PATNA (India CSR): Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP) is all set to host the Grand National Launch of the 5th Edition of the National Inter-College Crossword Expedition (NICE 2026) on July 16, 2026, at its campus in Patna, Bihar. The prestigious event will bring together eminent academicians, policymakers, industry leaders, and students from across the country to celebrate one of India’s most innovative educational initiatives.
The programme will be inaugurated by the Hon’ble Governor of Bihar, who will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. The formal proceedings will commence at 11:30 AM with the arrival of the Hon’ble Governor, followed by the National Anthem and the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.
Key Highlights of the Event
The fifth edition of NICE 2026 marks another significant milestone in promoting intellectual engagement, language proficiency, and critical thinking among college students through the medium of crossword puzzles.
Distinguished Dignitaries
The event will be attended by several eminent dignitaries, including:
- Vivek Kumar Singh, Chairman, RERA Bihar
- Kundan Kumar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Industries, Government of Bihar
- Rajeev Ranjan Sinha, Zonal Head, Central Bank of India
- Deepak Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Hon’ble Governor
- Launch of NICE 2026 Souvenir and Official T-Shirt
The occasion will also witness the unveiling of the official NICE 2026 Souvenir and the NICE 2026 Official T-Shirt, commemorating the fifth edition of this flagship national initiative.
About NICE
The National Inter-College Crossword Expedition (NICE) is India’s premier national-level intellectual competition designed to promote vocabulary, language skills, logical reasoning, critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities among college students through crossword puzzles.
Launched in 2022 as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, NICE is organised by Extra-C in collaboration with its institutional partners. Over the years, it has evolved into a unique academic movement encouraging experiential learning, knowledge enhancement, and intellectual engagement among youth across the country.
Following the launch ceremony, the Patna City Round of NICE 2026 will be conducted at CIMP. The competition is open to students from all universities and colleges, with registrations commencing at 11:00 a.m. Institutions may field any number of teams, each comprising two students, while individual participation is also permitted.
The top-performing teams from the City Round will earn the opportunity to compete in the National Grand Finale in New Delhi, where they will battle for the coveted national honours. Every participant will receive a Certificate of Participation in recognition of their involvement.
Media Invitation
Representatives from print, electronic, digital, and online media are cordially invited to cover this landmark national event.
Event Details
Date: July 16, 2026 (Thursday)
Time: 11:30 AM onwards
Venue: Chandragupt Institute of Management Patna (CIMP), Patna, Bihar
(India CSR)
