CaseQuest

CaseQuest is a business strategy and case-study competition, in Strategia'27 that brings together sharp analytical thinking, decision-making under pressure, and live presentation skills, testing participants across a series of progressively challenging rounds.

The competition begins with a two-part online qualifier, followed by a live branching case-study round, and concludes with a Grand Finale where the top teams present a brand-new case before a judging panel.

Participants will be evaluated on:

• Depth of analysis
• Clarity and structure of explanation
• Quality of decision-making
• Awareness of Trade-Offs and Risks
• Ability to adapt strategy
• Consistency of decisions

Guidelines:

• Open to all registered UG/PG students.
• Every round is played in teams of exactly 2 members - individual participation is not allowed at any stage.
• Both members register together, and the same two-member team continues across all rounds; changes are allowed only in exceptional cases, at the Organizing Committee's discretion.
• Carry a valid institutional ID card at all times - it may be checked at any stage.
• Use of AI tools (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Copilot, etc.), internet search, or unauthorized notes/textbooks is strictly banned unless a round specifically allows it.
• Teams may only communicate with their own teammate - contact with other teams or outside help is not permitted.
• Only the materials explicitly permitted for a round may be used; all other devices and references are prohibited.
• Only responses submitted in the official format/portal are evaluated - loose sheets or unofficial submissions are not considered.
• Once submitted, responses are final and cannot be edited or resubmitted.
• Violations such as AI use, plagiarism, impersonation, or unauthorized assistance lead to immediate disqualification.
• Decisions of the Judges and Organizing Committee on evaluation, rules, and disputes are final and binding - no re-evaluation requests are entertained after results are declared.
• The Organizing Committee may revise rules, format, or schedule if required, and will inform all participants in advance.

Stages & Timelines:

Stage 1: Online Qualifier (Dec'26)

• Date: TBA
• Time: TBA
• Duration: TBA
• Platform: Unstop
• Guidelines: A two-part quiz that narrows the full field of registered teams down to the 50 teams who advance to Stage 2.
• Part A - General Round (Current Affairs & Business Awareness):
• Open to all registered teams. Questions cover general current affairs together with foundational business and economic awareness.
• All registered teams compete in Part A.
• Each part includes a mix of regular questions and Star Questions - Star Questions carry bonus/higher marks than regular questions.
• Scored on total marks earned (regular + Star Questions); the top teams (by cumulative score) advance to Part B.
• Ties are broken by time taken to complete the round - the faster team is ranked higher.
• Part B - Advanced Business Round:
• A more in-depth quiz restricted to the top teams who cleared Part A, testing deeper business, finance, and industry knowledge.
• Open only to the teams that qualify from Part A.
• As in Part A, a mix of regular questions and higher-value Star Questions is used; Star Questions carry bonus marks.
• Scored on total marks earned (regular + Star Questions); the top 50 teams (by cumulative score) advance to Stage 2.
• Ties are broken by time taken to complete the round - the faster team is ranked higher.

Stage 2: The Case Study Round (15 Feb'27):

• The centrepiece of the event. Teams work through a live, branching business case and are evaluated on the judgment behind every decision - not just the decisions themselves.
• The Stage 2 case is released to the qualifying teams only once Stage 1 (Parts A and B) has concluded and the qualifying teams are confirmed.
• Format:
• Each case presents a company facing a real-world business challenge.
• Each case consists of four sequential decision points. At every stage, participants choose one of the available strategic options.
• The case follows a branching format - the option selected at each decision point determines the scenario and question presented next. Different teams may therefore encounter different paths through the same case.
• At each decision point, teams must select one option, and justify the decision using logical reasoning, relevant business concepts, and practical considerations.
• Once a decision is made at any stage, it is final and cannot be changed. Teams must continue the case based on the consequences of their previous choice.
• Reasonable assumptions are permitted where necessary - they must be clearly stated and must align with the information given in the case.
• Answers should be concise, focused, and directly relevant to the case facts; unrelated theory without practical application may not receive marks.
• There is no single correct path or perfect answer - each option carries its own advantages and limitations.
• Strong, well-supported reasoning is rewarded regardless of the path chosen; selecting an option without adequate justification receives limited marks even if the decision itself was appropriate.
• At the conclusion of the case, each team presents and justifies its complete sequence of decisions to the judges - explaining the rationale behind their strategy and how their choices addressed the evolving business challenge.
• Top teams (by cumulative score) advance to Stage 3, the Grand Finale.
• The decision of the evaluators is final and binding.

Stage 3: Grand Finale (16 Feb'27) :

• Held on Day 2 of the event - the final 25 teams receive a brand-new case study and present their analysis live before the judging panel.
• A new case study, not seen in Stage 2, is introduced exclusively for the Grand Finale.
• Finalist teams work through the new case and prepare their strategic recommendation and supporting reasoning.
• Each team then presents and defends its analysis and decisions live before the judges.
• Judges may question teams on their assumptions, trade-offs, and the consistency of their overall strategy.
• Case format, preparation time, presentation time per team, and the final marking scheme: to be finalized by the Organizing Committee.

Think Strategically. Decide Boldly. Win the Case.