Social Summer of Code (SSoC)

What it is: A ~2-month India-led open-source program (large contributor community). Contributors join projects, merge PRs, and earn points on a leaderboard — certificates, prizes, and swag rather than a GSoC-scale cash stipend.

Who can apply: Students and developers worldwide; beginner-friendly tracks exist.

Typical timeline (verify each season on the portal):

• Registration — often April–May
• Coding phase — often June–August
• Results — often mid-August

Cost: Free to register.

Official: socialsummerofcode.com · Portal: portal.socialsummerofcode.com

Security: Only trust contact from socialsummerofcode@gmail.com and verified social accounts listed on the official site.

Tip: Good ramp before GSoC/Outreachy; pair with paid programs once you have merged PRs to show.