The Indian Army has opened registrations for Terrier Cyber Quest (TCQ) 2026, a national cybersecurity and technology challenge aimed at identifying talent in cyber defence, artificial intelligence and digital awareness. Organised by the Territorial Army in collaboration with CyberPeace, the competition is open to students, cybersecurity professionals, AI researchers, ethical hackers, software developers, content creators, startups and technology enthusiasts. Interested candidates can register through the official TCQ portal till August 31, 2026. The competition features three tracks: Bug Hunting, AI Kavach, and the National Creators Challenge. Participants will first compete in an online shortlisting phase from September 1 to September 10, after which shortlisted teams will participate in a 36-hour grand finale in New Delhi from October 6 to October 8. Winners will be honoured during the award ceremony on October 9. Terrier Cyber Quest 2026: Competition schedule Event Date Registration opens July 30, 2026 Last date to register August 31, 2026 Online shortlisting September 1 to September 10, 2026 Grand Finale October 6 to October 8, 2026 Award ceremony October 9, 2026 Competition tracks Bug Hunting: Participants will compete in an online Capture-the-Flag (CTF) challenge, after which the top teams will qualify for the in-person finale. Teams will identify and document vulnerabilities in a simulated national infrastructure environment. This category is open to students, cybersecurity professionals, ethical hackers, researchers and armed forces personnel. Teams can have up to three members. AI Kavach: This challenge focuses on building AI-driven cybersecurity solutions capable of detecting, analysing and mitigating security threats. Applicants must submit a five-slide presentation outlining their proposed solution during registration. The shortlisted teams will develop working prototypes during the finale. Teams may include up to three members. National Creators Challenge: Aimed at creators, influencers, students and the general public, this category requires participants to create a 1–3 minute original video, reel or carousel spreading awareness about deepfakes, cyber fraud and digital misinformation. Teams can comprise up to four members. How to register for the hackathon? Candidates can register through the official Terrier Cyber Quest portal by selecting their preferred competition track, creating a participant profile and submitting the required details before the August 20 deadline. AI Kavach applicants must also upload their proposal presentation, while participants in the Creators Challenge are required to submit their original awareness content as per the competition guidelines. According to the organisers, finalists will receive certificates and medallions from the Territorial Army, cash prizes, national-level recognition and an opportunity to interact with senior government and defence officials. Winners may also get the chance to visit defence establishments and contribute to future cybersecurity initiatives with the Territorial Army.
