New Delhi, August 21: The Indian Army’s Territorial Army, in collaboration with CyberPeace, has launched the third edition of its national-level cybersecurity competition, Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0).
The initiative aims to bring together India’s brightest technical minds to develop innovative and indigenous solutions for emerging challenges in defence, cybersecurity and the information domain.
🛡️ Focus on Emerging Cyber Threats
TCQ 3.0 seeks participation from academia, industry, research institutions, government organisations and the Armed Forces.
The competition will focus on emerging technologies and challenges including:
- Artificial Intelligence and machine learning
- Cybersecurity and threat mitigation
- Predictive threat intelligence
- Digital awareness and information security
- Protection of critical infrastructure
- Deepfakes, phishing, scams and misinformation
The initiative is also aimed at encouraging the development of indigenous technological solutions relevant to national security.
💻 Three Competition Tracks
The third edition of Terrier Cyber Quest will feature three distinct tracks designed to test different aspects of cyber and technological expertise.
1. Bug Hunting
The cybersecurity challenge will begin with an online Capture-the-Flag (CTF) qualifier before moving to an in-person live sandbox finale.
Participants will be tasked with identifying, analysing and documenting vulnerabilities within simulated critical-infrastructure environments, testing their ability to detect and respond to cyber threats.
2. AI Kavach
This track will focus on the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning to cybersecurity and national security challenges.
Participants will work on solutions involving predictive threat intelligence, automated defence mechanisms and anomaly detection, with the objective of using AI to strengthen the ability to identify and counter emerging threats.
3. Creators Challenge
Recognising the growing importance of the information environment, the Creators Challenge will bring together content creators, communicators and influencers.
Participants will develop digital media and storytelling campaigns aimed at creating public awareness about threats such as deepfakes, phishing, online scams and misinformation.
🇮🇳 Building Indigenous Cyber Capabilities
The initiative comes against the backdrop of an increasingly complex digital security environment, where cyberattacks, artificial intelligence-enabled threats and online disinformation can have implications far beyond the traditional battlefield.
By bringing together technical experts, researchers, students, innovators and defence professionals, the Territorial Army aims to create a wider ecosystem for developing home-grown cybersecurity capabilities.
The competition also provides a platform for civilian technological talent to contribute ideas and solutions to challenges relevant to national security.
📅 Important Dates
Registrations for Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 are open until August 31, 2026.
The competition schedule is as follows:
- Registration: Till August 31, 2026
- Online shortlisting: September 1–10, 2026
- Grand Finale: October 6–8, 2026, New Delhi
- Award Ceremony: October 9, 2026
🚀 From Cyber Talent to National Security
Building on the success of its previous editions, TCQ 3.0 seeks to create a stronger connection between India’s rapidly expanding technology ecosystem and the country’s defence and security requirements.
The initiative highlights the growing recognition that future security challenges will increasingly involve not only conventional military capabilities but also cyberspace, artificial intelligence, critical digital infrastructure and the information environment.
Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 is therefore positioned as more than a hackathon — it is an effort to harness India’s technological talent and innovation ecosystem to build a more secure, resilient and self-reliant digital defence capability.