HPE CodeWars
by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) India
Prizes worth up to ₹1,50,000
23,000 participants
HPE CodeWars is India's largest online coding competition for students in Grades 8-12. It challenges young minds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) by having them solve real-time coding challenges. This competition aims to inspire and develop future tech innovators.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
3 hours
Time needed
3 hours for the competition, plus preparation time. Participants are encouraged to dedicate time to practice problems.
Eligibility
Open to students in Grades 8-12 (ages 13-18) from across India and globally. Participants must be currently enrolled in these grades; recent Grade 8 completers are eligible, but Grade 7 students transitioning to Grade 8 and graduated Grade 12 students are not. A valid school ID is required for prize claims, and plagiarism leads to disqualification. Students need an adult sponsor from their school.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 12
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- Students must be currently enrolled in Grades 8-12. Grade 8 students who have completed or taken their final Grade 8 exam in 2025 are eligible. Grade 7 students transitioning to Grade 8 in 2025 and Grade 12 students who graduated in 2025 or earlier are not eligible.
- Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of at least one supported programming language (C, C++, Java, or Python).
- Familiarity with competitive programming concepts is beneficial but not strictly required for novice participants.
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
₹1,50,000 in prizes
Prizes worth up to ₹1,50,000, including cash and HP products, are awarded to winners. Specific disbursement details will be communicated to winners.
Prizes
HP Products & Unique Opportunity
Winners receive HP products and the unique opportunity to run their code on the HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 aboard the International Space Station.
Certificate
Certificate from HPE & Codingal
Certificates of recognition are provided by HPE and Codingal to participants and winners.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Enhances college applications for top global institutions like IITs and MIT, showcasing a strong aptitude for computer science and competitive programming.
Career pathways
Provides networking opportunities with HPE technologists and 1-on-1 mentorship and career guidance from HPE Senior Technologists, significantly boosting career prospects in the technology sector.
Recognition
National Recognition & ISS Opportunity
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 12 Jan 2026
- Registration closed
- 7 Mar 2026
- Competition
- 7 Mar 2026
How to apply
- 1Register online through the official competition website. Participants will receive reminder notifications via email and WhatsApp.
- 2Students must register with their own phone number and email address.
- 3If participating as a team, all members must register individually and use the same team name during project submission.
Rules and guidelines
- Participants must use a laptop or desktop computer for the competition; mobile devices are not supported.
- Submissions are evaluated by an online judge with partial grading for each passed test case.
- Multiple submissions are allowed, and the best valid solution will be considered for scoring.
- Students should not share their solutions anywhere except within their team or on the official Discord server.
- Any detected plagiarism will lead to immediate disqualification and forfeiture of prizes.
- Students must use the account created to join their sponsor's roster on contest day.
Technology requirements
- Personal computer (laptop/desktop) with internet connection.
- Modern, web-standards compliant browser (Internet Explorer is not supported).
- Access to the Codingal platform for a preconfigured programming environment.
- Personal computer (laptop/desktop) with stable internet connection.
- A webcam and microphone may be required for virtual proctoring in some instances.
About this opportunity
HPE CodeWars is an annual, premier online programming competition hosted by Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE) in partnership with Codingal. This event aims to inspire high school students to pursue careers in STEM fields by engaging them in competitive coding challenges. It provides a gamified learning environment where students can enhance their coding abilities by addressing real-world problems.
The competition is open to students in Grades 8-12 from across India and globally, welcoming both beginners and experienced coders. Participants tackle a variety of competitive coding problems, including algorithmic puzzles, data structure challenges, and mathematical computations. The event features a live leaderboard, allowing students to track their progress in real-time.
HPE CodeWars emphasizes the development of technical skills such as collaborative coding, efficient development, and critical thinking. Winners receive significant prizes, national recognition, and unique opportunities like running their code on the HPE Spaceborne Computer-2 aboard the International Space Station. It serves as a crucial platform for fostering the next generation of tech innovators.
Exam format
- Duration
- 180 minutes
- Format
- 26 coding challenges (algorithmic puzzles, data structure challenges, mathematical computations)
- Language
- C, C++, Java, Python
Rounds and format
The competition consists of a single round where participants solve 26 coding problems within a 3-hour time limit. Problems vary in difficulty, with points awarded based on complexity. A real-time leaderboard tracks progress.
How entries are judged
Submissions are evaluated by an online judge with partial grading for each passed test case. There are no penalties for incorrect submissions, and multiple submissions are allowed, with the best valid solution considered for scoring. Judging criteria for hackathon format include originality, uniqueness, code quality, user interface (UI), and video submission.
Selection process
Winners are determined by the highest points scored based on successfully solved problems. Partial grading is applied for each passed test case.
How to prepare
- Practice Arena with 100+ coding problems on Codingal platform.
- Access to past HPE CodeWars problems on hpecodewars.org (Events -> Past Events).
- External platforms like LeetCode, HackerRank, and CodeForces for additional practice.
- Online tutorials and courses for C, C++, Java, and Python programming languages.
Academic details
Difficulty: Mixed Levels
What's covered
The competition features 26 coding challenges of varying difficulty, covering algorithmic puzzles, data structure challenges, and mathematical computations. A practice arena with over 100 coding problems and past event question banks are available for preparation.
Frequently asked questions
How can students effectively prepare for the diverse range of coding challenges presented in HPE CodeWars?
Students should focus on strengthening foundational knowledge in data structures and algorithms. Utilizing the practice arena on the Codingal platform and solving past competition problems are highly recommended for effective preparation. Consistent practice builds confidence and problem-solving speed.
What strategies can participants employ to manage time efficiently during the 3-hour competition and maximize their score?
Effective time management involves quickly assessing problem difficulty, prioritizing easier problems first to secure points, and allocating sufficient time for debugging. Participants should practice under timed conditions to improve their pace and decision-making during the competition.
What are the key factors that contribute to a participant's success and high ranking in the HPE CodeWars competition?
Success is primarily driven by the number of problems solved correctly and the efficiency of the solutions. A strong grasp of algorithmic concepts, meticulous debugging, and strategic problem selection are crucial for a high ranking. Understanding test cases also plays a vital role.
What are the long-term benefits for students who participate in HPE CodeWars, beyond immediate prizes and recognition?
Participation significantly enhances problem-solving and critical thinking skills, provides exposure to competitive programming, and strengthens resumes for higher education and tech careers. Networking with HPE technologists offers invaluable future opportunities and insights into the industry.
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