📌About the Event

The AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship 2026, also known as AM/NS India TCTC 2026, is a national-level competition for students from Classes 3 to 12. Organised by the Times Foundation with support from ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, the championship aims to strengthen reasoning, problem-solving, evidence-based decision-making and independent thinking among school students. Participants progress through written or digital assessments, video-based evaluations, a national semi-final and a live national final in New Delhi.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Event name: AM/NS India Times Critical Thinking Championship 2026
• Event type: National-level critical thinking and reasoning championship
• Participation type: Student-level participation across three age-appropriate tiers
• Geographical coverage: Open to eligible students residing and studying in recognised schools across India
• Mode of conduct: Hybrid—online, video-based and offline stages

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📅 Important Dates

• Registration opened: May 2026
• Last date to register: 31 August 2026
• Preparation resources available until: 31 August 2026
• Round 1 assessment window: Open until 31 August 2026
• Round 2 video assessment window: Open until 31 August 2026
• Final shortlist announcement: August 2026; an exact date has not been published.
• National semi-final: 11 September 2026
• National final: 12 September 2026
• Semi-final venue: DPS R.K. Puram, New Delhi
• Final venue: Pradhan Mantri Sangrahalaya, Teen Murti, New Delhi

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Who can participate:
  • Students studying in Classes 3 to 12 are eligible.
  • Participants must reside in India and be enrolled in a recognised educational institution.
  • Students from government, government-aided and private schools across all educational boards can participate.
  • The participant’s class as of 12 September 2026 will be considered for the championship.
  • Participants are divided into three categories:
  • Tier I: Classes 3–5
  • Tier II: Classes 6–8
  • Tier III: Classes 9–12
  • Parent or legal guardian consent is required because participants are minors.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• The championship will recognise:
• National semi-finalists
• Nine national finalists
• Top three national winners
• E-certificates will be awarded to students at different stages of the championship.
• Top-performing students will receive prizes, national-level recognition and championship honours.
• Registered participants can access preparation content, guided learning resources, practice questions and quizzes.
• Students may also win gifts through preparation quizzes and activities published by the organisers.