Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0)
The Territorial Army of India launched Terrier Cyber Quest 2026 (TCQ 3.0) on 21 August 2026 in partnership with CyberPeace. The national-level hackathon focuses on developing indigenous solutions for defence, cybersecurity and digital security. It brings together students, startups, security researchers and digital content creators.
Terrier Cyber Quest 2026
Terrier Cyber Quest is the third edition of the Territorial Army’s cyber hackathon series. Registrations for TCQ 3.0 opened on 30 July 2026, with the final registration deadline extended to 31 August 2026.
The competition seeks innovative solutions that can strengthen India’s cyber defence capabilities, protect critical digital infrastructure and improve public awareness about emerging online threats.
Three Competition Tracks
1. Bug Hunting Track
The Bug Hunting track focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in simulated critical infrastructure.
- Begins with an online Capture-the-Flag (CTF) qualifier.
- Shortlisted participants enter a 36-hour live sandbox finale.
- Participants must identify, analyse and document cybersecurity vulnerabilities.
2. AI Kavach Track
The AI Kavach track focuses on the application of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning to cybersecurity.
Potential applications include:
- Automated cyber defence.
- Predictive threat intelligence.
- Anomaly detection.
- Identification of emerging cyber threats.
3. National Creators Challenge
This track targets digital content creators and focuses on cybersecurity awareness.
Participants develop educational campaigns addressing threats such as:
- Deepfakes
- Phishing
- Misinformation
- Manipulation of digital information
Selection Process and Grand Finale
The online screening and shortlisting phase is scheduled from 1 September to 10 September 2026.
Shortlisted participants will compete in person in New Delhi during the Grand Finale from 6 to 8 October 2026. The concluding ceremony is scheduled for 9 October 2026.
Important Facts for Exams
- TCQ 3.0: Third edition of Terrier Cyber Quest.
- Organised by: Territorial Army in partnership with CyberPeace.
- Launch: 21 August 2026.
- Registration opened: 30 July 2026.
- Final registration deadline: 31 August 2026.
- Three tracks: Bug Hunting, AI Kavach and National Creators Challenge.
- Grand Finale: New Delhi, 6–8 October 2026.
- Concluding ceremony: 9 October 2026.
- Capture-the-Flag (CTF): A cybersecurity competition format used to test participants’ ability to identify and exploit or defend against vulnerabilities.
- AI in cybersecurity: Can support anomaly detection, automated threat identification and predictive threat intelligence.
