The Hindu is set to organize the School Science Festival and Maths Olympiad 2026 (Ramanujam Spark Quest) on September 18th and 19th in Belagavi and Hubballi to foster STEM talent among students.

  • Events scheduled for Sept 18 (Belagavi) and Sept 19 (Hubballi).
  • Open to students of classes 8 to 10 via school registration.
  • Science Fest focuses on 'Make in India' cost-effective working models.
  • Maths Olympiad features a rigorous 50-question OMR-based test.

In a bid to nurture the next generation of innovators and mathematicians, The Hindu has announced the School Science Festival and Maths Olympiad 2026, also known as the Ramanujam Spark Quest. The events will take place in the educational hubs of Belagavi on September 18 and Hubballi on September 19.

The Belagavi leg will be hosted at the KPTCL Samudaya Bhavana, Shivabasava Nagar, while the Hubballi event will be held at Hebasur Bhavan, Gokul Road. These competitions are designed to move beyond rote learning, encouraging students to apply scientific concepts to real-world challenges.

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Science Fest: Guidelines and Expectations

The Science Fest is a team-based competition requiring two students per team from classes 8 to 10. Schools can register up to ten teams, split equally between the Junior (Class 8) and Senior (Classes 9-10) categories. A critical requirement for the participants is the demonstration of innovative, cost-effective working models that align with the 'Make in India' initiative.

Maths Olympiad: The Ramanujam Spark Quest

The Maths Olympiad is a high-stakes academic challenge where schools nominate five students from classes 8 to 10. The test consists of 50 multiple-choice questions to be completed within one hour. The syllabus is integrated, covering 30 questions on Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) and 20 questions on Mathematics and Mental Ability.

Feature Science Fest Maths Olympiad
Participation Teams of 2 Students Individual Nominations
Core Requirement Working Model / Prototype OMR-based Examination
Scoring Innovation & Utility +4 for Correct, -1 for Wrong

Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that integrating nationalistic goals like 'Make in India' into school-level science fairs bridges the gap between academic theory and industrial application. By rewarding cost-effectiveness and innovation, The Hindu is encouraging students to think as entrepreneurs and engineers from a young age.

"Competitive academic festivals serve as a catalyst for critical thinking, transforming students from passive learners into active discoverers."

The competition offers significant incentives, including cash prizes, trophies, and merit certificates for the top three winners in both categories. All participants will receive participation certificates. The event is proudly title-sponsored by Excellent Moodubidire.

Did You Know?: The 'Ramanujam Spark Quest' is named after Srinivasa Ramanujan, the legendary Indian mathematician who made extraordinary contributions to mathematical analysis and number theory despite having no formal training.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is spot registration available at the venue?
No, participation is strictly through prior registration via schools. No spot registrations will be entertained.

2. How is the tie-break handled in the Maths Olympiad?
In the event of a tie in total scores, the marks obtained specifically in the mathematics/mental ability section will be used to determine the winner.