PNB and IIT Kanpur Launch PSB Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 to Strengthen Banking Security
Punjab National Bank (PNB) has announced the PSB Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 in collaboration with IIT Kanpur. The national-level hackathon aims to encourage innovation in cybersecurity solutions for the banking and financial sector.
The initiative is part of the Public Sector Banks (PSB) Hackathon Series supported by the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance and the Indian Banks’ Association. The event seeks to bring together talented students, developers, and cybersecurity enthusiasts to solve real-world digital security challenges faced by banks.
Event Timeline
The hackathon will run from February 2026 to April 2026 and will involve multiple stages including idea submission, team shortlisting, and final prototype presentations.
- Registration Period: 2 February – 28 February 2026
- Clarification Sessions: 2 March – 6 March 2026
- Idea Submission Deadline: 10 March 2026
- Shortlisting of Teams: 15 March – 20 March 2026
- Final Teams Announcement: 1 April 2026
- Final Prototype Presentation: 10 – 15 April 2026
Prize Pool
Participants have the opportunity to win prizes worth up to ₹11 lakh. In addition to monetary rewards, winners will receive national recognition and certificates for their contributions to cybersecurity innovation.
Hackathon Objective
The primary goal of the hackathon is to develop advanced cybersecurity solutions that can protect public sector banking infrastructure from modern cyber threats.
One of the key technical challenges involves building an enterprise-level software scanner capable of verifying the deployment of quantum-proof cryptographic systems and maintaining a cryptographic bill of materials for public-facing banking applications such as web servers and APIs.
Eligibility and Team Structure
The hackathon is open to students from recognized universities and educational institutions across India. Participants must form teams consisting of three to four members. Each team is encouraged to work under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
Encouraging Innovation in Banking Security
Cybersecurity has become a major concern for financial institutions as digital banking and online transactions continue to expand rapidly. Events such as the PSB Cybersecurity Hackathon provide a platform for students and innovators to contribute solutions that strengthen the security framework of public sector banks.
By collaborating with academic institutions and young developers, PNB aims to accelerate innovation and build the next generation of cybersecurity technologies for the banking ecosystem.
Conclusion
The PSB Cybersecurity Hackathon 2026 represents an important initiative to promote collaboration between banks, academic institutions, and the technology community. With increasing cyber threats targeting financial systems worldwide, such innovation-driven events play a crucial role in developing secure and resilient digital banking infrastructure.
Source: Official announcement from Punjab National Bank Cybersecurity Hackathon page.
