Opportunity brief
Overview
Step into the dynamic world of financial markets with ARTHCHAKRA, a flagship competition at XAVIESTA, presented by FINNOVATION – The Finance Club of Xavier Business School. Designed to test financial acumen, analytical thinking and strategic decision-making, the competition takes participants through three exciting stages: managing a virtual equity portfolio, crafting investment strategies tailored to real-world client objectives, and navigating unexpected market disruptions. With each round bringing a new challenge, participants must analyse, strategise, adapt and defend their investment decisions. Gather your team of four and embark on a journey where market knowledge meets strategic brilliance!
Round 1 – Mock Stock Market
Virtual Capital. Real Decisions.
The first round is an online stock market simulation where teams receive virtual capital of ₹1,00,000 to build and manage an equity portfolio comprising NSE-listed stocks.
Teams will be evaluated based on the final market value of their portfolios at the end of the designated trading period. The Top 15 performing teams will qualify for Round 2.
Round Details:
- Team Size: 4 Members
- Virtual Capital: ₹1,00,000 per team
- Platform: National Stock Exchange (NSE)
- Investment: NSE-listed equity stocks only
- Maximum Stocks: 20 different stocks
- Format: Online
- Qualification: Top 15 Teams
Round 2 – The Client Mandate
Analyse. Allocate. Advise.
Teams will receive a Client Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and a Market Assumptions Sheet. Based on the client's objectives and constraints, participants must construct a suitable investment portfolio while considering risk, return, liquidity and diversification.
Teams must submit their portfolio allocation along with a written rationale explaining their investment decisions. The Top 10 teams will advance to the final round.
Round Details:
- Team Size: 4 Members
- Format: Offline, Proctored
- Challenge: Client-Based Portfolio Construction
- Submission: Excel Portfolio, Written Rationale (250–350 words) and AI Usage Log
- Qualification: Top 10 Teams
Round 3 – The Curveball
Adapt. Rebalance. Defend.
The final round introduces a sudden market shock along with a private client-specific twist. Teams must reassess their existing portfolios, evaluate the impact of changing market conditions and decide whether to retain or rebalance their investments.
The round concludes with a live presentation and defence before a panel of judges, where teams must justify their investment strategies and decisions.
Round Details:
- Team Size: 4 Members
- Format: Live Defence (Presentation & Q&A)
- Challenge: Market Shock and Client-Specific Twist
- Submission: Updated Excel Portfolio, Written Rationale (250–350 words) and AI Usage Log
- Evaluation: Strategic Decisions, Risk Assessment, Portfolio Rebalancing and Client Alignment
Competition Details
- Institution: Xavier Business School, St. Xavier's University, Kolkata
- Team Size: 4 Members per Team
Competition Structure:
- Round 1: Top 15 Teams
- Round 2: Top 10 Teams
- Round 3: Final Round – Winner Selection
General Rules & Regulations
- Each team must consist of exactly 4 members. Cross-college teams are not permitted.
- The competition is open to college students. Participants must carry their valid College ID cards during offline rounds.
- No substitutions or changes in team composition will be permitted once registration is completed.
- The competition will consist of three rounds, with eliminations after Rounds 1 and 2.
- The top 15 teams from Round 1 will qualify for Round 2, and the top 10 teams from Round 2 will advance to the final round.
- Participants must maintain discipline and decorum throughout the competition.
- No communication, file-sharing or collaboration between competing teams is permitted during any round. Violations may lead to disqualification.
- The decisions of the judges and organising committee will be final and binding.
- The organising committee reserves the right to modify the rules, schedule or competition format if required.
Round-Wise Rules & Regulations
Round 1 – Mock Stock Market
- Each team will receive virtual capital of ₹1,00,000 to build an equity portfolio.
- Investments are restricted to equity stocks listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) only.
- A maximum of 20 different stocks may be included in a portfolio.
- The total portfolio value must not exceed ₹1,00,000, calculated using the prescribed reference closing prices.
- Only NSE ticker symbols must be entered in the ticker column of the prescribed submission sheet.
- Portfolios must be submitted using the prescribed Excel template through the official submission channel within the stipulated deadline.
- AI tools, external advisory and collaboration with other teams are not permitted. All investment decisions must be made independently by the participating team.
- A live leaderboard will be made available to track portfolio performance.
- Teams will be ranked based on the final market value of their portfolios. The top 15 teams will qualify for Round 2.
- Teams failing to qualify will be eliminated from the competition.
Round 2 – The Client Mandate
- Each team will receive a Client Investment Policy Statement (IPS) and a Market Assumptions Sheet.
- Portfolio construction must be based exclusively on the information provided in the official client brief. External market data and internet searches are strictly prohibited.
- Teams must comply with all client-specific requirements and restrictions, including return, risk, liquidity and minimum investment conditions.
- The final portfolio allocation must total 100%.
- Teams may use the provided correlation matrix and automated portfolio standard-deviation calculator for portfolio risk calculations.
- Participants must bring their laptops and calculators (preferably scientific calculators). Mobile phones are strictly prohibited.
- Only one laptop per team is permitted.
- Each team must submit one Excel file containing:
- Portfolio allocation table
- Portfolio summary
- Written rationale of 250–350 words
- AI Usage Log
- The rationale must clearly explain and justify the portfolio allocation decisions with reference to the client's requirements.
- Teams must not communicate, share files, screens or work with other teams during the round.
- Once submitted through the official channel, entries will be considered final. No resubmissions will be accepted.
- The top 10 teams will qualify for the final round.
Round 3 – The Curveball
- Finalists must continue working with their respective client portfolios from Round 2.
- All teams will face the same market shock to ensure a common basis for comparison.
- Each team will additionally receive a private client-specific twist linked to its assigned client.
- Teams must follow the revised market assumptions and client-specific information provided during the round.
- Participants must recalculate their portfolio's current value and assess the impact of changing market conditions on risk and expected returns.
- Teams may retain their existing allocation or rebalance their portfolios, provided their decisions comply with the original client IPS unless the private twist explicitly overrides a constraint.
- Participants must bring their laptops and scientific calculators. Mobile phones are strictly prohibited.
- Only one laptop per team is permitted.
- Each team must submit one updated Excel file containing:
- Updated portfolio allocation table
- Portfolio summary
- Written rationale of 250–350 words
- AI Usage Log
- Teams must present and justify their strategies before the panel of judges during the live defence and Q&A.
- Participants must not communicate, share files, screens or collaborate with other teams during the round.
- Once submitted through the official channel, entries will be considered final. No resubmissions will be accepted.