Tata Communications has partnered with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and used the platform of HackerEarth, to launch a 3-month long hackathon, called, 'The Grand India IoT Innovation Challenge' (#giiotic), for engineering students from 26 select colleges and universities across India. Riding on the theme, 'Solutions that create a better society,' students are invited to build prototypes of IoT enabled solutions based on the LoRaWANTM specification.

The students will have access to Tata Communications' dedicated IoT network, IoT platform and expert mentorship offered by Tata Communications and an opportunity to compete for prizes amounting to Rs 9.5 lakhs.

''We are rapidly progressing towards a future where people and devices are all connected. Unless there is awareness of the true potential of IoT as a 'public good' to be shared by all, its commercial and social potential won't be truly realised in India,'' said VS Shridhar, Senior Vice President & Head, Internet of Things, Tata Communications. ''The Grand India IoT Innovation Challenge is Tata Communications' endeavor to invest in and nurture India's youth by giving them the platform to apply their academic learnings to a practical scenario, by prototyping innovative IoT solutions. This practical experience will benefit them hugely as they enter the job markets and get ready to take on real life civic and corporate challenges.''

Shares of the company gained Rs 2.85, or 0.53%, to trade at Rs 542.20. The total volume of shares traded was 4,848 at the BSE (12.40 p.m., Monday).