Hackathon – TCS HackQuest Season 8

Requirements:

• The Contest is open to students (enrolled in any recognized college /university / academic institute) in India who will be graduating in the academic year 2024 with any of the B. Tech, B.E, M. Tech, M.E, BCA, MCA, B.Sc, B.S, M.Sc, M.S degrees in any specialization
• TCS reserves the right to take necessary steps and seek any relevant documents to verify the eligibility of the participants mentioned above.
• Additionally, the contest will be considered void if participation in the contest and/or conducting the contest is prohibited by law.

Participants:

• Participants can take part in the contest only as an individual. Team/Group participation is NOT allowed.
• TCS reserves the right to assess each participant’s eligibility and compliance with the rules at any point during the validity of the contest.
• Participants must promptly respond with any necessary evidence to verify their eligibility and/or compliance upon TCS’ request.
• TCS reserves the right to refuse entry to any participant and shall not be obliged to provide any explanations thereof.
• Furthermore, there are no participation/registration/submission/contest related fees.
• However, expenses, if any, arising from an individual’s participation in the contest shall be borne by that individual. TCS will not sponsor or reimburse any such expenses.

Registration Process Of The TCS HackQuest Season 8:

• Once the registration window is open, the participants are required to register for the contest on the Site (https://www.hackquest.tcsapps.com) with a valid TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number).
  • To create a valid TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number), participant needs to login to the TCS NextStep (https://nextstep.tcs.com/campus/) in the ‘IT’ section (Not BPS), fill the required fields, and submit. The participant will receive a pop-up with the TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number). TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number) is mandatory for participating in the contest.
  • Apart from the TCS NextStep reference ID (CT/DT number) generated through TCS Next Step, the participant will receive a unique credential to take part in the contest. This credential is of utmost importance and should not be shared with any other participants.
• During registration, participants interested in the contest will register on the site along with the necessary profile details.

Structure of the Contest:

• The contest will be conducted in two rounds. The first round (“Round 1”) is an online ‘Catch the Flag’ competition where all participants can take part and they will be shortlisted for next rounds basis qualification.
• Furthermore, participants shortlisted after ‘Round 1’ will move to the second round (“Round 2”), which will be conducted over (Microsoft TEAMS/Webex) and participants will have to keep their camera switched ‘ON’ during the entire period of the ‘Round 2’
• Therefore, final round will be conducted in person. It will be a Jury evaluation round at TCS premises. The details of which will be intimated to the qualified participants.
• TCS will arrange for remote modalities of evaluating a select list of participants from Round 1. Shortlisted participants are required to stay tuned for real-time updates on Round 2, dates, format etc.
• Participants shall be solely responsible for keeping track of the announcements and participating accordingly.

The participant represents and warrants that:

• the submission made/submitted is an original work or invention created solely by him/her;
• he/she owns all rights in the submission or otherwise have right to submit the submission;
• the submission does not violate any contractual obligation; and
• the submission does not (i) violate any applicable laws and/or (ii) cause any form of plagiarism/infringement whether in full or in part.

The submission must not contain content:

• that is inappropriate, indecent, obscene, violent, hateful, tortuous, defamatory, slanderous
• that promotes racism or hatred against any group or individual
• that promotes discrimination based on race, sex, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age
• that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in the state or province or region where the submission is developed.

TCS reserves:

• the right to alter the duration of contest rounds at any time, without providing any justification.
• the right to reject all entries for a certain challenge statement that does not meet the judging and assessment criteria.
• Moreover, it also reserves the absolute right to disqualify a participant.
• TCS will be the sole authority to decide the winners of the contest and the decision of TCS will be final and binding on all the participants.

Additionally:

• The submissions will be evaluated by a jury panel consisting of experts from the TCS Cybersecurity team.
• Participants agree that the evaluation criteria listed above are indicative, and the jury panel will be free to use their expertise to evaluate the submissions.
• Moreover, mere participation in the contest and sending/submitting the submissions do not entitle the participant to win the contest.
• Therefore, the selection process may vary and shall be as per TCS’ sole discretion.
• The participant or any third party shall have no right to question the process of selection.
• Henceforth, TCS may determine the correctness, quality, and validity of the submissions at its sole discretion.

Prizes/Awards/Rewards Of The TCS HackQuest Season 8:

• The Participant hereby agrees that mere declaration of being announced as a winner shall not entitle him/her to the prize/award/reward.
• Furthermore, only upon complying with the Rules and fulfilling all conditions mentioned herein, to the satisfaction of TCS, shall the winning be validated.
• Moreover, the top 10 Participants from Round 2 will be invited to attend the award ceremony and interact with TCS leadership.
• Therefore, the top performing Participants who clear Round 2 may stand a chance to receive ‘Ninja or Digital’ provisional job offers subject to interview process and other selection criteria as per TCS’ sole discretion and policies in effect.
• Therefore, total prizes worth up to INR 5 Lakhs are given to the top-performing participants.
• Furthermore, certification of merit will be awarded to all top performing Participants.
• Additionally, exceptional performers will be given a chance to work with the TCS Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence.