Intellithon 2025

DEPARTMENT OF INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS AND CYBERSECURITY

Intellithon '25, the distinguished 24-hour National AI Grand Challenge powered by Zoho, stands as a landmark initiative by the Department of Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science. Presented as a cornerstone of the institution’s Ruby Jubilee Celebrations, this prestigious event is a powerful testament to our unwavering commitment to fostering innovation, collaboration, and unparalleled excellence within the field of Artificial Intelligence.

The Department of Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity (DISC) proudly hosted Intellithon '25 as a premier national platform designed to unite the most brilliant, curious, and passionate innovators from across the country. The core mission was to challenge these emerging talents to tackle pressing real-world problems through the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence.

More than just a competition, Intellithon '25 was envisioned as an incubator for groundbreaking ideas. It provided a collaborative and resource-rich environment where creativity and technical depth converged, empowering students to explore, ideate, and innovate using state-of-the-art AI tools and frameworks. Here, imagination was systematically evolved into tangible, implementable solutions.

Participation Overview
Intellithon ‘25 witnessed an overwhelming response from students across India, reflecting the growing interest in AI-driven innovation and interdisciplinary research. Participants represented a diverse array of disciplines, including Artificial Intelligence, data science, and cyber security, showcasing AI’s universal relevance.

Partnership with Zoho
A significant highlight of INTELLITHON 2025 was its collaboration with Zoho Corporation, which served as the Official Cloud Partner. Zoho’s involvement elevated the hackathon’s quality and depth by integrating industry-grade tools and real-world use cases.

Key aspects of this partnership included:

• Hosting the event on Catalyst by Zoho, a full-stack serverless development platform.
• Extending ₹5,00,000 worth of Catalyst Cloud Credits to participating teams.
• Providing expert mentorship and guidance from Zoho’s AI and engineering professionals throughout the event.

Inaugural Ceremony

The event commenced with the Inaugural Ceremony on 9th October 2025 at 10:00 AM in the MGR Auditorium. The event was graced by eminent guests from Zoho and the technology industry:

• Mr. Rajendran Dandapani, Business Solutions Evangelist, Zoho Corporation
• Mr. Egappan, Data Scientist, Zoho Corporation
• Ms. Kavitha Ayyapan, Vice President – Cyber Security & CISO, Neurealm Technologies

Their addresses inspired participants to think beyond code — to create solutions that are socially impactful, secure, and ethically grounded.

A defining moment of the inaugural ceremony was the official unveiling of the new logo for the Department of Intelligent Systems and Cybersecurity. The emblem symbolized the fusion of intelligence and vigilance, representing the department’s dual focus on AI innovation and cybersecurity resilience.

Video Link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/120_VyERsoAV_W9ckJHbJ9V5h-41588TF/view?usp=sharing

HITS–Zoho CSR Initiatives Meeting
Following the inauguration of Intellithon ’25, a meeting on HITS–Zoho CSR Initiatives was held in the Board Room of the Founder's Block at Hindustan Institute of Technology and Science.

The meeting was chaired by Dr. Ashok George Verghese, Pro Chancellor, HITS, and Mr. Rajendran Dandapani from Zoho Corporation, in the presence of HITS academicians. Discussions centered around strengthening collaboration between HITS and Zoho through impactful CSR initiatives and academic partnerships.

Hackathon Kick-off and Technology Focus

The 24-hour AI Grand Challenge officially began at 11:00 AM, immediately after the problem statements were released. Teams were given diverse AI-driven challenges encompassing domains such as healthcare, sustainability, finance, cybersecurity, and data intelligence.

Technology Focus Areas

Participants explored emerging technologies including:

• Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning
• Natural Language Processing (NLP)
• Computer Vision
• Internet of Things (IoT) and Smart Systems
• Cybersecurity and Ethical AI

Over the course of the next 24 hours, the campus transformed into an innovation ecosystem buzzing with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. Dedicated labs and innovation spaces operated non-stop, guided by 18 Zoho mentors and faculty experts from DISC.

The grand finale of Intellithon'25 culminated in an intensive evaluation round, meticulously designed to scrutinize both the technical ingenuity of the projects and the persuasive clarity of their presentation. Each team was afforded a dedicated platform to demonstrate their working prototype, articulate the strategic rationale behind their design, and compellingly showcase the innovation's potential for real-world impact. This pivotal phase served as a comprehensive measure of both deep technical expertise and exceptional communication prowess.

Evaluation process

The evaluation process reflected academic integrity and industrial rigor. The Jury Panel comprised 18 experts, including senior engineers from Zoho, academicians, and AI professionals. Mentors interacted regularly with teams to ensure that evaluation was not merely judgmental, but mentorship-oriented, encouraging learning and growth.

Prize Distribution and Valedictory

The Valedictory and Prize Distribution Ceremony on Day 2 was graced by Mr. Ramki R, Head of AI, Zoho CRM & Catalyst, and Mr. David Ryan, Management Executive, Hindustan College of Arts and Science. The winning teams were recognized for their outstanding innovation, technical excellence, and compelling societal impact:

INTELLITHON 2025 – The 24-Hour National AI Grand Challenge was not just a competition but a celebration of intellect, innovation, and imagination. The event demonstrated how emerging technologies, when guided by purpose and ethics, can contribute meaningfully to society.

Media Links:

1. https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/news/over-500-innovators-take-part-in-hits-intellithon-2025-ai-grand-challenge-driving-tech-solutions-for-un-sdgs-101760444952859.html

2. https://chennaipatrika.com/post/over-500-innovators-converge-at-hits-intellithon-2025-ai-grand-challenge-to-drive-tech-solutions-for-un-sdgs

3. https://medicircle.in/over-500-innovators-converge-at-hits-intellithon-2025-ai-grand-challenge-to-drive-tech-solutions-for-un-sdgs