In a computer, the BIOS is the first thing that runs. Here, it's the first point of contact, where life and computation begin speaking to each other.

BIOS V2 is CSED's flagship hackathon in collaboration with IEEE Student Chapter at Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala. It brings 300 shortlisted builders in 60 teams on campus for 48 hours of building, from 30 October to 1 November 2026.

Pick Your Mode

Safe Mode: a guided but genuine build route for emerging builders.

Overclocked Mode: harder constraints, hidden evaluation and live technical defence, for advanced AI, systems and research work.

Expect AI agents, coding tools and multimodal apps, with the freedom to compare and switch models as you build.

All teams must be of 4 people and must have at least 1 female team member to qualify

Prizes ( $115,000+ or ₹1,06,00,000+ )

Worth of cash prizes, platform credits, tools and perks, with something for the teams that ship.

School Programme (Grades 9 to 12)

A separate programme alongside the main event, with its own stage time and awards:

Idea Lab: research, design and problem solving, ending in an evidence led proposal or low fidelity prototype and a live pitch.

Build Lab: a supervised build ending in a working prototype and a technical defence.

Ship something that works. Defend it on stage.

📍 Thapar Institute of Engineering and Technology, Patiala
📅 30 Oct to 1 Nov 2026
🌐 bios.notyouraverage.xyz