Mohan Babu University Secures First Place at IBM National Hackathon 2025

Mohan Babu University (MBU), a leading university established by actor, politician, and educationist Dr. M. Mohan Babu, has secured first place at the prestigious IBM National Hackathon 2025. Hosted by IBM Expert Labs, the competition witnessed participation from 130 teams across 40+ universities in India, including Amity University, Kalasalingam Academy of Research and Education, UPES, Yenepoya University, Hindustan University, S-VYASA University, Ganpat University, GIET, Lamrin Tech University, Techno University, Kaziranga University, GLA University, among many others.

The winning project was developed by three third-year B.Tech CSE students from MBU, who created a dual console- and UI-based airline reservation system. The solution integrates lightweight pricing algorithms to enable real-time dynamic fare calculations. Recognised for being cost-effective, scalable, and low-maintenance, the system holds strong potential for deployment in real-world airline operations to improve fare management efficiency.

The hackathon featured a two-stage process, beginning with an online coding assessment on HackerRank. Finalists advanced to the finale, where they built solutions to real-world problem statements within 24 hours and presented working demos to industry experts, while also gaining exposure through leadership talks and networking sessions.

An IBM spokesperson said, “The solutions presented this year reflected exceptional creativity and technical depth. MBU’s project stood out for its practical application, addressing a real industry challenge with a simple yet effective approach.”

Sharing his thoughts, Mr. Vinay Maheshwari, Executive Director at Mohan Babu University, added, “We are immensely proud of our students for achieving this recognition on a national stage. Their success demonstrates MBU’s commitment to nurturing talent that blends technical expertise with innovative problem-solving.”

The IBM National Hackathon 2025 served as a platform for students to demonstrate innovation, technical skills, and problem-solving in a competitive, industry-driven environment, showcasing how classroom learning can translate into impactful real-world solutions.