About the AI4Earth Challenge

The MIGARS AI4Earth Challenge is a flagship pre-conference technical competition organized as part of the 4th International Conference on Machine Intelligence for GeoAnalytics and Remote Sensing (MIGARS 2026). The challenge provides a platform for UG, M Tech, and PhD students to demonstrate their problem-solving, innovation, and technical skills by addressing real-world Earth observation and geospatial challenges using Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), and Remote Sensing.

Participants will compete in a 7-hour onsite challenge, where they will develop innovative solutions based on a problem statement released at the beginning of the event. The competition encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, critical thinking, and the application of AI-driven geospatial technologies to solve practical environmental and societal problems with open source data and available tools.

Selected teams will have the opportunity to present their solutions, compete for cash awards, receive participation certificates, and interact with experts from academia and industry as part of the MIGARS 2026 conference.

Participation Process

Submit Application

Interested teams (maximum 3 members) must submit the online application along with the required documents before the application deadline.

Shortlisting

Applications will be evaluated out of which only 10 teams will be shortlisted and notified via email.

Registration

Shortlisted teams must complete the registration process by paying the registration fee of ₹300 per team on or before 13 July 2026.

AI4Earth Challenge

Registered teams will participate in the 7-hour onsite challenge on 20 July 2026 at the Digital University of Kerala. The problem statement will be released at the start of the competition, and teams will develop and present their solutions within the allotted time.

Evaluation & Awards

Solutions will be evaluated by an expert jury based on innovation, technical quality, methodology, and presentation. Winners will be announced during the Valedictory Session of MIGARS 2026 on 22 July 2026, where awards and certificates will be presented.

Guidelines

1. Eligibility

• The AI4Earth Challenge is open to UG, M Tech, and PhD students.

• Participation is team-based, with 1 to 3 members per team.

• Each participant may be a member of only one team.

2. Application & Shortlisting

• Teams must submit the online application along with the required resume(s) before the application deadline.

• Only 10 teams will be shortlisted based on the submitted resumes and institutional affiliation.

• The decision of the Organizing Committee regarding shortlisting shall be final and binding.

• Shortlisted teams will be notified via email on 12 July 2026.

3. Registration

• Submission of an application does not guarantee participation.

• Only shortlisted teams are eligible to register for the challenge.

• The registration fee is ₹300 per team.

• Registration and fee payment must be completed on or before 13 July 2026.

Registration Fee Reimbursement for Conference Authors

• Registered authors of MIGARS 2026 who are shortlisted for the AI4Earth Challenge are required to pay the ₹300 team registration fee during registration.

• The ₹300 registration fee will be fully reimbursed only if the registered author(s) attend the entire three-day MIGARS 2026 conference as per the conference schedule.

• This reimbursement is applicable only to registered MIGARS 2026 conference authors.

4. Challenge Day

• Date: 20 July 2026

• Venue: Digital University of Kerala

• Reporting Time: 9:00 A.M.

• Duration: 7 Hours

• The problem statement and detailed instructions will be provided at the beginning of the challenge.

• Teams must complete the challenge within the allotted time.

• Participants must bring their own laptops and any required software or development tools.

5. Data & Resources

• Participants are required to develop their solutions using publicly available, open-access datasets relevant to the challenge.

• The Organizing Committee will not provide datasets, software, computing platforms, cloud resources, or development tools.

• Teams are responsible for identifying, accessing, and using the datasets, software, and resources required for developing their solutions.

6. Evaluation

Solutions will be evaluated by an expert jury based on:

• Innovation and originality

• Technical approach and implementation

• Relevance to the problem statement

• Quality of results

• Presentation and demonstration

The decision of the jury shall be final and binding.

7. Awards & Certificates

• Winners will be announced during the Valedictory Session of MIGARS 2026 on 22 July 2026.

• Awards and participation certificates can be collected in person on 22 July 2026.

Click here to apply: