TCS Hackquest – 2027 Announced – Off Campus

TCS HackQuest Season 11

India’s Premier Ethical Hacking Contest for 2027 Passing Out Engineering & Science Graduates.

Contest Name HackQuest Season 11
Eligible Batch 2027 Graduates
Mode Individual Contest
Registration Fee Free (Nil)

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) presents HackQuest Season 11, an ethical hacking and cybersecurity challenge designed to discover the top security talent in India. Eligible candidates compete across three competitive rounds for a chance to feature among the **Top 10 Ethical Hackers**.

📌 Eligibility Criteria

Open exclusively to individual students enrolled in recognized Indian colleges/universities graduating in the 2027 academic year:

  • Eligible Degrees: B.Tech, B.E., M.Tech, M.E., B.C.A., M.C.A., B.Sc. / B.S., and M.Sc. / M.S.
  • Participation Format: Individual entry only (Team/Group participation is strictly not permitted).
  • Mandatory Requirement: Valid TCS Reference ID (CT/DT number) registered under the ‘IT’ section on TCS NextStep.

📝 Registration & NextStep Prerequisites

  • Step 1: Visit TCS NextStep, register under the ‘IT’ category (not BPS), fill in your details, and submit to generate your CT/DT number.
  • Step 2: Head to the official TCS HackQuest Portal and register using your CT/DT Reference ID.
  • Step 3: Receive your unique contest credentials (keep these credentials confidential).

🚀 Contest Structure & Evaluation Rounds

Round 1: Online ‘Capture the Flag’ (CTF)

Duration: 6 Hours

An online challenge testing ethical hacking skills across three difficulty tiers:

Beginner: Fundamentals, Passwords, Simple Encryption Intermediate: Web App Security, SQLi, AI/ML Nuances, SOC Expert: Reverse Engineering, Adv. Cryptography, Pen Testing
  • Mandatory Report: Capturing flags alone is not enough. Participants must screenshot captured flags with visible timestamps and submit a step-by-step approach report using the official template before the deadline. Failure to upload the report results in automatic disqualification.
  • Tool Usage: Any tools that send massive automated traffic or tamper with site functionality are strictly prohibited.
  • Evaluation Criteria: Flags captured, quality of the submitted report, and methodology followed.

Round 2: Remote Proctored Penetration Testing

Proctored Online

Shortlisted candidates from Round 1 face remotely proctored hosted challenge scenarios with webcams mandatory ‘ON’ throughout.

Core Domains Tested:

System Exploitation AI/ML Vulnerabilities Web & Mobile Security Digital Forensics Threat Hunting Incident Response Source Code Analysis SOC Scenarios & IAM

Round 3: In-Person Grand Finale

TCS Campus (3-4 Hours)

The final selection round takes place live on-site at a TCS Campus. Shortlisted contestants present their solution methodology and respond directly to questions posed by a expert TCS jury panel to determine the Top 10 ethical hackers.

💡 Recommended Skills & Certifications

Candidates with background or certifications in the following security domains hold an added advantage:

Application & Network Security Python / Java / Go / PHP AI Red Teaming & AI/ML Security Malware Analysis & Reverse Engineering OSCP CEH CompTIA Security+ ISO 27001

TCS HackQuest Season 11 Registration

Free Registration • Open for 2027 Passing Out Engineering & Science Graduates

Register Now ➔