Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi
Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge is a strategy case competition for undergraduate teams across India, run under Navmanthan by the Ethiccraft Society with Kirori Mal College, Delhi. Register on Unstop by 16 April 2026 to compete for a prize pool worth up to ₹10,000.
- Funding amount
- ₹6,000 (competition)
- Funding type
- Competition
- Application deadline
- Closed (16 Apr 2026)
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Overview
Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge is the flagship event of Navmanthan, organised by the Ethiccraft Society together with Kirori Mal College (KMC), University of Delhi. It is a case competition for undergraduate students, built around demanding corporate scenarios instead of classroom theory.
Teams are handed a business problem and asked to build a solution that survives scrutiny — one that weighs efficiency against ethics and long-term viability. The contest tests structured thinking and responsible judgement as much as analytical ability, and mirrors the trade-offs managers face inside real organisations.
Anyone enrolled in an undergraduate programme at an Indian institution can take part. A team may have between one and four members, and teammates do not need to come from the same college, which keeps the range of perspectives wide.
Registration happens entirely through Unstop and closes on 16 April 2026. Shortlisted teams go on to a final round hosted on campus at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where they present and defend their strategy before a panel of judges.
Highlights
- Flagship Navmanthan event by the Ethiccraft Society with Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi
- Open to undergraduate students from any Indian institution; teams of 1 to 4 members, cross-college teams welcome
- Register on Unstop by 16 April 2026
- Round 1 is an online PPT/PDF case submission; Round 2 is an on-campus presentation and Q&A at KMC, Delhi
- Prize pool worth up to ₹10,000 — ₹3,000, ₹2,000 and ₹1,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards
- Judged on problem understanding, depth of analysis, feasibility of the solution and clarity of presentation
Who can apply
Echelon is meant for undergraduate students, and any institution in India qualifies — there is no restriction by college, city, course or stream.
- Team size: one to four members.
- Mixed teams allowed: participants from different colleges may enter as a single team.
- Level of study: undergraduate students only.
Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
- Eligible stage
- Any stage
- Location
- Open to startups registered in India
Deadline & timing
The most recent application window for Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi closed on 16 Apr 2026. Many programmes run repeat cohorts, so it is worth checking the official site for the next round.
What the funding covers
Echelon awards prizes rather than investing, so winners take home cash and rewards with no equity, no dilution and nothing to repay.
The overall prize pool is worth up to ₹10,000, combining cash with in-kind rewards:
- Winner: ₹3,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards worth up to ₹5,000.
- First runner-up: ₹2,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards worth up to ₹3,000.
- Second runner-up: ₹1,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards worth up to ₹2,000.
Cash prizes therefore add up to ₹6,000 across the three winning teams.
Beyond the money, participants earn certificates and additional rewards, competitive recognition, exposure to real business problems, and practice in defending their thinking in front of a judging panel.
How to apply
Applications are submitted on the . Confirm the current deadline and document checklist there before you start.
Selection process
The challenge runs in two rounds.
Round 1 — Online case submission. Registered teams receive a business case and submit their solution as a PowerPoint or PDF file through Unstop. Entries are scored on how well the problem has been understood, the depth of the analysis, how practical and feasible the proposed answer is, and how clearly the presentation is structured. The strongest teams advance.
Round 2 — On-campus final presentation. Shortlisted teams come to Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, to present their strategy before a panel of judges. Each team walks through its approach in a structured presentation and then faces an interactive Q&A round in which it has to defend the decisions behind the solution.
Documents you’ll need
Before you apply to Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi, keep the following documents ready:
- A pitch deck or short business plan describing the problem, product and traction
- Company registration documents and PAN
- Founder identification (PAN / Aadhaar) and brief profiles
- Recent financial statements or projections
- Product details — a demo, prototype or working link if available
Exact requirements are confirmed on the official application portal — treat this as a preparation checklist.
Who this is best for
Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi is best suited for startups in India seeking non-dilutive funding of ₹6,000. If that describes your startup, review the eligibility criteria above before applying.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge?
It is a strategy case competition held under Navmanthan, the flagship event of the Ethiccraft Society, in association with Kirori Mal College (KMC), University of Delhi. Teams are given a corporate-style business problem, build a strategy for it and defend that strategy — first through an online submission and then, if shortlisted, in person at KMC.
Who is eligible to take part in Echelon?
Any undergraduate student enrolled at an institution in India. Teams can be as small as one member or as large as four, and there is no bar on members coming from different colleges.
How much can a team win at Echelon?
The prize pool is worth up to ₹10,000 in total. The winner receives ₹3,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards of up to ₹5,000, the first runner-up gets ₹2,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards up to ₹3,000, and the second runner-up takes ₹1,000 in cash plus in-kind rewards up to ₹2,000. That works out to ₹6,000 in cash across the three places.
What is the last date to register for Echelon?
Registration closes on 16 April 2026. Entries are accepted through the official Unstop listing for the competition.
How do we apply for Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge?
Register your team on Unstop, which is the platform hosting the challenge. Once registered, teams receive the Round 1 case and upload their solution there in PPT or PDF format.
How many rounds does the competition have, and what happens in each?
There are two rounds. Round 1 is an online case submission, assessed on the submitted deck. Round 2 is the on-campus final at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, where shortlisted teams present their strategy and then answer questions from the judging panel.
What do the judges look for in the entries?
Four things: whether the team has correctly understood the problem, how deep the analysis goes, whether the solution is practical and feasible, and how clearly and logically it is presented.
Can students from different colleges form one team?
Yes. Cross-college teams are welcome, and a team may have anywhere between one and four members.
Do participants get certificates or other rewards?
Yes. Alongside the cash and in-kind prizes, the competition offers certificates and additional rewards, plus the recognition that comes with presenting at a final round hosted by Kirori Mal College.
Is Echelon open only to students in Delhi?
No. Teams from any institution in India can register. Delhi only comes into play for the final round, which is held on campus at Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi.
Does Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi take equity?
No. Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi is competition and is non-dilutive — the provider does not take an equity stake in your startup.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi, though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
How do I apply for Echelon: The Strategy Case Challenge — ₹6,000 Cash Prize, KMC Delhi?
Apply directly through the official application link on this page. Review the eligibility criteria and prepare your startup documents before you begin.
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