TCS hosts AI hackathon for 10,000 non-engineering students

TCS has conducted a large-scale AI hackathon tailored for non-engineering students, engaging over 10,000 participants across 22 colleges. The initiative uses multilingual, voice-first AI tools to make AI skills accessible beyond coding backgrounds.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has rolled out a nationwide initiative aimed at widening AI access by hosting what it describes as the first large-scale AI hackathon designed specifically for non-engineering students. Over 10,000 students from diverse academic streams participated in the programme over six weeks.

The initiative focuses on enabling students without coding experience to build AI-powered solutions, supporting India’s push to create a broader AI-ready workforce.

Nationwide Reach Across Disciplines

The hackathon’s satellite editions covered 22 colleges across 10 states, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra.

Participants came from streams such as:

Arts

Commerce

Nursing

Agriculture

Criminology

Law

Using voice-first AI tools in nine Indian languages, students developed working prototypes within 90–120 minutes, demonstrating how AI tools can lower traditional technical and language barriers.

Flagship Event to Train 2,000 More

A flagship edition — the Tata Bharat YUVAI Hackathon — will be held at the India AI Impact Summit on February 17, where nearly 2,000 additional students are expected to participate in a large single-session AI training programme.

The event will feature real-time progress tracking and AI-powered evaluation systems, allowing students to present their solutions to industry leaders and delegates.

Addressing a Large Untapped Talent Pool

The initiative targets a major segment of India’s student population. Around 62% of undergraduates are enrolled in non-engineering streams, while English fluency remains limited for many learners. By offering structured, multilingual AI assistance, the programme aims to make AI creation accessible beyond traditional technical pathways.

TCS leaders highlighted that the effort is designed to help students from any background build practical digital solutions and bridge the skills gap.

Strategic AI Workforce Push

The programme aligns with TCS’s broader strategy of strengthening India’s AI capabilities by empowering a more diverse talent base. The satellite editions have also helped build mentor networks, laying the foundation for a continuing national initiative focused on digital entrepreneurship and AI fluency.