where Innovation Meets Shakti.”
For me, one of the best hackathons in West Bengal is HackSpire, especially because it is not just about sitting for hours and writing code. It is about building something useful, working with a team, meeting new people and actually experiencing the hackathon culture.
What makes HackSpire’26 different?
This edition is a 26-hour in-person hackathon, happening on 2nd–3rd October 2026 at FIEM, Kolkata. Participation is free, and shortlisted participants will get access to food, Wi-Fi, mentors, swag and the complete on-ground hackathon experience.
The theme, “Where Innovation Meets Shakti,” is probably one of the most interesting parts of this edition. HackSpire connects different areas of technology with the ideas and symbolism of Shakti.
The six tracks are:
🤖 AI — Divya Drishti
⛓️ Blockchain — Dharma & Trust
🛡️ Cybersecurity — The Divine Shield
🌾 Agriculture — Blessings of Annapurna
⚙️ Robotics — Yantras of Vishwakarma
🎮 Gaming — The Grand Maya
So whether you're into AI, robotics, cybersecurity or gaming, there is a space where you can build something around the HackSpire theme.
The PPT submission is important
Before getting to the actual 26-hour hackathon, teams have to go through the selection process. And yes, the PPT submission is mandatory.
According to the official HackSpire timetable:
Important Event Date
Team Registration 17 August – 7 September 2026
PPT Submission 3 – 8 September 2026
First Approval 15 September 2026
Second Approval 20 September 2026
Final Approval 24 September 2026
Hackathon Begins 2 October 2026
Hackathon Ends 3 October 2026
One thing teams should definitely keep in mind is that the official PPT template needs to be used. The builder guide recommends keeping the presentation clear and focused on things like the problem, solution, user flow, tech stack, uniqueness, feasibility and impact.
So don't wait until the last few hours to make your PPT. 😭 A good idea is important, but explaining that idea properly can make a huge difference.
And then comes the real challenge — 26 hours
Once selected, it's time to actually build.
HackSpire’26 starts on 2 October, with participant check-in, the opening ceremony and then the hackathon officially kicking off. Teams will get mentoring sessions, interact with mentors and judges, and spend the next 26 hours turning their idea into something they can actually demonstrate.
By the next day, the clock runs out and the final evaluation begins.
That's honestly what makes hackathons exciting — the idea that you start with a blank screen and, 26 hours later, you have something you can actually show.
More than just coding
HackSpire’26 is also about the people you meet during those 26 hours.
You might come in with an idea, but along the way you learn something from another team, get stuck on a bug at 3 AM, ask a mentor for help, redesign your entire project at the last minute, or simply make friends with people who are just as crazy about technology as you are.
And that's what a good hackathon should feel like.
HackSpire’26 is bringing together code, creativity, culture and collaboration — all under one roof.
So, if you have an idea sitting somewhere in your notes, this might be the time to finally build it.
The PPT window is already here. The clock is ticking. ⏳
Where Innovation Meets Shakti.
See you at HackSpire’26. 🚀🔥
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