📌About the Event

i-Quest 2026 is a national-level innovation challenge organised by HPCL-Mittal Energy Limited (HMEL) for UG, PG and PhD students across India. The competition invites students to develop original and practical solutions for real-world challenges in energy, petrochemicals, sustainability, specialty chemicals, decarbonisation and emerging technologies.

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ℹ️ Event Details

• Level: National
• Mode: Online idea submission followed by a virtual or live final pitch for shortlisted teams.
• Team size: 2–5 members, including 1 mandatory faculty mentor.
• All team members and the mentor must belong to the same institute.
• Interdisciplinary and cross-year teams are allowed.
• Each team can submit a maximum of 2 different ideas.
• Each idea requires a separate 300–350 word abstract submission.

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📅 Important Dates

• Idea Submission Deadline: September 6, 2026
• Winner Declaration: 1st week of October 2026
• Award/Felicitation Ceremony: October 15, 2026

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🎯 Eligibility & Rules

• Eligibilty:
• Open to currently enrolled UG, PG and PhD students from recognised institutions.
• Students who have already graduated are not eligible.
• A faculty mentor from the same institution is compulsory.
• A student can participate in only one team.
• Multiple teams from the same college/institute are allowed.
• Cross-disciplinary teams are permitted.
• Maximum 2 original ideas per team.
• Abstract length: 300–350 words for each idea.
• Once submitted, the participation form cannot be edited.
• Team members cannot be changed after submission.
• Ideas must be original, practical and aligned with the competition themes.

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🏆 Benefits for the Participants

• 1st Prize: ₹2,00,000 for the top team in each of the 5 themes.
• 2nd Prize: ₹1,00,000 each for the next 2 teams in every theme – 10 teams in total.
• Consolation Prize: ₹25,000 each for the next 10 teams.
• Participation certificates will be awarded to shortlisted teams.
• Selected ideas may also get an opportunity for further development with HMEL.