Noida, Feb 3: Shiv Nadar Foundation a philanthropic organisation dedicated to advancing education, is pleased to announce the launch of the ICONIQ Quizverse Challenge, a pan-India inter-college quiz competition for undergraduate and postgraduate students.

This initiative has been created to encourage curiosity, critical thinking, and a love for learning among young people. By offering a common platform for students from diverse institutions and disciplines, the Challenge seeks to nurture a supportive and vibrant quizzing culture across campuses. Envisioned as an annual event, the ICONIQ Quizverse Challenge hopes to contribute to India’s academic and infotainment landscape by providing students with opportunities to learn, connect, and grow together.

Commenting on the launch, Sundar Mahalingam, President Strategy, HCL Group and Shiv Nadar Foundation, said,

“At Shiv Nadar Foundation, we are happy to introduce this national-level quiz platform. Through the ICONIQ Quizverse Challenge, we aim to establish India’s most respected inter-college knowledge platform and position curiosity and learning at the heart of campus culture. We hope to grow this initiative into India’s most vibrant inter-college quiz community, where knowing and thinking truly matter.”

The Challenge will unfold through a mix of online and offline rounds, beginning with inclusive online qualifiers and progressing to City Rounds and Zonal Finals in Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The journey will culminate in a National Final, blending the accessibility of digital participation with the excitement of live competition. Open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students above 18 years old, the competition offers a prize pool of INR 25 lakh to support and reward student achievement.

At the heart of the Challenge is an interactive digital ecosystem designed for daily play, real-time performance tracking, and community engagement that continues beyond the competition stage. The contest format is being developed in collaboration with the Tree of Knowledge team, led by quiz pioneer Siddhartha Basu, whose work has inspired generations of learners.

Commenting on the announcement, Siddhartha Basu said,

“A society that values knowledge is a society that prepares itself for the future. For decades, quizzing in India has built both knowledge and readiness for the future. I am particularly excited that Shiv Nadar Foundation is taking this forward, because its belief in education as a public good aligns perfectly with what a national quiz movement should stand for. ICONIQ Quizverse Challenge gives us a chance to strengthen a learning ecosystem that prizes inquiry, evidence, and independent thought—skills India will need more than ever.”