Creative Minds 2026

Rules

This contains the common rules and information applicable to all participants, including:

The Participant Journey:

  1. REGISTER:

    Students register for the Creative Minds competition.

  2. SELECT CATEGORY

    Choose a competition category based on your area of interest and expertise.

  3. SELECT THEME

    Choose one theme from the available themes in the selected category.

  4. CREATE

    Develop the required work by following the challenge and requirements provided in the Category Rule Book.

  5. INTERVENE

    Present the work at the scheduled intervention checkpoints and incorporate the required feedback before continuing production.

  6. SUBMIT

    Prepare and submit the complete final submission according to the prescribed format and file structure.

  7. EVALUATE

    The completed work is evaluated by the appointed jury against the criteria defined for the selected category

Participation:

  • Categories may be Individual or Team-based, as specified in the Category Rule Book.
  • The required team size will be mentioned for each category.
  • Students may participate in multiple categories and may be part of multiple teams.
  • Team members must belong to the same Arena centre.
  • Team members cannot be changed after registration.

2.3. Registration:

  • Students must complete registration within the announced registration period.
  • Teams must register with all participating team members.
  • Participants select their category and one theme from the available options during registration.
  • The selected theme may be changed before the first intervention. After the first intervention, the theme is locked and cannot be changed.

Ethical Use of AI:

AI tools may be used only within the limits specified for the selected category.

Participants must:

  • Follow the AI-use requirements provided in the Category Rule Book.
  • Disclose AI-generated or AI-assisted content wherever required.
  • Maintain records of AI tools, workflows or prompts where the category requires them.
  • Ensure that their use of AI does not infringe copyright or other intellectual property rights.
  • Take responsibility for the accuracy, originality and integrity of the final submission.

AI is a creative tool, not a substitute for the participant's creative contribution.

The extent to which AI, third-party assets, pre-existing material or other external resources may be used can vary by category.

Always refer to the Category Rule Book for the specific requirements applicable to your challenge.

Prohibited Practices: The following may result in rejection or disqualification:

  • Plagiarism or submission of another person's work.
  • Outsourcing or purchasing substantial portions of the competition work.
  • Use of unregistered participants to create the submission.
  • Unauthorised assistance beyond what is permitted in the Category Rule Book.
  • False declarations about the creation or use of assets, AI or third-party content.
  • Copyright or licensing violations.
  • Misrepresentation of AI-generated or AI-assisted work where disclosure is required.
  • Any attempt to manipulate, interfere with or compromise the competition or evaluation process

Any violation of the competition rules may result in penalty, rejection of the submission or disqualification, depending on the nature and severity of the violation.