UNLEASHLLM Innovation Challenge
Applied AI for People, Planet, Progress.
A national youth challenge empowering students and young developers to build open-source LLM solutions for real-world impact — under the YuvAI Initiative, together with Meta, in collaboration with IndiaAI & AICTE, implemented by 1M1B.
Registration to be announced soon
Last edition by the numbers
What is YuvAI Initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building?
Meta, in collaboration with IndiaAI (MeitY) and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), launched the YuvAI initiative for Skilling and Capacity Building, a program that aims to bridge the AI talent gap in the country by empowering 100,000 students and young developers aged 18-30 to leverage open-source large language models (LLMs) to address real-world challenges.
It aims to build capacity in generative AI skills, utilizing open-source LLMs while fostering AI innovation across key sectors. Over the next three years, the initiative will train one lakh youth, developers, and entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to India's AI ecosystem.
Why this Challenge?
The Unleash LLM Innovation Challenge is designed to spark innovation among India's youth and empower them to create open-source LLM applications for social good. This challenge encourages students and young developers to tackle real-world problems with AI solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and scalable.
We align with the guiding principles of People, Planet & Progress — inspiring innovation that benefits communities, safeguards the environment, and drives equitable growth.
Important
Projects must make use of open-source LLMs. Submissions that do not use LLMs will not be considered. LLMs can play the role of the main hero (core of your solution) or a sidekick (supporting function that enhances your idea).
WHAT'S SHARPER
Responsible AI, Rooted in India
We're doubling down on what makes meaningful AI — and giving Indian context a track of its own.
Responsible AI
Every submission is assessed on fairness, transparency, data privacy and safety — keeping ethics a visible, scored part of evaluation, not an afterthought.
India-First Dataset Track
An optional track rewarding teams that build on curated Indian open datasets (via AIKosh / IndiaAI), anchoring solutions in real Indian languages, regional contexts and local use cases.
Impact Tracks (Themes)
Choose your focus area and create innovative LLM-powered solutions that make a real impact
Inclusive Health
LLM-driven healthcare solutions for diverse populations, improving patient engagement and supporting healthcare workers with multilingual resources.
Climate & Environment
AI solutions for climate change response, natural resource management, and environmental resilience through sustainable practices.
Education & Skills
Personalized learning tools, adaptive education systems, and skills development pathways for youth employment.
Agriculture & Rural
Farmer empowerment through decision-support systems, market access solutions, and rural community tools in regional languages.
Smart Cities
Governance improvements, city management, citizen services, and efficient public communication systems.
Financial Inclusion
Equitable access to financial services, banking solutions, and financial literacy for underserved communities.
Open Innovation
Creative LLM applications beyond predefined tracks, encouraging cross-domain experimentation and novel AI approaches.
PARTICIPANT JOURNEY
From idea to impact in four stages
A focused funnel — 200 shortlisted → 20 finalists → 3 winners — built around clear, achievable milestones.
Launch
Official launch with AICTE circular inviting student registration nationwide.
Ideation
Teams submit project ideas using open-source LLMs across the seven tracks.
Prototype & Scrutiny
Shortlisted teams build & submit a video pitch; expert jury reviews and scrutinises.
Finale & Showcase
Top 20 pitch live at the virtual finale; Top 3 winners recognised and featured.
How to Participate
There are two key submissions for this challenge.
1. Idea Submission
(Registration Phase)
Register online via the website.
Submit:
- Team details
- Project title
- Description in 100 words
- One page report in pdf
- • Project Title & Team Name
- • Problem Statement (1-2 lines)
- • Solution Overview (2-3 lines – what it does & why it matters)
- • Tech Stack + Key Features (3-4 short bullets)
- • Expected Impact (1-2 lines)
- Brief on LLM usage
2. Prototype Submission
(Build Phase)
Submit a 5–7 minute video pitch that includes:
- Introduction to your Prototype — problem statement, objectives, and approach to solve the problem.
- Prototype Demonstration — show how your solution works.
- Minor Code & Technical Explanation — highlight important elements of the tech stack.
- Innovation & Utilization of Open LLMs — explain how you are using open-source LLMs in a novel way.
- Future Scope — describe potential impact, scale, or next steps.
Timeline
Milestones of the challenge
- Phase 1
Launch & Outreach
To be announced
The official hackathon launch and outreach campaign begins.
- Phase 2
Ideation Sprint
To be announced
Registration & Idea Submission · Top 200 shortlisted
- Phase 3
Prototype Build
To be announced
Top 200 build & submit video pitch
- Phase 4
Scrutiny & Top 20 Selection
To be announced
Evaluation of submissions and selection of the Top 20 teams.
- Phase 5
Virtual Finale & Winners
To be announced
Top 20 pitch · Top 3 recognised
Prizes & Recognition
Win big. Get seen. Get noticed.
₹3.25 lakh in cash prizes plus national-level recognition for the boldest builders.
- Cash prize ₹1,50,000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Featured in AI Impact Showcase Booklet
- Cash prize ₹1,00,000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Showcase Booklet feature
- Cash prize ₹75,000
- Certificate of Excellence
- Showcase Booklet feature
Ready to build something that matters?
Register your team in Phase 1. Submit your prototype video pitch in Phase 2. Free to enter — open to students and young developers under 30.
Registration to be announced soon
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions? We've got answers to help you get started