As part of the Decade of Transformation, the Indian Army’s Territorial Army in collaboration with IIT Madras, Indian Army Research Cell (IARC) and CyberPeace, is conducting Indian Army Terrier Cyber Quest 2025 a national-level challenge designed to address real defence and cybersecurity threats. The event will be held in New Delhi.

The initiative, advertised on the Indian Army website (www.indianarmy.nic.in/terriercyberquest/2025.pdf), seeks to unite India’s brightest minds from academia, industry, and government to confront modern defence challenges through technology. The Cyber Quest will foster innovation and collaboration in critical domains such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Quantum Computing and Drone Technology. It underlines the growing importance of a robust digital defence strategy and serves as a call to action for skilled individuals to become warriors on the digital battlefield.

The competition features two key challenges to build stronger systems for India using AI and ML, offering participants a unique platform to directly contribute to national security:

• Track One: Bug Hunting Challenge – A high-stakes cybersecurity hackathon culminating in a 36-hour live bug hunt on the BOSS Linux system. Finalists will uncover OS-level vulnerabilities in a simulated Indian Army environment, helping to build stronger systems for the nation.
• Track Two: Datathon – A data-centric challenge designed to test participants’ ability to build robust technological solutions for defence and national security. The 2025 focus is on predictive threat intelligence and anomaly detection using large-scale datasets.

Schedule of the Event

• Registration: 23 July – 07 September 2025
• Preliminary Round: 08 – 17 September 2025
• Grand Finale: 24 – 26 September 2025
• Award Ceremony: 07 October 2025

The event will also provide cutting-edge problem statements at the intersection of AI, Quantum Computing, and Cybersecurity. Challenges such as drone flight anomaly detection and quantum-enhanced malware/ransomware identification will enable participants to develop advanced real-time detection systems. The initiative aims to promote indigenous innovation in quantum machine learning, foster critical thinking, and generate prototype solutions that can strengthen national security and defence technology infrastructure.

In the Grand Finale, Track One finalists will engage in an attack–defence style challenge focused on critical infrastructure hacking and defence, while Track Two finalists will have 36 hours to develop a fully functional deepfake detection system using AI and ML.

Winners will be honoured by Chief of the Army Staff, General Upendra Dwivedi and will also receive exciting prizes, recognising their innovative solutions and contributions to national security.

Desirous participants may register through the official website of the Indian Army at www.indianarmy.nic.in/terriercyberquest/2025.pdf. Registration will remain open till 07 September 2025.

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NA/PK

(Release ID: 2161248)