New Delhi, Feb 13: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has conducted the world’s first large-scale AI hackathon specially designed for students with no coding or engineering background. Over the past six weeks, more than 10,000 students from non-engineering disciplines like Arts, Commerce, Nursing, Agriculture, Criminology, Law amongst others, participated in satellite editions of the AI Hackathon across 22 colleges in 10 states. Using voice-first AI tools available in nine Indian languages, participants identified real-world challenges within their fields and developed prototypes, most within 90 to 120 minutes. The initiative underscores TCS’s commitment to digital inclusion and to empowering non-technical students to take part in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.
Building on the satellite editions, the flagship Tata Bharat YUVAi Hackathon at the India AI Impact Summit will bring together nearly 2,000 students. Featuring real-time progress visualization and AI-powered evaluation, the event will serve as a platform to showcase prototypes to industry leaders, delegates and dignitaries. By harnessing advanced AI and fostering collaborative learning, TCS reinforces its commitment to developing a diverse, digitally skilled workforce and driving sustainable innovation in India’s technology ecosystem.
Ashok Krish, VP and Head, AI Practice, TCS, said, “You don’t need a computer science degree to build software—just curiosity and AI. This hackathon gives students from any background the chance to build something real, in their own language, and walk away knowing they can do this. That’s how you close the skills gap and create digital entrepreneurs. This supports TCS’ aspiration to become the world’s largest AI-led technology services company by building an AI-ready workforce in India.”
By equipping non-coders with practical AI competencies, TCS is addressing a significant industry need for a diverse, digitally skilled workforce and reinforcing India’s position as a hub for innovation in the global digital economy. The initiative addresses a vast and underserved segment of India’s talent pool. Of the country’s undergraduate population, 62% study Arts, Science, and Commerce, and only 10–12% of Indians are fluent in English. The hackathon removes barriers of language, technical training, and prior coding exposure by providing structured, multilingual AI assistance—enabling participants to move from problem identification to a working app in a single session.
Since January 2026, satellite editions of this initiative have been organized across colleges in all regions of India, including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh, and Maharashtra. These events have been essential for validating the program at scale and building a strong network of mentors to support the flagship hackathon and future editions, thereby establishing a continuous national initiative that converts India’s domain-rich student population from technology consumers into technology creators.