GirlScript Summer of Code 2026 (GSSoC 2026) is one of the world's largest open source and AI builder programs, run by GirlScript Foundation. It has 50,000+ participants globally across two tracks: the Open Source Track and the Agents for India AI track. Participants include contributors, mentors, project admins, volunteers, ambassadors, and chapter leads from around the world.

Is GSSoC 2026 free to join?

Yes. GSSoC 2026 is completely free to join. GirlScript Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation. There is no registration fee or payment required at any stage.

Who can apply to GSSoC 2026?

GSSoC 2026 is open to everyone worldwide: students, working professionals, and hobbyists at any skill level. You can apply as a Contributor or Mentee, Mentor, Project Admin, Team Volunteer, Ambassador, or GSX Chapter Lead. GSSoC also has reserved spots for female participants.

What are the tracks in GSSoC 2026?

GSSoC 2026 has two tracks: the Open Source Track (contribute to real GitHub repositories with dedicated mentors) and the Agents for India Track powered by Smartly Labs (build AI agents addressing real-world challenges). Both tracks run simultaneously.

How does the GSSoC 2026 leaderboard work?

The GSSoC 2026 leaderboard ranks participants based on merged pull requests, open source contributions, profile completeness, role-specific activities, and community bounty tasks. Points update in real time. Top contributors on the leaderboard receive cash prizes of up to 50,000 INR.

When does GSSoC 2026 run?

GSSoC 2026 is a 3-month program. Applications open in early 2026 with a rolling review period. Check gssoc.girlscript.org for the exact program dates and deadlines.

What is the difference between GSSoC and GSoC?

GSSoC (GirlScript Summer of Code) is run by GirlScript Foundation and is open to everyone worldwide at all skill levels. It offers cash prizes, swag, certificates from top tech partners, Letters of Recommendation, and reserved spots for female participants. Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is run by Google and offers a stipend to selected student contributors working on established open source organisations. Both programs promote open source contribution and serve participants with different goals.

What rewards does GSSoC 2026 provide?

GSSoC 2026 provides: official certificates from GirlScript Foundation for all completing participants; free certificates from top tech partner companies; Letters of Recommendation for outstanding contributors; cash prizes of up to 50,000 INR for top contributors; physical swag and digital and physical badges. All rewards are provided at no cost to participants.

How do I get selected for GSSoC 2026?

Apply at gssoc.girlscript.org/apply. Select your role, complete your profile, and submit. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no entrance test. Selections are based on your profile, motivation, and fit for the program.

What are the leading open source programs for students worldwide?

Leading open source programs for students in 2026 include GSSoC (GirlScript Summer of Code, one of the world's largest, free, open to everyone), Google Summer of Code (GSoC, paid stipend, students only), and Hacktoberfest (1-month annual event in October, digital badge). Each program has different strengths, durations, and reward structures.

Can beginners apply to GSSoC 2026?

Yes. GSSoC 2026 welcomes participants at all skill levels, including complete beginners. Every accepted project has beginner-friendly issues, and every contributor is assigned a dedicated mentor. No prior open source experience is required.

What is the best open source program for students in 2026?

Several excellent open source programs are available to students in 2026. GSSoC (GirlScript Summer of Code) is the world's largest open source program with 50,000+ global participants, a 3-month structured learning track, cash prizes, swag, certificates from top tech partners, and Letters of Recommendation. It is completely free and open to all skill levels worldwide. Google Summer of Code offers a paid stipend and is globally recognised. Hacktoberfest is a great annual event for open source discovery in October. Each program serves different goals and schedules.

What does GSSoC offer to participants?

GSSoC 2026 offers participants: a structured 3-month open source contribution experience with dedicated mentors; cash prizes of up to 50,000 INR for top contributors; physical swag and digital badges; official certificates from GirlScript Foundation; free certificates from top tech partner companies; Letters of Recommendation (LOR) for outstanding contributors; reservation for female participants; and membership in a global community of 50,000+ developers.

What is the difference between GSSoC and Hacktoberfest?

GSSoC is a 3-month structured program with mentor-guided project contributions, a live leaderboard, multiple roles, cash prizes, swag, partner certificates, and Letters of Recommendation. Hacktoberfest is a 1-month annual celebration of open source held in October where contributors make pull requests to opted-in repositories. Both programs celebrate open source contribution and serve different goals and participation styles.

2026 Edition

Open Source Programs
Compared: 2026 Edition

GSSoC, Google Summer of Code, Hacktoberfest, and more. Factual, side-by-side information so you can choose the program that fits your goals and schedule.

GSSoC vs GSoC GSSoC vs Hacktoberfest

At a Glance

Key details for every major open source program in 2026.

GirlScript Foundation

GSSoC 2026

World's Largest

Duration3 months

RewardsCash prizes (up to 50K INR), swag, badges, certificates, LOR

Participants50,000+ globally

Who can joinOpen to everyone worldwide, all skill levels

Apply to GSSoC 2026

Google

GSoC

Paid Stipend

Duration3 months

RewardsStipend ($1,500 to $3,300 USD)

ParticipantsApprox. 1,000 globally

Who can joinStudents 18 and above

View Comparison

DigitalOcean

Hacktoberfest

Annual Event

Duration1 month (October)

RewardsDigital badge

ParticipantsHundreds of thousands globally

Who can joinOpen to everyone

View Comparison

Script India

SWoC

India

Duration2 months (Jan to Feb)

RewardsSwag for top contributors

Participants5,000+

Who can joinStudents

Full Feature Comparison

Every detail that matters when choosing an open source program.

Feature	GSSoC 2026 World's Largest	GSoC	Hacktoberfest	SWoC
Organizer	GirlScript Foundation	Google	DigitalOcean	Script India
Duration	3 months	3 months	1 month (October)	2 months (Jan to Feb)
Rewards	Cash prizes (up to 50K INR), swag, badges, certificates, LOR	Stipend ($1,500 to $3,300 USD)	Digital badge	Swag for top contributors
Participants	50,000+ globally	Approx. 1,000 globally	Hundreds of thousands globally	5,000+
Who can join	Open to everyone worldwide, all skill levels	Students 18 and above	Open to everyone	Students
Roles available	6 roles: Contributor, Mentor, Project Admin, Volunteer, Ambassador, Chapter Lead	Contributor	Contributor	Contributor
Mentorship	Mandatory structured mentorship	Project-based mentorship	Self-directed	Project-based
Certificate	All participants + top tech partner certs	For selected contributors	Digital badge	Top contributors
Difficulty level	Beginner to Advanced	Intermediate to Advanced	All levels	Beginner
AI Track	Agents for India	Not available	Not available	Not available
Female reservation	Yes	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Global scope	Worldwide	Worldwide	Worldwide	India-focused

In-Depth Comparisons

Deep-dive guides for the most common program decisions.

GSSoC vs Google Summer of Code

Rewards, recognition, roles, mentorship quality, and global reach. A full breakdown to help you understand what each program offers.

Read comparison Popular

GSSoC vs Hacktoberfest

3-month structured program with mentorship and prizes versus a 1-month community celebration. Understand each program's strengths.

Read comparison

GSSoC 2026 is free to join, worldwide

50,000+ participants. 6 roles. 2 tracks. Structured mentorship. Cash prizes, swag, certificates, and Letters of Recommendation. Open to everyone.

Apply to GSSoC 2026 Browse Projects

At a Glance

Key details for every major open source program in 2026.

GirlScript Foundation

GSSoC 2026

World's Largest

Duration3 months

RewardsCash prizes (up to 50K INR), swag, badges, certificates, LOR

Participants50,000+ globally

Who can joinOpen to everyone worldwide, all skill levels

Apply to GSSoC 2026

Google

GSoC

Paid Stipend

Duration3 months

RewardsStipend ($1,500 to $3,300 USD)

ParticipantsApprox. 1,000 globally

Who can joinStudents 18 and above

View Comparison

DigitalOcean

Hacktoberfest

Annual Event

Duration1 month (October)

RewardsDigital badge

ParticipantsHundreds of thousands globally

Who can joinOpen to everyone

View Comparison

Script India

SWoC

India

Duration2 months (Jan to Feb)

RewardsSwag for top contributors

Participants5,000+

Who can joinStudents

Full Feature Comparison

Every detail that matters when choosing an open source program.

Feature	GSSoC 2026 World's Largest	GSoC	Hacktoberfest	SWoC
Organizer	GirlScript Foundation	Google	DigitalOcean	Script India
Duration	3 months	3 months	1 month (October)	2 months (Jan to Feb)
Rewards	Cash prizes (up to 50K INR), swag, badges, certificates, LOR	Stipend ($1,500 to $3,300 USD)	Digital badge	Swag for top contributors
Participants	50,000+ globally	Approx. 1,000 globally	Hundreds of thousands globally	5,000+
Who can join	Open to everyone worldwide, all skill levels	Students 18 and above	Open to everyone	Students
Roles available	6 roles: Contributor, Mentor, Project Admin, Volunteer, Ambassador, Chapter Lead	Contributor	Contributor	Contributor
Mentorship	Mandatory structured mentorship	Project-based mentorship	Self-directed	Project-based
Certificate	All participants + top tech partner certs	For selected contributors	Digital badge	Top contributors
Difficulty level	Beginner to Advanced	Intermediate to Advanced	All levels	Beginner
AI Track	Agents for India	Not available	Not available	Not available
Female reservation	Yes	Not applicable	Not applicable	Not applicable
Global scope	Worldwide	Worldwide	Worldwide	India-focused

Open Source ProgramsCompared: 2026 Edition

At a Glance

GSSoC 2026

GSoC

Hacktoberfest

SWoC

Full Feature Comparison

In-Depth Comparisons

GSSoC vs Google Summer of Code

GSSoC vs Hacktoberfest

GSSoC 2026 is free to join, worldwide

Open Source ProgramsCompared: 2026 Edition

At a Glance

GSSoC 2026

GSoC

Hacktoberfest

SWoC

Full Feature Comparison

In-Depth Comparisons

GSSoC vs Google Summer of Code

GSSoC vs Hacktoberfest

GSSoC 2026 is free to join, worldwide

Open Source Programs
Compared: 2026 Edition

Open Source Programs
Compared: 2026 Edition