MENTIS 24 Guidelines

1. General Guidelines

• The hackathon will run continuously for 24 hours in offline mode.
• All ideation and development must take place only during the hackathon duration.
• Participants must maintain a respectful, inclusive, and supportive environment.
• Mental health–sensitive language and ethical responsibility are mandatory.
• Any form of harassment, discrimination, or inappropriate conduct will result in disqualification.

2. Team Formation Guidelines

• Each team must consist of 2 to 4 members.
• Cross-disciplinary collaboration is encouraged.
• Team members may belong to the same or different colleges.
• Once registered, team composition cannot be changed after the deadline.

3. Problem Statement Guidelines

• Problem statements must relate to mental health and emotional well-being.
• Challenges should address real-world issues.
• Solutions must emphasize impact, feasibility, and ethical considerations.
• Plagiarism or copied ideas will result in immediate disqualification.

4. Solution Development Guidelines

4.1 Technical Solutions

• May include apps, websites, platforms, AI tools, or UI/UX prototypes.
• Solutions can be prototypes and need not be fully deployed.
• Open-source tools and APIs may be used with proper acknowledgment.

4.2 Non-Technical Solutions

• May include intervention models, frameworks, awareness campaigns, or system proposals.
• Solutions must be research-backed, structured, and implementable.
• Clear execution and scalability plans are required.
• Technical and non-technical solutions will be evaluated equally.

5. Submission Guidelines

• PPT presentation (7 slides)
• Prototype / demo / model (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation (PDF)
• Late submissions will not be evaluated.

6. Presentation Guidelines

• Presentation duration: 5–7 minutes per team.
• Judges may ask questions during or after presentations.
• Teams must clearly explain the problem, solution, target users, and impact.

7. Evaluation & Judging Criteria

• Impact and relevance
• Innovation and originality
• Feasibility and scalability
• User empathy and ethical approach
• Clarity of presentation and documentation

The judges’ decision will be final and binding.

8. Code of Conduct

• Plagiarism and pre-built complete solutions are prohibited.
• Disruptive or unethical behavior will not be tolerated.
• Violation of rules may result in immediate disqualification.

9. Health, Safety & Wellness

• Basic medical and wellness support will be available at the venue.
• Participants are encouraged to take breaks and prioritize well-being.
• In case of emergency, contact volunteers or organizers immediately.

10. Important Notes

• Organizers reserve the right to modify rules or schedules.
• Updates will be communicated in advance.
• Participation implies acceptance of all guidelines.