IIM Bangalore Announces National Student Case Challenge 2026 With Rs 5 Lakh Prize Pool
IIM Bangalore has invited undergraduate and postgraduate students from recognised Indian institutions to participate in the CDPG National Student Case Challenge 2026. Centred on DigiYatra and India’s Digital Public Infrastructure, the competition will be held across three tracks, with a total prize pool of Rs 5 lakh.
Students from colleges and universities across India can now apply for the CDPG National Student Case Challenge 2026, organised by the Center for Digital Public Goods (CDPG) at the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB).
The competition will give students an opportunity to analyse real-world questions linked to Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in India. This year’s challenge will use DigiYatra as the central case and will require participants to explore issues related to technology, policy, governance, privacy, inclusion and public value.
The competition will be held in two stages. Teams selected after the first stage will compete in the national finals, which are scheduled to take place at the IIM Bangalore campus on September 30, 2026.
The challenge has a total prize pool of Rs 5 lakh. According to the competition brochure, the winner of each of the three tracks will receive Rs 1 lakh, with the remaining prize money distributed among other recognised positions.
Three Tracks For Participants
Students can choose from three areas for their case analysis:
- Technology & Design
- Policy & Regulation
- Governance & Ecosystem Management
For the first stage, participating teams will have to prepare and submit a presentation. The submission can contain one title slide and a maximum of four content slides. Following the evaluation of Stage I entries, nine teams will be selected for the final round, with three teams representing each track.
Eligibility For IIMB CDPG Case Challenge
The challenge is open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students. To participate, candidates must meet the following requirements:
- They must be enrolled in a recognised Indian college or university.
- Students from any academic background can apply.
- Each team must have five members.
- Students can be part of only one team.
- Teams with students from different disciplines, academic years and programmes are encouraged.
Organisers also encourage gender-balanced and interdisciplinary teams.
The DigiYatra-based case will require participants to think about how India’s existing digital infrastructure could be adapted for additional use cases. Their proposals will need to consider the balance between technological innovation and concerns such as privacy, governance, inclusion and long-term public interest.
IIM Bangalore Case Challenge 2026: Key Dates
Applications and submissions for the first stage are already underway. The important dates are:
- Stage I submissions begin: August 14, 2026
- Last date to submit: September 7, 2026, by 6 PM IST
- Announcement of shortlisted teams: By September 15, 2026
- National Finals: September 30, 2026, at IIM Bangalore
How Will Entries Be Evaluated?
The first-stage presentations will be assessed on several aspects of the teams’ proposed solutions. The evaluation will focus on:
- Quality and originality of analysis: 30%
- Systems thinking: 20%
- Feasibility of recommendations: 20%
- Understanding of technology, policy and governance trade-offs: 20%
- Presentation quality and clarity: 10%
The organisers are looking for solutions that go beyond innovation alone. Participants are expected to demonstrate how their recommendations can maintain trust, inclusion, proportionality and sustainability. Teams will also need to clearly explain the assumptions on which their proposals are based.
The challenge therefore offers students an opportunity to work on a contemporary digital governance problem while competing for a share of the Rs 5 lakh prize pool and a place in the national finals at IIM Bangalore.
