TCS organizes AI hackathon for non-engineering students, says you no longer need a CS degree to build software
TCS has been running Satellite AI Hackathons across multiple cities since January 26, where students from non-engineering backgrounds were asked to build tools to solve problems in their respective fields. More than 10,000 students participated. At the upcoming India AI Impact Summit, TCS plans to skill 2,000 more people.
Ahead of the upcoming India AI Impact Summit, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) launched a large-scale AI hackathon specifically aimed at students with no coding or engineering background. More than 10,000 students participated in the hackathon over the past six weeks, TCS said, adding that the main thing was that they all came from diverse fields ranging from arts and commerce to nursing, agriculture, criminology and law – and not necessarily from computer science. In fact, the main message behind the whole initiative was that you no longer need a CS degree to build software.
The initiative, described by TCS as the first of its kind in the world, was conducted in 22 colleges across 10 different states. The participants used the voice-first AI tool, available in nine Indian languages, to identify and solve real-world challenges in their respective fields. Most teams were able to develop a prototype in less than two hours.
“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 knowing they can do it,” said Ashok Krish, Head of AI Practice at TCS, “That’s how you bridge the skills gap and create digital entrepreneurs.”
TCS says that by equipping non-coders with practical AI competencies, it is responding to the industry’s critical need for a more diverse and digitally skilled workforce. The hackathon’s design removed traditional entry barriers such as language proficiency, technical training, and prior coding exposure by offering structured, multilingual AI support that guided participants from problem identification to working applications within a single session.
Since January 2026, satellite versions have spread to states including Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. These regional events have been critical to validating the program at scale and developing a network of mentors to support current and future editions of the hackathon.
Building on their success, the flagship Tata India Youth Hackathon is set to take place at the India AI Impact Summit, which will bring together around 2,000 students. The main event will feature real-time progress visualization and AI-driven assessment, providing a platform for participants to present their solutions in front of industry experts, delegates and dignitaries. This event will take place on 17th February. The India AI Impact Summit will run from February 16 to February 20, with a special address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 19.