Envision'26

Envision is the flagship article writing and research competition for the 2026 edition of DeFacto, the annual magazine of the Department of Commerce, Hansraj College. More than a writing competition, it is a space to question ideas, explore contemporary business issues, and shape perspectives into meaningful arguments.

The competition unfolds across TWO rounds; an original article submission, followed by an on-the-spot research and argumentation round that challenges participants to think critically, research efficiently, and articulate evidence-backed arguments under time constraints.

Write with purpose. Research with curiosity. Debate with conviction.

Eligibility:

- Students from all colleges and courses are invited to participate.

Competition Structure:

Round 1: Article Submission:

Choose any ONE of the following themes:

1. UPI and Merchant Fees: Can Free Digital Payments Last Forever?:

Explore the economics behind India's rapidly expanding UPI network, the costs involved in sustaining digital payments, and the challenges of the existing model.

Examine whether merchant fees, government support, or alternative revenue models can make UPI sustainable without significantly affecting consumers and small businesses.

2. The Business of FOMO: Who Profits From Our Fear of Missing Out?:

Explore how brands, social media platforms, and influencers use urgency, exclusivity, scarcity, and trends to turn attention into consumer demand.

How does FOMO influence purchasing behaviour? And where does the line lie between effective marketing and consumer manipulation?

3. Sustainable Business: Can Profit and Purpose Coexist?:

Examine whether businesses can pursue environmental and social responsibility while remaining profitable and competitive. Explore how sustainability, ethical practices, and innovation are reshaping business models.

Can purpose create genuine long-term commercial value, or does the pursuit of sustainability involve difficult trade-offs between impact and profitability?

Round 2: Research & Deliberation Round:

The second round puts your research skills and ability to think on your feet and present your ideas verbally to the test.

Participants will be given a fresh, unconventional research topic during the round, related or unrelated to their Round 1 article. They will have a limited amount of time to independently research the topic using available resources, identify relevant information, and develop their arguments. This will be followed by a deliberation round, where participants will be expected to present their perspective, respond to counterarguments, and substantiate their claims.

Participants Will Be Evaluated On:

• Research & Source Selection: Ability to identify relevant and credible information.
• Quality of Arguments: Clarity, depth, logic, and relevance of arguments.
• Use of Evidence: Ability to support claims with facts, data, and reliable sources.
• Critical Thinking: Ability to analyse different perspectives and identify nuances.
• Response to Counterarguments: Ability to engage with and respond to opposing viewpoints.
• Communication: Clarity, confidence, structure, and effectiveness of presentation.
• Originality of Thought: Ability to develop independent insights rather than simply reproduce researched information.

Vague, unsupported, or purely opinion-based arguments will not be considered.

Note:

This round will be held online via Google Meet or Zoom.

Prizes & Recognition:

• The winning article will be published in DeFacto, the Annual Magazine of the Department of Commerce, Hansraj College.
• The winner will receive a cash prize of ₹1,000.
• The First runner up will receive Canva subscription for 1 year worth INR 4000/-.
• The top three runners-up will be awarded a certificate of recognition, and their articles will be featured on the blog.

Rules & Submission Guidelines for Round 1:

• Submission Deadline: 2nd October 2026
• Word Limit: 800-1,000 words
• File Format: PDF
• Font: Times New Roman
• Font Size: 12
• File Name: AuthorName_College.pdf
• A short author bio must be included at the end of the article, mentioning the participant's college and course.
• Articles must be original, plagiarism-free, and independently written.
• Proper citations and references are mandatory for all data, facts, references, and images used.
• Participants must ensure that their submissions comply with all competition guidelines.

Submission Process:

All articles must be submitted through the Unstop platform.

Participants are requested to carefully review their submissions and ensure compliance with all formatting, originality, citation, and submission requirements before submitting.