Amazon
Amazon ML Challenge 2026
Amazon's national machine-learning competition for engineering students - teams get a real Amazon dataset and 72 hours to build a working ML solution, with strong performers considered for an Applied Scientist Intern PPI.
Brabble editorial · Updated 25 Sep 2026 · Official page
Particulars
- Organiser
- Amazon
- Mode
- Fully online
- Prize / outcome
- ₹2,25,000 total (₹1,00,000 / ₹75,000 / ₹50,000) plus AWS credits for all participants
- Team size
- 3-4 students
- Application fee
- Free
- Rounds
- 3
What it is
Amazon ML Challenge is a machine-learning-specific competition run by Amazon for engineering students across India, distinct from Amazon's other student programmes such as HackOn With Amazon. Teams register through Unstop, then receive a real Amazon dataset and problem statement to work against over a continuous 72-hour window, submitting both code and a short written approach document. It sits closer to an applied-science hiring assessment than a general product hackathon: the dataset, problem framing, and evaluation are built around the kind of work an Amazon Applied Scientist actually does.
Rounds
01. Registration and team formation
Teams of 3-4 register through Unstop before the registration deadline. No dataset or problem statement is released at this stage.
02. 72-hour ML challenge
Teams receive the dataset and problem statement at the start of the window and have 72 hours to build a solution, submitting their code/notebook plus a 1-2 page document explaining their approach.
03. Results and grand finale
Results are announced after judging the leaderboard score alongside the approach document. The top 10 teams are invited to a grand finale to present their solution directly to Amazon scientists.
Who can enter
- Full-time B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech, M.S. (by research or otherwise), or PhD students
- Graduating in 2027 or 2028
- Enrolled at an engineering institution in India
- Teams of 3 to 4 members
- Free to enter
What you actually get
Every registered participant receives AWS credits regardless of result. Cash prizes go to the top three teams, and the top 50 teams (by leaderboard performance and the Round 1 solution writeup) are considered for a pre-placement interview for Amazon's Applied Scientist Intern role. A PPI is an interview opportunity, not a guaranteed internship or job offer - it is still subject to Amazon's own interview process and role availability.
Frequently asked questions
- No - they are two separate Amazon-run programmes. HackOn With Amazon is a retail-tech hackathon built around theme-based problem submissions, while Amazon ML Challenge is a machine-learning-specific competition where teams work with a real Amazon dataset over a 72-hour window. Check which one a listing or brief actually refers to before preparing.
- Registration for the 2026 edition closed on 20 September 2026. The 72-hour challenge window ran 25-27 September 2026, with results due 2 October and a grand finale for the top 10 teams on 7 October 2026. If you're reading this after those dates, treat the format and eligibility here as a guide to the next edition rather than an open registration - check Amazon's Unstop listing for the current edition's dates.
- Full-time B.E./B.Tech, M.E./M.Tech, M.S., or PhD students graduating in 2027 or 2028, enrolled at an engineering institution in India, competing in teams of 3-4.
- No. The top 50 teams get a pre-placement interview for Amazon's Applied Scientist Intern role - an interview opportunity, not a guaranteed offer. The outcome still depends on performing well in Amazon's own interview process.
- No, registration is free, and every registered participant receives AWS credits regardless of how their team performs.
Is Amazon ML Challenge the same as HackOn With Amazon?+−
What is the current status of Amazon ML Challenge 2026?+−
Who can participate in Amazon ML Challenge?+−
Does Amazon ML Challenge guarantee a job or internship?+−
Is there a fee to enter Amazon ML Challenge?+−
Comparing options? See how Amazon ML Challenge 2026 stacks up against other AI and ML hackathons for students in India.
More guides
Dates, eligibility, prize breakdown, and outcomes checked against the Amazon ML Challenge 2026 listing on Unstop and Internshala, 25 Sep 2026. No single official Amazon-hosted page distinct from the Unstop listing was found at the time of writing. Registration status, dates, and prize figures change every edition - confirm the current edition's details on Unstop before relying on them.