Opportunity brief
The Burning Question is the national case competition of FLAMES '26, where analysis meets action. Teams from B-schools across the country take on a real-world business problem, and the ones who think clearly and back their ideas make it to the final at IMT Ghaziabad. Cash prizes are up for grabs.
Rounds
- Round 1: The Spark (Online Quiz): The first filter, and a tough one. An elimination quiz on Unstop tests how well you know the business world and how calmly you think when the timer is running. 25 questions, 20 minutes. Only shortlisted teams move ahead.
- Round 2: The Slow Burn (Case Study Submission): Shortlisted teams get a real-world business case and five days to work it out. Find what actually matters, ignore what doesn't, and build a solution that would survive outside a slide deck. Judges will look at how sharply you analyse the problem, how practical your recommendations are, and how clearly you communicate them. The shortlisted teams have to submit a 3-slider PPT (excluding the intro slide).
- Round 3: The Final Blaze (Offline Presentation): Finalists come to the IMT Ghaziabad campus and present in person. After that come the judges' questions, and those are where finals are won or lost. Shortlisted teams would be required to prepare a 6-8 slider deck (excluding the intro slide) which needs to be submitted by 24th November 2026.
Guidelines
- Eligibility: Open to all MBA students.
- Team size: 2-3 members
- Inter-college teams: Not alllowed
- Inter-specialization teams: Allowed
- Mode: Hybrid. Rounds 1 and 2 are online and the final is offline at IMT Ghaziabad.
- Registration: 30 October to 9 November 2026 on Unstop.
- Communication: All updates and results will be shared on Unstop and by email.
Rules
- Registered teams cannot change members once Round 1 begins.
- All submissions must be original. Plagiarism or copied solutions will lead to disqualification.
- Submissions must follow the format and deadline given for each round. Late entries will not be considered.
- Finalists must be present at the IMT Ghaziabad campus on 26th November 2026 for the final presentation.
- The decision of the judges and the organising committee will be final.