General Rules & Eligibility:
Team Size: 2 to 4 members per team.
The "Zero Utility" Rule: If a project accidentally solves a real-world problem or is deemed genuinely useful by the judges, the team will receive a point deduction.
Hardware & Software: Both are permitted. Participants can build apps, websites, Chrome extensions, or physical robots (e.g., a robot that screams when you look at it).
Pre-built Code: Teams cannot bring pre-built projects, but using existing "useless" APIs (like the Ron Swanson quote generator or random dog picture APIs) is highly encouraged.
Judges (faculty, senior students, or club alumni) will score projects based on the following:
The "Why?" Factor (40%): How fundamentally pointless is this project? Does it actively waste time or cause mild, funny inconvenience?
Technical Overkill (30%): Did the team use unnecessarily complex technology (like a complex MERN stack) to achieve a ridiculously simple or stupid result? The Presentation/Comedy (30%): How funny and entertaining was the 3-minute stage demo? Did the audience laugh?
Instead of standard trophies, the prizes should match the theme of the event:
First Place (The Ultimate Jugaad): A Golden Plunger or a framed picture of a completely useless object (e.g., a glass hammer).
The "Accidentally Useful" Penalty Award: Given to the team whose project was actually kind of helpful. (Prize: A standard, boring certificate).
Medals: Given to the top 3 teams