The Ministry of Commerce and Industry launched the "CemHack for Green Infra" hackathon on May 20, 2025, to foster innovation in the cement and construction sectors. Organized by the NCB Incubation Centre (NCBIC), the national-level hackathon aims to support entrepreneurship and commercialization of innovations in cement, construction, and allied fields. The competition features two tracks: one for startups, professionals, and individuals, and another for students and academia, both focused on solving real-world challenges. Themes include green cement, green processes, green concrete, carbon capture storage, logistics supply chain, and achieving net-zero targets. Participants can win cash prizes and incubation or mentoring opportunities at NCBIC. Registrations are open from May 20 to July 20, 2025.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Commerce Industry: Government ministry involved in launching the CemHack for Green Infra hackathon.
CemHack for Green Infra Hackathon: A national-level hackathon focused on green technology solutions in the cement and construction sector.
NCB Incubation Centre: An incubation center that marked its first anniversary with the launch of the CemHack for Green Infra Hackathon.
PIB Delhi: Press Information Bureau, Delhi - source of the press release.
20th May 2025: Date of the launch of the CemHack for Green Infra hackathon.
Joint Secretary, DPIIT: Position held by Shri Sanjiv within the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
Shri Sanjiv: Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, who launched the hackathon.
National Council for Cement and Building Materials NCB, Ballabgarh: Location where the CemHack for Green Infra hackathon was launched.
IITs: Indian Institutes of Technology, encouraged to participate in the hackathon.
NITs: National Institutes of Technology, encouraged to participate in the hackathon.
NCBIC: NCB Incubation Centre, organizer of the hackathon.
Dr. Kapil Kukreja: GM Incharge, NCBIC, who shared details of the hackathon competition.
Green Cement: One of the hackathon themes.
Green Process: One of the hackathon themes.
Green Concrete: One of the hackathon themes.
Carbon Capture Storage: One of the hackathon themes.
Logistics Supply Chain: One of the hackathon themes.
Net Zero: Targets related to achieving Net Zero emissions, one of the hackathon themes.
20th July 2025: The last day for hackathon registration.
DPIIT: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, the parent organization of NCB.
Dr. L P Singh: Director General, NCB, emphasized the importance of the hackathon in driving sustainability.
DST: Department of Science and Technology, funded CCU test bed project.
IIT Roorkee: Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee, involved in a DST-funded CCU test bed project with NCB and JK Cement Ltd.
JK Cement Ltd.: Company involved in a DST-funded CCU test bed project with NCB and IIT Roorkee.
Centre of Excellence for CCU: Upcoming establishment at NCB.
Prof. K K Pant: Director, IIT Roorkee, attended the event.
Shri Neeraj Akhoury: ChairmanNCB MDShree Cement Ltd., attended the event.
Abhishek Dayal: Mentioned at the end of the text, potentially related to the press release but role undefined.
Abhijith Narayana: Mentioned at the end of the text, potentially related to the press release but role undefined.
Ishita Biswas: Mentioned at the end of the text, potentially related to the press release but role undefined.
Release ID: 2130467: Unique identifier for the press release.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
“CemHack for Green Infra” Hackathon Launched to
Drive Innovation in Cement and Construction Sector
Hackathon aims to foster green tech solutions,
support start-ups and research talent in cement
ecosystem
NCB Incubation Centre marks first anniversary with
launch of national-level innovation challenge
Posted On: 22 MAY 2025 2:24PM by PIB Delhi
A first-of-its-kind national-level hackathon titled “CemHack for Green Infra” was launched on 20th May
2025 by Joint Secretary, DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Shri Sanjiv at the National Council for
Cement and Building Materials (NCB), Ballabgarh.
Speaking at the occasion, Shri Sanjiv congratulated NCB Incubation Centre on completing its first year and
lauded the initiative to promote innovation in the cement and construction sectors. He encouraged reputed
institutes like IITs, NITs, and regional technical universities to participate and expressed hope that the
hackathon would result in promising startup success stories.
Organised by the NCB Incubation Centre (NCB-IC), the hackathon aims to provide an umbrella platform to
support entrepreneurship and commercialization of grassroots innovations in cement, construction, and allied
sectors. Dr. Kapil Kukreja, GM & In-charge, NCB-IC, shared details of the two-track competition—one for
startups, professionals, and individuals; the other for students and academia—focused on solving real-world
problems in the cement sector. Participation is free of cost.
The hackathon themes include Green Cement, Green Process, Green Concrete, Carbon Capture & Storage,
Logistics & Supply Chain, and achieving Net Zero targets. Cash rewards of up to ₹1 lakh and incubation or
mentoring opportunities at NCB-IC are on offer. Registrations are open from 20th May to 20th July 2025 at
https://www.ncbindia.com/cemhack.php. NCB, under DPIIT, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, is India’s
apex R&D organization for cement and building materials, with expertise spanning raw materials to
rehabilitation of built structures.
Dr. L P Singh, Director General, NCB, emphasized the importance of the hackathon in driving sustainability
and highlighted recent milestones, including a DST-funded CCU test bed project with IIT Roorkee and JK
Cement Ltd. He announced the upcoming establishment of a Centre of Excellence for CCU at NCB.
The event was attended by Director, IIT Roorkee, Prof. K K Pant; Chairman-NCB & MD-Shree Cement Ltd.,
Shri Neeraj Akhoury; and Director General, NCB, Dr. L P Singh. The event witnessed participation from
research scholars, students, industry leaders, and NCB scientists.***
Abhishek Dayal/ Abhijith Narayana/ Ishita Biswas
(Release ID: 2130467)