Question 1

What is Recursive and who is organizing it?

Accepted Answer

Recursive is the inaugural flagship 8-hour in-person hackathon hosted by the GNIT ACM Student Chapter in collaboration with the Department of Information Technology at Guru Nanak Institute of Technology (GNIT), Kolkata. It brings together developers, designers, and builders for eight hours of rapid prototyping, honest software craft, and collaborative problem-solving.

Question 2

Who is eligible to participate?

Accepted Answer

Any undergraduate, postgraduate, or diploma student is eligible to participate. You will need to carry a valid college ID card, or a government ID proof (Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID, passport, or driving licence) if you cannot present one. Whether you are an experienced builder or attending your very first hackathon, beginners are warmly welcome—mentors will be on the floor throughout the event to help you.

Question 3

Is there any registration fee?

Accepted Answer

No. Recursive is 100% free of cost. Admission, high-speed Wi-Fi access, meals, snacks, beverages, exclusive swag kits, and mentorship are provided completely free to all shortlisted participants.

Question 4

How do I apply, and what is the idea submission process?

Accepted Answer

Applying for Recursive is done via Devfolio with an idea review round:

1. Register on Devfolio: Click the 'Apply with Devfolio' button and complete your profile. Form a team of 2 to 4 members (min 2, max 4 builders).
2. Download the Idea Template: Access the official [Recursive ACM Idea Submission Template](https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hWmofLq_oe_ZI_n_gTTszlc0AqkJIQyhz1n0iyBXEO8/copy) on Google Slides.
3. Prepare Your Proposal: Fill out the slides with your problem statement, target track, technical architecture, and impact.
4. Export as PDF & Upload: Save your completed deck as a PDF (max 5–6 slides) and upload it directly in your Devfolio application form before registration closes.
5. Review & RSVP: Applications will be reviewed by the organizing committee. Shortlisted teams will receive an acceptance invitation on Devfolio and email to confirm their attendance (RSVP) for the in-person hackathon at GNIT.

Question 5

What should be included in our Idea Submission PPT?

Accepted Answer

Keep your presentation concise and impactful (5 to 6 slides). We recommend following this structure:

• Slide 1 — Team & Track: Team name, members, college, contact info, and chosen track.
• Slide 2 — Problem Statement: The real-world friction, inefficiency, or challenge you aim to solve.
• Slide 3 — Proposed Solution: Your approach, key features, and core innovation.
• Slide 4 — System Architecture & Stack: Software frameworks, databases, external APIs, ML models, or hardware components.
• Slide 5 — 8-Hour Execution Plan: Minimum Viable Product (MVP) scope to be built and demonstrated live on stage.

Question 6

What is the team size and can I apply solo?

Accepted Answer

Teams must consist of a minimum of 2 and a maximum of 4 members (2–4 builders). Solo participation is not permitted. If you don't have a team yet, you can team up with fellow participants before registration closes or connect with other builders in our Discord community to form your squad.

Question 7

Where is the venue and what is the schedule?

Accepted Answer

The hackathon takes place in person at Guru Nanak Institute of Technology (GNIT), Sodepur, Kolkata. Check-in starts at 9:00 AM, the official 8-hour hacking sprint runs from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, followed immediately by project demos, judging, and the award ceremony.

Question 8

Can I work on a pre-existing project or start early?

Accepted Answer

No. All code and designs must be created during the official 8-hour hacking window. You are encouraged to come with ideas, sketches, and plans, and you may use open-source libraries, public APIs, and frameworks, but writing core application code beforehand is strictly prohibited.

Question 9

What should I bring on the day of the event?

Accepted Answer

Please bring your laptop, charger, power strip/extension cord, a valid college ID card (or government ID proof if you don't have one), and any specific hardware components your project might require. High-speed campus Wi-Fi, dedicated power stations, meals, and snacks will be provided throughout the day.

Question 10

How will projects be evaluated and what are the prizes?

Accepted Answer

Projects will be evaluated by industry judges and academic mentors based on four core criteria: technical depth, problem innovation, design/UX craft, and the quality of your live demo. Cash prizes, track awards, certificates, and sponsor perks will be awarded to top teams.

Questions people actually ask.

Guru Nanak Institute of TechnologySodepur, Kolkata

Campus Address

Transit & Getting Here

The hill is quiet right now.
Come make some noise.

Questions people actually ask.

Guru Nanak Institute of TechnologySodepur, Kolkata

Campus Address

Transit & Getting Here

The hill is quiet right now.
Come make some noise.

Questions people actually ask.

Guru Nanak Institute of TechnologySodepur, Kolkata

Campus Address

Transit & Getting Here

The hill is quiet right now.Come make some noise.

Questions people actually ask.

Guru Nanak Institute of TechnologySodepur, Kolkata

Campus Address

Transit & Getting Here

The hill is quiet right now.Come make some noise.

The hill is quiet right now.
Come make some noise.

The hill is quiet right now.
Come make some noise.