Alongside CII Education East 2026
Two competitions, open beyond the delegate list
A student case study competition on financial inclusion, and a short film contest celebrating teachers — both culminating at the summit in Kolkata on 19–20 November 2026.
Competition one
CII Boardroom Challenge
A case study competition on financial inclusion for students from Eastern India’s business schools.
Objective
Solutions that widen financial access
The competition encourages students to develop innovative solutions that bridge gaps in financial access, literacy and empowerment, and gives academia, industry and policymakers a platform to exchange insights.
- Eligibility
- Students enrolled at business schools in Eastern India
- Team size
- Exactly 3 members per team
- Finalists
- 3 from each of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar & Chhattisgarh
- Final round
- Live presentation on 19 November 2026, Kolkata
How it runs
Preliminary round. Teams submit a concept presentation in PowerPoint format, four pages maximum. The jury judges on the presentation only. The submission deadline is announced through official CII channels.
Final round. Shortlisted teams present live on the event day, including slides and a Q&A session, judged live within a specified time limit.
Judging criteria. Problem clarity backed by data, level of innovation, realistic implementation potential, measurable impact, financial feasibility, execution planning and presentation quality.
- Submissions must follow the stated page and time limits.
- Plagiarism is prohibited; proper citations are required.
- Only team members do the work — advisors are permitted but cannot contribute hands-on.
- No modifications are allowed after submission.
Competition two
CII Lights of Learning — Short Film Contest
Theme: “Celebrating Teachers: Pillars of Inclusive Education.”
Objective
Storytelling about the teachers who change lives
The contest celebrates the pivotal role teachers play in fostering learning, inclusivity, resilience and holistic development in students, told through visual storytelling.
- Open to
- Students, educators, filmmakers and enthusiasts
- Length
- Between 3 and 7 minutes
- Format
- Digital, MP4 preferred, HD resolution
- Language
- Any Indian language, with English subtitles
Guidelines
Content may be fiction or non-fiction, documentary or narrative style. It must be original, unplagiarised work suitable for general audiences.
Each entry must include the film title, a synopsis of 100–150 words, and the filmmaker’s contact details.
Judging criteria. Relevance to the theme, creativity and originality, technical quality — sound, visuals, editing — and emotional impact and storytelling effectiveness.
Deadline. Announced in advance through official CII channels.
Recognition. Winning films are showcased during CII Education East 2026, promoted on CII platforms, and awarded certificates and prizes.