The Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI) at the Indian School of Development Management (ISDM), in partnership with DAKSH and Centre for Social Sensitivity and Action (Goa Institute of Management), announces the third edition of Code4Change, its annual hackathon that brings together data scientists, technologists, and social sector professionals to use data for social good.
This year’s theme, “How Data Can Transform India’s Justice System,” focuses on making the country’s judiciary more accessible, transparent, and efficient through data and technology-driven solutions.
Code4Change 2025–26 will challenge participants to reimagine user experiences for the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG) — the extensive database of over 18,000 courts across India — by designing innovative, inclusive interfaces. The hackathon will also invite solutions that leverage civil case data to create fair, efficient, and scalable scheduling systems for India’s courts.
Since its inception, Code4Change has served as a bridge between data science and the social sector, producing scalable, open, and practical solutions to complex societal challenges.
- Edition 1 featured data-led models to predict financial vulnerability among women-headed households in rural India.
- Edition 2 focused on youth employability and climate resilience.
The 2025–26 edition will run in a hybrid format, combining virtual engagement with an offline showcase and awards ceremony on 16 January 2026. Participation is free and open to anyone with a passion for solving social problems through data and technology.
Key Dates (tentative):
- Registrations opened: 14 October 2025
- Mentoring sessions: 24 October & 31 October (online)
- Submission deadline: 30 November 2025
- Finalists announced: 10 December 2025
- Final showcase and awards: 16 January 2026
The final event is taking place in Goa and will highlight the best ideas on how data can make justice more inclusive and citizen-friendly. Media representatives and experts across data, law, and governance are invited to attend and witness how innovation can make justice accessible to all.For queries or media requests, please reach out to:
Centre for Data Science and Social Impact (CDSSI), ISDM
