New Delhi, Aug. 26 -- Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy has launched the Critical Minerals Innovation Hackathon 2026 (CMiH 2026) to encourage students, researchers, start-ups and innovators to develop technology-based solutions for India's critical minerals sector.

The hackathon, aimed at supporting the objectives of the National Critical Mineral Mission, will focus on two challenges: developing mineral prospectivity maps using open data and creating a smart R&D and patent tracking system for critical minerals.

The event will be organised by JNARDDC, Nagpur, an autonomous body under the Ministry of Mines. Participants can submit their ideas until September 20, 2026.

Two winning teams will be selected for each problem statem...