CAG-ICSSR Research Competition 2026 Announced with ₹1 Crore Prize Pool for Students

New Delhi: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), has announced a nationwide Research Article Competition 2026 aimed at encouraging academic research among students. With a total prize pool of nearly ₹1 crore, the initiative seeks to promote high-quality research on public finance, governance and accountability.

The competition is open to students enrolled in undergraduate (UG), postgraduate (PG) and doctoral programmes at recognised educational institutions across the country. Organisers said the initiative is designed to strengthen analytical and research capabilities while encouraging young scholars to explore issues related to fiscal governance and public policy.

According to the organisers, the programme will also improve students’ understanding of government audits, financial accountability, data interpretation and evidence-based policymaking. It aims to create greater awareness of public finance among the academic community while building research skills in the social sciences.

Participants can choose topics from several priority areas, including Fiscal Federalism and Governance, Social Sector Spending, Skilling and Employment, Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and Empowering Urban and Rural Local Bodies.

Research papers must be submitted in PDF format. The prescribed word limit is 4,000–5,000 words for UG and PG students, while doctoral scholars are required to submit papers between 5,000 and 6,000 words.

The organisers have specified that every research article should include key academic components such as an introduction, conceptual framework, statement of the problem, objectives, research methodology, data analysis, findings, discussion, conclusions and policy recommendations.

The submission deadline has been fixed as August 31, 2026, for the state-level competition, while entries qualifying for the national stage must be submitted by September 30, 2026.

The selection process will involve multiple rounds of evaluation. All entries will undergo a blind review by expert committees constituted by ICSSR to ensure impartial assessment. Based on the evaluation, the top-performing research papers will be shortlisted and awarded at both state and national levels.

At the state level, winners will receive ₹75,000 for first place, ₹50,000 for second place and ₹25,000 for third place. At the national level, the first prize carries ₹1.25 lakh, followed by ₹1 lakh for the runner-up and ₹75,000 for the third position.

The initiative is expected to provide young researchers with an opportunity to contribute meaningful policy ideas while showcasing their academic work on a national platform.