**DARK CTF** is a **national-level Capture The Flag (CTF)** powered by **HackCulture** under the **CrackOn Community**, engineered to test **technical depth, analytical precision, and the ability to operate under real-world cyber pressure**. Inspired by the unsettling intensity and complexity of Dark Web series, this competition is not built around theory — it is built around **execution**. Every challenge is designed to simulate **authentic attack vectors, adversarial tactics, and investigative scenarios** that mirror modern threat landscapes.

Teams will confront hands-on problems across core cybersecurity domains including **Web Security, Cryptography, Digital Forensics, Reverse Engineering, OSINT, Blockchain**, and allied areas. Each stage demands more than knowledge — it demands **strategy, patience, and the ability to recognize patterns within chaos**. The competition follows a **structured, transparent, multi-stage progression**, beginning with an online qualifier and advancing strictly based on performance and the quality of submitted write-ups. Advancement is earned through **precision, clarity, and technical rigor**.

Beyond rankings and scoreboards, **DARK CTF 2026** exists to cultivate **ethical hacking**, strengthen real-world cyber skills, and foster collaboration within the national student security ecosystem.

### What’s at Stake ?

? **Prize Pool worth ₹8 Lakhs**, comprising premium cybersecurity certifications, professional licenses, and curated learning vouchers — recognizing not only skill, but **mastery**.

? Supported by leading industry sponsors including **APISEC, K7 Computing, and CTF7**, CRACKON 2026 stands as a convergence point between emerging talent and the evolving cybersecurity landscape.

? **No Registration Fee** — open to every student who is highly curious about cybersecurity simulation.

The event is conducted by the **CrackOn Community**.

8 Lakhs worth prize pool and special gifts for the top performers