Registrations open National · Classes 8–12
Topper Mantra Innovation Challenge 2026
Find a real problem — in your classroom, your street, your family's phone — and build something that solves it. TMIC is a national challenge for school students with 300 problem statements, six themes and prizes worth up to ₹1,00,000.
- Prize pool
- Up to ₹1,00,000
- Who can enter
- Classes 8–12
- Team size
- 2–4 students
- Problem statements
- 300 in 6 themes
- Format
- Online, then finale
Not a quiz, a build
There are no exam questions in TMIC. Your team picks one real problem that schools, families and communities in India face every day, studies it properly, and builds a solution that someone could actually use.
It doesn't have to be an app. A working model, a low-cost device, a better process or a well-designed campaign can win — if it solves the problem well.
Identify
Choose one of 300 problem statements. Each one explains the background, the objectives and the impact a good solution should have.
Build
Design and build your solution as a team of two to four, with a teacher or mentor guiding you if you like.
Present
Submit your work online. Shortlisted teams present live at the grand finale and compete for prizes worth up to ₹1,00,000.
Six themes, fifty problems each
Each theme is split into five focus areas with ten problem statements in each. Read them below, or download a theme's handbook to share with your team and teacher.
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School Innovation
Learning, school culture, teacher and parent support, campus spaces, and the daily running of a school.
- APersonalized Learning & Classroom Innovation
- BStudent Development, Leadership & School Culture
- CTeacher Support, Parent Engagement & Institutional Systems
- DCampus Design, Infrastructure & Learning Spaces
- ESchool Operations, Safety & Resource Management
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Health, Diet & First Aid
Nutrition, first aid and emergencies, hygiene, fitness and posture, and adolescent and mental health.
- ANutrition & Diet Intelligence
- BFirst Aid & Emergency Response
- CHygiene & Infection Prevention
- DFitness, Posture & Physical Health
- EMental Wellness, Adolescent Health & Preventive Care
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Environment, Climate & Agriculture
Local climate risk, waste and recycling, water and air, greener campuses, and resilience for farming families.
- AClimate Awareness, Local Risk & Disaster Preparedness
- BWaste Management & Circular Economy
- CWater, Air & Pollution Control
- DGreen Campus, Energy & Biodiversity
- EAgriculture Risk, Rural Environment & Community Resilience
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Society & Women Safety
Safer routes and public spaces, emergency response, confidential reporting, and campus and community safety.
- APublic Space & Route Safety Systems
- BEmergency Response & Safety Devices
- CReporting, Evidence & Privacy-Safe Support
- DSchool, Campus & Community Safety Infrastructure
- ESocial Protection, Inclusion & Civic Safety Tech
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Governance & Transparency
Public services, grievances and accountability, fair process, student voice, and welfare delivery.
- APublic Service Transparency & Citizen Access
- BGrievance, Complaint & Accountability Systems
- CAnti-Corruption, Fair Process & Public Trust
- DSchool Governance, Student Voice & Institutional Transparency
- EWelfare Delivery, Civic Participation & Community Governance
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Cyber Safety & Online Fraud
Scams and fraud, identity and privacy, online harassment, digital payments, and cyber-safe schools.
- AOnline Fraud Detection & Prevention
- BIdentity, Privacy & Account Protection
- CCyberbullying, Digital Harassment & Online Abuse
- DFinancial Cyber Safety & Digital Payment Protection
- ECyber Awareness Infrastructure, School Systems & Community Protection
Find your problem
Search all 300 statements by keyword, theme or focus area. Open one to read the background, objectives, scope and expected impact — then note its ID for your submission.
From sign-up to stage
Registrations are open and every problem statement is live. Dates for the later rounds will be published here and sent to every registered team.
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Open now
Registrations open
Register your team through the official form. Registration is the only way to receive round details and submission links.
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Available now
Problem statements released
All 300 problem statements across six themes are published. Read them on this page or download the theme handbooks.
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Date to be announced
Solution submission
Submit your abstract, presentation deck and an optional two-minute demo video for the problem you chose.
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Date to be announced
Evaluation and shortlist
The jury reviews every complete submission against the published criteria and announces the shortlisted teams.
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Date to be announced
Grand finale
Shortlisted teams present their working solution live and answer questions from the jury.
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Date to be announced
Results and awards
Winners are announced and prizes, trophies and certificates are awarded.
Five steps, start to finish
Everything your team needs to do, in order. If anything is unclear, read the FAQ or write to us.
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Register your team
Fill in the registration form with your team leader's details, school, team members and preferred theme.
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Choose one problem
Pick a problem statement from any theme. Note its ID (for example TMIC-SI-001) — you will quote it in your submission.
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Build your solution
Make it real: an app, a website, a hardware prototype, a physical model or a process a school can actually adopt. Code is optional; clear thinking is not.
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Submit
Send an abstract, a short presentation deck and, if you can, a two-minute demo video before the submission deadline.
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Present at the finale
If you are shortlisted, you will pitch your solution to the jury and answer their questions.
Who can participate
- Open to school students in Classes 8 to 12 across India, from any board.
- Teams of two to four students. Students from the same school are encouraged to team up.
- A teacher or mentor may guide your team, but the work must be your team's own.
- Each student can be part of only one team.
- Solutions can be software, hardware, a physical model or a process — whatever solves the problem best.
What you submit
- a.AbstractThe problem ID, the problem in your own words, your solution, and how it would be used.
- b.Presentation deckEight to ten slides covering the problem, your approach, how it works and its expected impact.
- c.Demo videoOptional. Up to two minutes showing your prototype or model working.
What's on the table
Cash prizes, trophies and certificates for the best teams, and recognition for every team that sees its entry through.
₹1,00,000
Prizes worth up to ₹1,00,000 are shared between the winning teams and special recognitions. The full split is announced with the finale schedule.
Winner
- Winner's trophy
- Cash prize
- Certificate of excellence
First runner-up
- Trophy
- Cash prize
- Certificate of merit
Second runner-up
- Trophy
- Cash prize
- Certificate of merit
How entries are scored
Every complete submission is reviewed against the same five criteria. Use them as a checklist while you build — they are exactly what the jury will look for.
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25%
Innovation and originality
How new and thoughtful is the approach compared with what already exists?
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25%
Problem relevance and impact
Does it solve the chosen problem for the people who actually face it?
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20%
Practical feasibility
Could a school, family or community realistically use it with the resources they have?
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20%
Execution of the prototype
How well does the prototype or model work, and how clearly is it designed?
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10%
Clarity of the pitch
How clearly does the team explain the problem, the solution and its trade-offs?
Questions, answered
Can't find what you need? Email official@toppermantra.com or message us on WhatsApp.
Who can take part?
Any school student in Classes 8 to 12 in India, from any board — CBSE, ICSE, state boards or international curricula. You can participate through your school or as an independent team.
Do we need to know coding?
No. Many problem statements can be solved with a physical model, a process, a campaign or a low-cost device. If you can code, an app or website is welcome too. Judges look at how well the solution solves the problem.
How many students can be in a team?
Two to four students. A teacher or mentor can guide you, but the work should be your team's own.
How do we choose a problem statement?
Browse the 300 problems on this page or download a theme handbook. Pick one that you understand well and care about. Quote its ID (for example TMIC-HDFA-012) in your submission.
Can we suggest our own problem?
Your solution should address one of the published problem statements. You can narrow it down — for example to your school or town — as long as it clearly answers the chosen statement.
What do we have to submit?
An abstract, a presentation deck of eight to ten slides and, optionally, a demo video of up to two minutes. Submission links are sent to registered teams.
When are the deadlines?
Registrations are open now. Submission, shortlist and finale dates will be published on this page and shared with registered teams.
How are entries judged?
On innovation (25%), problem relevance and impact (25%), practical feasibility (20%), execution of the prototype (20%) and clarity of the pitch (10%).
Will every participant get a certificate?
Yes. Every team that submits a complete entry receives a certificate of participation.
Our school wants to bring several teams. Who do we contact?
Write to official@toppermantra.com or call +91 70500 99935 and we will help your school register.
Your idea could be the one that works
Register your team today. You'll receive round details, submission links and dates as they are announced.