RBI Launches Its Fourth Global Hackathon – HaRBInger 2025 to Build Secure and Inclusive Banking Solutions
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has officially launched the fourth edition of its Global Fintech Hackathon – HaRBInger 2025: Innovation for Transformation, an initiative aimed at promoting secure, technology-driven, and inclusive financial solutions. The announcement was made on October 23, 2025, marking a continuation of the RBI’s commitment to nurturing innovation in the banking and financial ecosystem.
This year’s theme, “Secure Banking: Powered by Identity, Integrity, and Inclusivity,” focuses on strengthening digital trust, protecting customer identity, and fostering financial inclusion through state-of-the-art technology. The launch was accompanied by an open call inviting global participation from innovators, startups, students, and developers passionate about building high-impact fintech solutions.
About HaRBInger 2025
HaRBInger (an acronym for Harnessing Innovation to Build Resilience in Banking) is the RBI’s global platform created to drive innovation in the fintech sector. The 2025 edition seeks to use emerging technologies to improve user privacy, fraud prevention, financial literacy, and inclusivity across the banking domain.
Participants are invited to design and prototype solutions under three crucial problem statements aligned with the central theme:
- Tokenised KYC – Reimagining the Know Your Customer process using tokenisation and privacy-preserving methods that minimise data exposure and allow secure, reusable identity systems.
- Offline CBDC (Central Bank Digital Currency) – Designing mechanisms enabling secure offline digital transactions via e₹ (digital rupee) even without internet connectivity.
- Enhancing Trust – Developing systems, frameworks, or products that improve transparency, reduce fraud, and build confidence in digital banking channels.
Registration for HaRBInger 2025 opened on October 23, 2025, on the RBI’s official website, and the call for entries is open globally to individuals, fintech startups, corporates, and academic teams aged 18 years or above.
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Objective and Vision
The RBI, through this hackathon, aims to leverage emerging technologies such as blockchain, AI/ML, zero-knowledge proofs, and digital identity frameworks to strengthen the integrity of banking systems while enhancing customer-centric innovation. The initiative encourages participants to design novel, scalable solutions that can be tested within the RBI Innovation Hub or regulatory sandbox, depending on applicability.
According to the central bank, HaRBInger hackathons have been instrumental in developing ideas that later evolve into real-world implementations within the regulated financial environment. The 2025 edition prioritises privacy-preserving digital identity systems and resilient financial infrastructures that safeguard users’ interests.
Mentorship and Rewards
Participants will have the chance to be mentored by industry experts and interact with fintech professionals from across the world. They will also present their prototypes before a prestigious jury panel consisting of RBI executives, industry leaders, and technology researchers.
The prize structure for HaRBInger 2025 is designed to encourage innovation and inclusivity:
- Winner (per theme): ₹40 lakh
- Runner-up (per theme): ₹20 lakh
- Best All-Women Team (cross-theme): ₹20 lakh
- Prototype Development Stipend (for shortlisted teams): ₹5 lakh
These cash rewards are supplemented with recognition within India’s innovation community and potential incubation or pilot opportunities supported by the RBI’s Innovation Hub.
Why HaRBInger 2025 Matters
The initiative arrives at a critical juncture where digital banking in India is expanding rapidly. With the growth of UPI, CBDC, and AI-led KYC systems, protecting digital trust has become paramount. RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das has consistently emphasized that innovation must coexist with integrity and consumer protection. HaRBInger 2025 aligns directly with this vision by encouraging fintech creativity that prioritises data security and accessibility over mere convenience.
By focusing on “identity and inclusivity,” the RBI aims to bring unbanked populations into the digital ecosystem while ensuring that technology doesn’t compromise user privacy. As the world witnesses increasing incidents of online fraud and identity theft, this hackathon positions India as a leader in developing secure fintech frameworks.
RBI’s Global Innovation Legacy
HaRBInger is now established as one of the flagship fintech innovation challenges globally. Previous editions have tackled themes such as:
- Digital payments for all (2021)
- Regulatory technology innovation (2022)
- Zero financial frauds and accessibility (2024)
Each iteration has produced ideas that contributed to advancing India’s financial inclusion mission and strengthening fintech research across Asia.
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Conclusion
The launch of HaRBInger 2025 – Innovation for Transformation reflects the RBI’s forward-looking approach to fintech governance and technological progress. By integrating next-generation digital identity systems, AI-led risk management, and cross-border trust frameworks, this year’s hackathon promises to set new benchmarks for secure banking.
As registrations open, global innovators are invited to participate and shape the future of secure, inclusive finance in India and beyond. The event embodies RBI’s vision of building a fintech ecosystem rooted in trust, integrity, privacy, and accessibility — the four cornerstones of modern digital banking.
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