Shiv Nadar Foundation (SNF) has announced the launch of the ICONIQ Quizverse Challenge, a pan-India inter-college quiz competition aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students, with the objective of promoting curiosity, critical thinking, and a culture of learning across campuses. The national-level initiative is open to students above 18 years of age and has been envisioned as an annual platform that brings together learners from diverse disciplines and institutions. The competition will follow a hybrid format, beginning with online qualifiers and moving to City Rounds and Zonal Finals in Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata, before culminating in a National Final. The total prize pool for the Challenge stands at ₹25 lakh.
Announcing the initiative, Sundar Mahalingam, President–Strategy, HCL Group and Shiv Nadar Foundation, said the Foundation aims to build India’s most respected inter-college knowledge platform by placing curiosity and learning at the core of campus culture. The contest format is being developed in collaboration with the Tree of Knowledge team led by quiz pioneer Siddhartha Basu, who said the initiative would help strengthen a national learning ecosystem that values inquiry and independent thought.
In Kolkata, the inclusion of the city as a zonal hub is expected to energise the region’s strong inter-college quizzing culture, drawing participation from universities across eastern India and reinforcing Kolkata’s reputation as a knowledge-driven academic centre. Registrations are open until February 21, 2026, with the National Finals scheduled for April 2026. Students can register through the official app.
