The Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, has launched the third edition of its national-level cyber hackathon, Terrier Cyber Quest 2026, with registration open until August 31. The initiative seeks to bring together students, researchers, technology professionals, innovators and other technical talent to develop solutions for emerging defence, cybersecurity and information-domain challenges.
The Ministry of Defence said the competition will focus on Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, threat mitigation and digital awareness. The programme also aims to encourage indigenous technology solutions relevant to national security.
THREE COMPETITION TRACKS
Terrier Cyber Quest 2026, also known as TCQ 3.0, will be conducted through three competition tracks: Bug Hunting, AI Kavach and Creators Challenge.
The Bug Hunting track will begin with an online Capture-the-Flag qualifier and move to an in-person live sandbox finale. Participants will identify and document vulnerabilities in simulated critical infrastructure environments.
AI Kavach will focus on artificial intelligence and machine learning solutions for predictive threat intelligence, automated defence mechanisms and anomaly detection.
The Creators Challenge will target content creators, communicators and influencers. Participants will develop digital awareness campaigns addressing threats such as deepfakes, phishing, online scams and misinformation.
REGISTRATION DEADLINE
Registration for Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 will remain open until August 31, according to the Ministry of Defence.
The competition aims to bring together talent from academia, industry, research institutions, government organisations and the Armed Forces. The initiative is designed to encourage wider participation in defence technology and cybersecurity innovation.
ONLINE SHORTLISTING PHASE
After registration closes, the online shortlisting phase will take place from September 1 to September 10, 2026.
The selection process will identify participants who advance to the next stage. Technical participants will get an opportunity to demonstrate their skills in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital security.
NEW DELHI GRAND FINALE
The Grand Finale of Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 will be held in New Delhi from October 6 to October 8, 2026.
The final stage will bring shortlisted participants together for the concluding competitive rounds. The programme is intended to connect technical talent with the defence and cybersecurity ecosystem.
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
The award ceremony will be held on October 9, 2026, following the Grand Finale.
The competition seeks to recognise technical skills while encouraging collaboration between India's technology community and national security institutions. The initiative also supports efforts to develop indigenous capabilities in strategic technology sectors.
WHY TCQ 3.0 MATTERS
The launch comes amid growing cybersecurity challenges involving critical infrastructure, government systems, businesses and individual users.
The three-track structure combines vulnerability research, AI-based defence and public awareness. This approach reflects the increasingly diverse nature of cyber threats and the need for both technical and public-facing solutions.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
With registrations closing on August 31, eligible participants have a limited window to enter Terrier Cyber Quest 2026. The online shortlisting process will follow in September before finalists compete in New Delhi in October.
The competition's focus on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and digital awareness makes it relevant to India's technology and defence ecosystem. The Territorial Army initiative is expected to provide emerging technical talent with an opportunity to contribute ideas towards national security challenges.
Note: Eligibility, registration requirements and competition rules should be checked on the official TCQ 2026 platform before applying. Dates and competition arrangements may be subject to official updates.
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