Young India Culinary Championship
Central Board of Secondary Education
📌 About the Program
The Young India Culinary Championship (YICC) 2026–27 is a national-level culinary competition organized by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE). Aligned with the vision of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Skill India Mission, YICC aims to equip students with practical culinary skills, nutritional literacy, food safety awareness, and teamwork, while introducing them to career opportunities in the hospitality and tourism sectors.
🗓️ Program Details & Schedule
- Organizing Body: Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
- Target Audience: Classes 6 to 12 students from CBSE-affiliated schools only
- Participation Fee: Free / NIL (No fee at any level)
- School Registration Deadline: August 1, 2026
- School-Level Competition Window: Must be organized on or before August 15, 2026
- YICC Orientation Webinar: July 29, 2026 (11:00 AM – 12:30 PM IST)
- Regional Round Window: September – October 2026 (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai)
- National Finale: November – December 2026 (Proposed venue: Chandigarh)
🎯 Competition Categories & Rules
| Category | Eligible Classes | Format / Nature of Competition | Time Limit | Requirements & Restrictions |
| Category I | Classes VI – VIII | Non-Fire Cooking (Salad, Sandwich, or Canapé) | 60 Minutes | No fire/heating permitted. Permitted items: bread, vegetables, fruits, dairy, savory mixes. |
| Category II | Classes IX – XII | Fire Cooking (Vegetarian Main Course) | 90 Minutes | Purely vegetarian (Indian, Asian, or Modern Western cuisines). Non-veg is strictly prohibited. |
🏆 Competition Structure & Progression
- School Level (Individual):
- Schools host their own internal competition following CBSE SOPs.
- Students participate individually.
- Schools must keep photos/videos as media proof for advancing entries.
- Regional Level (Two-Member Teams):
- The Top 2 winners from each category advance to form a 2-member team representing their school.
- Conducted across professional kitchen setups in designated regional centers (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai).
- National Level Finale:
- Top winning regional teams compete for national honors in Chandigarh evaluated by industry experts and renowned professional chefs.