- Edition
- 2026
- Final round
- Bengaluru, IN
- Registration
- 21 Sep — 22 Oct
Investigate. Verify. Connect the evidence.Earn your place in the Bengaluru Final.
- Challenge categories
- 08
- Prize pool
- ₹2.25L
Virtual preliminary
31 Oct 2026 · 9:30 AM IST · 5 hrs
Grand Final
14 Nov 2026 · Bengaluru
- ₹2.25L
- Prize pool
- 6
- Finalist teams
- 5h
- Virtual preliminary
- 2
- Students per team
Two rounds. One national challenge.
Every team starts online.The Top 6 advance to the Final in Bengaluru.
Virtual preliminary
Five hours of online OSINT investigation. Solve the challenges, support your findings with evidence, and compete for a place in the Top 6.
- When
- 31 Oct 2026 · 9:30 AM IST
- Where
- Online · across India
Grand Final
The Top 6 teams compete on-site in Bengaluru in a six-hour OSINT investigation final.
- When
- 14 Nov 2026 · 9:30 AM IST
- Where
- Securemojo Bengaluru HQ · on-site
Start with the right investigative mindset.
Before the Preliminary Round, registered participants can join a 90-minute OSINT Foundations Workshop covering core OSINT concepts, investigation methodology, tools, source verification, evidence handling and ethical boundaries.
90 minutes
- Date
- 24 Oct 2026
- Format
- Online
- Attendance
- Optional
- OSINT fundamentals & investigative thinking
- Search strategies, tools & investigative pivots
- Source verification & evidence handling
- Reporting findings clearly and reproducibly
- Ethical boundaries & responsible OSINT
- Responsible use of AI in OSINT investigations
Fair playThe workshop introduces OSINT concepts and methodology. It will not reveal challenge clues, solution paths or competition answers.
Your road to the Final.
Four steps. Two rounds. One shot at the Top 6.
- 01
Register
Register your 2-member team and pay the one-off team entry fee.
- 02
Team up & verify
Add your teammate and verify both participants using valid college IDs.
- 03
Take the preliminary
Compete in the 5-hour virtual OSINT Preliminary Round and submit evidence-backed investigations.
- 04
Reach the Final
Finish in the Top 6 and advance to the 6-hour on-site Grand Final at Securemojo Bengaluru HQ.
One team. One fee.
Charged once, per team. If you make the Top 6,there’s no additional Final-round entry fee.
Team entry
₹900
per 2-member team
One registration covers both members of your team.
- 2 participants per team
- 5-hour Virtual Preliminary
- Optional OSINT Foundations Workshop
- Top 6 eligible for the Bengaluru Final
With your entry
What's included
Top 6
Advance to Bengaluru
Your registration starts with the Virtual Preliminary. Finish among the Top 6 and your team advances to the on-site Grand Final at Securemojo Bengaluru HQ.
- OSINT Foundations Workshop · 24 Oct
- Virtual Preliminary · 31 Oct
- Grand Final · 14 Nov
- ₹2.25 lakh total prize pool
Please noteRegistration fee is non-refundable. Securemojo provides accommodation in Bengaluru for finalists; travel to and from Bengaluru is arranged and paid for by the participants.
₹2.25 lakh in total prizes.
Cash prizes for the top three teams.Plus a ₹25,000 Mojo Voucher each.
- Rank 01
₹75,000
+ ₹25,000 Mojo Voucher
Winner
Total value₹1,00,000
- Rank 02
₹50,000
+ ₹25,000 Mojo Voucher
1st Runner-up
Total value₹75,000
- Rank 03
₹25,000
+ ₹25,000 Mojo Voucher
2nd Runner-up
Total value₹50,000
Beyond the podiumThe Top 6 teams earn a place in the Bengaluru Final and receive separate Finalist Certificates. Every team that finishes the Preliminary gets a Certificate of Participation.
Key dates
All times are IST. Any schedule changes will be communicated to registered participants.
- 01Registration closes and teams lock on 22 Oct.
Registration window
21 SEP — 22 OCT 2026Online
- 0290 minutes · time to be announced.
OSINT Foundations Workshop
24 OCT 2026Online · optional
- 03Top 6 teams advance to the Grand Final.
Virtual Preliminary
31 OCT 2026 · 9:30 AM ISTOnline · 5 hours
- 04Following scoring review, appeals and finalist verification.
Top 6 finalists confirmed
DATE TBAOnline
- 05Six hours on site. The ₹2,25,000 in prizes is decided here.
Grand Final
14 NOV 2026 · 9:30 AM ISTSecuremojo Bengaluru HQ · on-site
FAQ
Quick answers to the most common questions. For full competition terms, scoring and rules, see the official Rulebook.
01Who can enter?
College and university students in India can participate in teams of exactly 2. Both members must complete student verification using valid college/university IDs. Multiple teams from the same institution are allowed.
02What does it cost?
Registration costs ₹900 per 2-member team. The fee is non-refundable, and no additional competition entry fee applies if your team reaches the Final.
03How does it work?
The competition has two rounds. The 5-hour Virtual Preliminary takes place on 31 October 2026 at 9:30 AM IST. The Top 6 teams advance to the 6-hour Grand Final at Securemojo Bengaluru HQ on 14 November 2026 at 9:30 AM IST.
04What am I actually judged on?
Challenges are scored on Accuracy (70%), Evidence Quality (20%), and Methodology & Reproducibility (10%). A correct answer must be supported by credible evidence and a clear investigative process to receive full marks.
05Can I use AI tools?
Yes — with disclosure. AI may assist your research, but AI output is not evidence. Every finding and source must be independently verified.
06What is covered for finalists?
Securemojo provides accommodation in Bengaluru. Participants must cover their own travel. Internet will be provided at the venue; finalists should bring their own laptop(s).
07Is the OSINT Foundations Workshop mandatory?
No. The 90-minute workshop on 24 Oct 2026 is optional and available to registered participants.
Still stuckWrite to help@smosint26.com.
Enter
Two students. Five hours. Everything to prove.
One entry per team of 2, covering both rounds. Registration runs 21 September to 22 October 2026.