Opportunity brief
Overview
- Have an idea that can solve a real-world problem? It's time to go OFF SCRIPT!
- OFF SCRIPT 2026 is a pan-India student innovation challenge organised by CSJMU Innovation Foundation to encourage creativity, entrepreneurial thinking, problem-solving, and practical innovation.
- The event provides students with an opportunity to transform their ideas into practical solutions, develop prototypes, and present their innovations before a jury.
- Participants can choose between two themes: solving an organiser-provided problem statement or exploring an open innovation challenge based on a problem of their own choice.
- Whether your idea focuses on technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, sustainability, business, or social impact, OFF SCRIPT welcomes innovative thinking from every domain.
Themes of the Challenge
Theme 1: Problem Statement (PS) Challenge
Participants will work on a problem statement released by the organisers and propose an innovative, feasible, and impactful solution.
- Problem Statement Release: 15 October 2026
- Participants should study the released problem statement and develop a solution addressing the specified challenge.
- The solution should demonstrate originality, practical feasibility, and potential impact.
Theme 2: Open Innovation Challenge
Participants can identify a real-world problem of their choice and propose an original solution. There is no restriction to a particular domain. Ideas related to technology, agriculture, healthcare, education, sustainability, environment, business, accessibility, and social innovation are welcome. Participants should clearly explain the problem, their proposed solution, its uniqueness, feasibility, and expected impact.
Important: Participants must indicate which theme they are participating in, wherever the registration form provides that option.
Event Structure
OFF SCRIPT 2026 consists of two rounds.
Round 1: Online Idea/PPT Submission
- Registration Opens: 15 October 2026
- Problem Statement Release: 15 October 2026
- PPT Submission Deadline: 25 October 2026
- Shortlisting Results: 26 October 2026
Participants must register and submit a PowerPoint presentation explaining their proposed solution under their selected theme.
The PPT should ideally cover:
- Problem Statement
- Proposed Solution
- Innovation and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
- Target Users or Beneficiaries
- How the Solution Works
- Feasibility and Implementation Plan
- Expected Impact or Market Potential
- Future Scope
The jury will evaluate the submissions based on innovation, originality, problem-solution fit, feasibility, and potential impact.
Selected teams will be shortlisted for the offline grand finale at CSJMU, Kanpur. The shortlisted teams will be announced on 26 October 2026.
PPT Submission Template: To be shared by the organisers.
Round 2: Offline Grand Finale
- Date: 31 October 2026
- Venue: Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University (CSJMU), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
Shortlisted teams will present their ideas and prototypes before the jury at the CSJMU campus. Teams are expected to prepare their prototypes or minimum viable products (MVPs) between 26 October and 31 October 2026. Participants should be ready to demonstrate how their solutions work, explain their technical or practical approach, and answer questions from the jury.
Tentative Schedule — 31 October 2026
- 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM: Participant reporting, inauguration, welcome address, and opening activities
- 12:00 PM onwards: Pitching sessions and prototype presentations
- By 5:00 PM: Final results announcement and recognition of winners
The detailed schedule and reporting instructions will be communicated to shortlisted teams by the organisers.
Eligibility and Team Formation
- Open to students from colleges and universities across India.
- Each team must consist of 2–4 members.
- Inter-college teams are allowed.
- Inter-specialisation teams are allowed.
- Students from different academic backgrounds are encouraged to collaborate.
- Teams must provide accurate registration details.
- Only teams shortlisted from Round 1 will qualify for the offline finale.
Judging Criteria
Teams will be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Innovation and Originality — 20%
- Problem-Solution Fit — 15%
- Prototype/MVP Quality — 20%
- Feasibility and Scalability — 15%
- Impact and Market Potential — 10%
- Pitch and Communication — 10%
- Virtual Investment Score — 10%
Total: 100%
The jury will assess the relevance of the solution, its uniqueness, practical implementation, prototype quality, and the team's ability to communicate its value.
Shark Tank-Inspired Virtual Investment
- OFF SCRIPT will feature a Shark Tank-inspired pitching experience.
- Each judge will receive 100 virtual investment points to allocate among teams based on their ideas, prototypes, presentations, and responses during the pitching session.
- These points will contribute to the competition's evaluation process. They do not represent actual monetary investment or a commitment to provide funding.
Prizes and Recognition
- Total Prize Pool: ₹50,000
- Winner: ₹25,000
- Runner-up: ₹15,000
- Second Runner-up: ₹10,000
Winners will be selected based on the final evaluation by the jury.
Rules and Guidelines
- All participants must register through the official event listing on Unstop.
- Teams must submit their PPT before the deadline of 25 October 2026.
- Participants must select and follow one of the two challenge themes.
- The official problem statement for the PS Challenge will be released on 15 October 2026.
- Teams must submit original work. Plagiarism, misrepresentation, or unauthorised use of another person's work may lead to disqualification.
- Only shortlisted teams will be eligible to participate in Round 2.
- Shortlisted teams should prepare their prototypes between 26 October and 31 October 2026.
- Shortlisted participants must report to the CSJMU campus at 10:00 AM on 31 October 2026.
- Teams must follow the instructions and timelines communicated by the organisers.
- The jury's decisions regarding evaluation and final rankings will be final.
- Any additional instructions or schedule changes will be communicated through official event channels.
Registration and Participation Fee
- Participation in both rounds is completely FREE.
- There is no registration fee, shortlisting fee, or separate participation/confirmation fee for the offline finale.
Important Links and Resources
The following resources will be updated by the organisers as they become available:
- Official Problem Statement: To be added on 15 October 2026
- PPT Submission Template: To be added
- Participant WhatsApp Group: To be added
- Additional Guidelines and Updates: To be shared through official event channels
Participants are encouraged to check the official Unstop event page regularly for announcements, instructions, and updates.
Why Participate in OFF SCRIPT?
- Showcase your ideas on a pan-India platform.
- Choose between a defined problem statement and open innovation.
- Develop and demonstrate a prototype.
- Present your solution before a jury.
- Experience a Shark Tank-inspired pitching format.
- Collaborate with students from different institutions and specialisations.
- Compete for a prize pool of ₹50,000.
- Contribute to a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Think beyond the ordinary. Build your idea. Pitch your vision. Go OFF SCRIPT!