Kanpur/Mumbai: The Bank of Baroda Hackathon 2025, organised in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), under the guidance of the Department of Financial Services (DFS) and Indian Banks’ Association (IBA), successfully concluded at IIT Kanpur, bringing together young innovators, technologists, and entrepreneurs from across India. Themed “Zero Trust Security in Digital Banking,” the event spotlighted groundbreaking solutions aimed at enhancing security in India’s digital financial ecosystem.
Massive Participation and Competitive Spirit
The hackathon attracted a robust response with over 420 participants forming 200+ teams that submitted more than 50 innovative solutions. After a rigorous multi-stage evaluation process, 10 finalist teams were shortlisted to present their cutting-edge ideas during the Grand Finale held at IIT Kanpur.
Diverse and Innovative Solutions
The finalist teams presented a wide range of solutions addressing key cybersecurity challenges in digital banking, including:
- User and Entity Behaviour Analytics (UEBA) for insider threat detection
- AI-driven fraud prevention platforms for secure transactions
- Voice and identity protection technologies
- Advanced real-time threat detection models
- Tailored cybersecurity frameworks for financial institutions
Each presentation was followed by a detailed Q&A session with the jury, assessing the feasibility, scalability, and long-term impact of the proposed solutions.
Eminent Jury Panel and Special Guests
The finale was judged by a distinguished panel comprising:
- Mr. Saurabh Shukla, Chief Technology Officer, Bank of Baroda
- Prof. Ankush Sharma, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Kanpur and former Professor-in-Charge, SIIC, IIT Kanpur
- Mr. Piyush Mishra, Chief Operating Officer & Chief Finance Officer, SIIC, IIT Kanpur
- Mr. Arun Kumar, Deputy General Manager – IT, Bank of Baroda
The event was also honoured by the presence of Mr. S. K. Thapar, Senior Advisor – IBA (EASE Reforms), as a special guest.
Key Highlights from the Event
Prof. Ankush Sharma emphasised the significance of hackathons in bridging academic research with industry needs, stating, “Hackathons like this bridge the gap between academic innovation and industry application. The ideas presented here reflect India’s growing leadership in digital security, fintech innovation, and smart banking solutions.”
Mr. Saurabh Shukla reiterated Bank of Baroda’s commitment to embracing technology and zero trust principles: “Zero Trust is about verifying every interaction, every time, without adding friction for our customers. The solutions presented here show immense potential to shape the future of secure banking.”
Winners and Recognition
Following the presentations, the jury awarded the top three teams for their ingenuity, technical prowess, and scalability potential. Additionally, a consolation prize was presented. The winners were honoured in a grand felicitation ceremony, marking the culmination of an inspiring event.
Impact and Future Vision
The Bank of Baroda Hackathon 2025 reaffirmed the collaborative vision of IIT Kanpur, Bank of Baroda, DFS, and IBA to build a secure, inclusive, and innovative digital banking ecosystem. This initiative highlights the critical importance of fostering innovation at grassroots levels, enabling young minds to showcase and scale their ideas with expert mentorship.
This landmark event underscored the transformative potential of Zero Trust Security frameworks in the financial sector and reflected India’s emerging leadership in fintech, cybersecurity, and digital innovation.
About Bank of Baroda
Bank of Baroda is one of India’s leading public sector banks, committed to delivering comprehensive banking and financial services. With a strong focus on innovation and customer-centric solutions, the bank continues to pioneer secure and inclusive digital banking initiatives, driving India’s growth as a global financial hub.
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