Kolkata Students Showcase Leadership, Critical Thinking at Shiv Nadar’s Think Challenge 2026

A celebration of intellect, creativity, and critical thinking unfolded in Kolkata as Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, successfully hosted the second edition of its flagship East India inter-school event, Think Challenge 2026, at the prestigious Tollygunge Club. Designed as a platform that goes beyond conventional academic competitions, the event brought together some of the brightest young minds from across West Bengal to test their analytical abilities, teamwork, communication skills, and leadership potential.

The competition witnessed the participation of 48 students representing 15 schools. These finalists were selected through a rigorous multi-stage process that began with outreach to more than 180 schools across Kolkata and various districts of West Bengal. Following competitive online preliminary rounds held on May 2, students from Classes IX to XII earned the opportunity to compete in the final round across three challenging formats — Leadership Lab, Quiz, and Debate.

Participants competed not only for trophies, certificates, and cash prizes but also for an all-expenses-paid visit to Shiv Nadar University’s Delhi-NCR campus, adding an exciting incentive to the intellectually stimulating contest.

Reflecting on the philosophy behind the initiative, Ananya Mukherjee, Vice-Chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, said, “The Think Challenge reflects what we value most at Shiv Nadar University — not how much a student knows, but how clearly they think, how well they work with others and how they hold their ground while still listening. Watching students test themselves in unfamiliar formats was a reminder that talent in this country is abundant.”

The day commenced with the Leadership Lab, an immersive case-study competition where teams of two stepped into the role of decision-makers facing real-world challenges. Participants tackled scenarios drawn from business, finance, crisis management, sports, and entertainment, requiring them to balance logic, creativity, strategic thinking, and leadership skills under pressure.

The winning team in this segment was Delhi Public School Ruby Park, represented by Avaneesh Mishra and Ayush Abhinandan Chowdhury, who successfully addressed a complex challenge centred on a youth climate summit. Reflecting on the experience, Avaneesh described the competition as an opportunity to expand his perspective as a commerce student while gaining practical exposure to crisis management. Ayush praised the thoughtfully designed cases and the intellectually stimulating environment created by the organisers.

The competition was judged by an accomplished panel comprising AI entrepreneur Chand T. Mazumdar, journalist Dipanjan Sinha, and academic and content creator Rajita Banerjee.

The momentum continued with an engaging Quiz Competition conducted by veteran quizmaster Arijit Sen. Covering a diverse range of topics including science, technology and current affairs, the contest challenged participants to think quickly and accurately while keeping the audience thoroughly engaged.

Emerging victorious in the quiz segment were Hitansh Kedia and Zasha Lahiri from The Heritage School, who demonstrated impressive knowledge and composure throughout the rounds.

The final and perhaps most thought-provoking segment of the event was the Debate Competition, moderated by academic and seasoned debater Aastha Agarwal. Students engaged with the contemporary motion: “This House believes that in today’s AI-driven world, purpose will follow productivity.” The debate challenged participants to examine one of the defining issues of their generation, exploring the evolving relationship between technology, human ambition and meaningful work.

The debate was adjudicated by a distinguished panel comprising Sujata Sen, CEO of Future Hope; Pradeep Gooptu, senior journalist and co-founder of the Calcutta Debating Circle; and Rahul Datta, academic and debater. The contest proved to be exceptionally competitive, ultimately requiring a tiebreaker to determine the winner.

La Martiniere for Girls, represented by Trisha Kaur Ahluwalia and Tiana Purohit, secured the championship title with their compelling arguments and persuasive delivery. Adding to the school’s success, Tiana Purohit was also recognised as the Best Speaker of the competition.

Speaking about the significance of the event, Rajeev Kumar Singh, Professor of Computer Science and Chair of Admissions, Shiv Nadar University, Delhi-NCR, remarked, “What excites me most about an event like this is watching school students reason their way through problems they have never encountered before. We are not testing how much they already know; we are looking for the willingness to think aloud, to question and to build on one another’s ideas.”

As the curtains came down on Think Challenge 2026, the event reinforced its reputation as a platform that goes beyond conventional academic contests. By encouraging students to analyse complex issues, defend ideas, collaborate with peers, and think creatively under pressure, the competition provided participants with valuable experiences that mirror real-world challenges.

Through initiatives such as Think Challenge, Shiv Nadar University continues to foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, leadership, and innovation, while creating meaningful opportunities for school students to showcase their talents and prepare for the demands of an increasingly dynamic future.