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SRINAGAR: The National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar successfully organised a five-day Cybersecurity Awareness and Bug Hunt 2026 programme from October 25 to 30, providing students with a dedicated platform to strengthen their cybersecurity competencies, explore emerging digital security challenges and identify potential vulnerabilities in digital systems.
Organised under the aegis of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Student Chapter of the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) and Information Technology (IT), the initiative featured expert interactions, cybersecurity awareness sessions and a hands-on Bug Hunt competition designed to promote practical learning, ethical hacking and responsible vulnerability reporting.
Addressing the programme, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Anurag Misra, underscored the growing significance of cybersecurity in an increasingly technology-driven world. He encouraged students to enhance their technical expertise, develop problem-solving capabilities and contribute meaningfully towards creating a secure and resilient digital ecosystem.
Registrar Prof. Atikur Rehman and Dean Research and Consultancy Prof. Roohie Naaz Mir also highlighted the importance of technological innovation, research-oriented learning and practical exposure in preparing students to address evolving challenges in the digital domain.
Ms. Jyoti Kushwaha, Scientist-D and Joint Director, Electronics and IT Department, Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), attended the programme as the Chief Guest. In her address, she emphasised the importance of digital awareness, secure online practices and heightened vigilance against emerging cyber threats. She also highlighted the need to cultivate responsible digital behaviour and strengthen awareness of cybersecurity risks.
The highlight of the initiative was the Bug Hunt competition, in which participating students demonstrated their technical proficiency by identifying and reporting potential security vulnerabilities.
Team 404 Found, comprising B.Tech students Piyush Dhakad, Vansh Saini and Prince, secured the first position and received a cash prize of âč10,000.
Team Pasikdar, comprising M.Tech students Younis Ayoub Parray, Malik Tafheem and Iram Naseer, secured the second position and was awarded âč7,500, while Karuturi Gowri Shankar claimed the third position, receiving a cash prize of âč5,000.
Additionally, three participantsâPranjul Khankriyal, Veer Rastogi and Mohsin Waniâwere awarded consolation prizes in recognition of their participation and performance.
Team CodeSaga, comprising Ritik Bhardwaj, Mohammed Anas and Dashmesh Deep Singh, received special recognition for successfully identifying and reporting a security vulnerability, highlighting the importance of responsible vulnerability disclosure in strengthening digital security.
The initiative was guided by Dr. Ahsan Chishti, Chief Information Security Officer (CISO); Dr. Iqra Altaf Gillani, Nodal Officer, BIS; and Dr. Sparsh Sharma, Deputy Chief Information Security Officer (DCISO). The programme was led by Disha Mehra, a fourth-year student of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.
In addition to the competitive component, the programme featured interactive activities and cybersecurity-based quizzes to familiarise students with responsible digital practices, online safety measures and emerging challenges in the cybersecurity landscape.
The organisers stated that the initiative was aimed at fostering a culture of cybersecurity awareness, promoting ethical hacking practices, strengthening hands-on technical capabilities and encouraging responsible vulnerability identification and reporting among students.
Through this initiative, NIT Srinagar provided students with an opportunity to translate their theoretical knowledge into practical cybersecurity applications while reinforcing the importance of ethical conduct and responsible participation in securing the digital ecosystem.
