Creative Writing & Essay Competitions for Kids in India
Writing competitions sharpen a child's voice and argument: essay, story, poetry and storytelling contests, from school level to national and international. WiWit lists 264 verified creative writing & essay competitions in India from 150 organizations. They include options spanning Grade 1 to 12, 144 available online, 89 free to enter.
Writing is the skill that quietly underpins every subject, and competitions give children a real audience and deadline to write for. The listings here include essay competitions, short-story and creative-writing contests, poetry challenges and storytelling events, for students across all grades. Themes range from social issues and the environment to imaginative fiction, and formats run from single submissions to multi-round national and international competitions. WiWit verifies each listing against its official source and shows the theme, word limits where stated, mode and fee, so you can find a writing competition that matches your child's grade and interests, and gives their writing the recognition it deserves.
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Creative Writing & Essay Competitions for Kids in India at a glance
Swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Opportunity | Organizer | Eligibility | Mode | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TED-Ed Student Talks Program | TED-Ed (TED) | Ages 6 to 18 | Hybrid | Free |
| International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC) | Aerospace Education Competitions (AEC) | Grade 9 to 12 | Hybrid | ₹18,000 per team |
| Wingword Poetry Prize Junior Category | Delhi Poetry Slam | Ages 7 to 14 | Online | ₹1,099 for one poem, ₹2,099 for three poems, ₹3,099 for five poems |
| Wingword Poetry Prize | Delhi Poetry Slam | Ages 15 and above | Online | ₹1,099 to ₹5,099, by number of poems (one, three, five or ten) |
| The World Scholar's Cup - Tournament of Champions at Yale University | World Scholar's Cup Foundation | Ages 11 and above | In-Person | $1,367 early, $1,467 regular, $1,567 last-minute |
| FLAME University Summer Immersion Program (FUSIP) | FLAME University | Grade 9 to 11 | In-Person | Paid |
| Chinmaya Geeta Chanting Competition (CGCC) | Chinmaya Mission | Nursery, LKG, UKG & Grade 1 to 12 | In-Person | Paid |
| WriteToWin: Monsoon Environmental Article Writing Competition | The Better Human Life Foundation | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Interactive and Multimedia | Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc. | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Creative Writing | Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc. | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Poetry and Spoken Word | Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc. | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Handcrafted Art | Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc. | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Film | Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc. | Grade 6 to 12 | Online | Free |
| ITO National Essay Olympiad (NESO) Offline | Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO) | Grade 1 to 10 | In-Person | ₹175 for round 1, ₹100 for round 2 if selected |
| Veer Gatha Project Competition | Ministry of Defence, Government of India | Grade 3 to 12 | Hybrid | Free |
TED-Ed Student Talks Program
by TED-Ed (TED)
Free TED-Ed program guiding students ages 6 to 18 through developing and delivering a personal TED-style talk.
What your child could gain:
International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC)
by Aerospace Education Competitions (AEC)
A team competition run by Aerospace Education Competitions in which high school students work as an aerospace company's proposal team and design a space settlement. Teams in India enter through the Asian Regional Space Settlement Design Competition (ARSSDC).
What your child could gain:
Wingword Poetry Prize Junior Category
by Delhi Poetry Slam
The junior category of the Wingword Poetry Prize, sponsored by Delhi Poetry Slam, for students aged 7 to 14. Poems in English or Hindi compete for a first prize of ₹25,000.
Wingword Poetry Prize
by Delhi Poetry Slam
An online poetry competition sponsored by Delhi Poetry Slam, for Indian citizens and people of Indian origin aged 15 and above. Poems in English or Hindi compete for a grand prize of ₹50,000 and book publication.
The World Scholar's Cup - Tournament of Champions at Yale University
by World Scholar's Cup Foundation
The Tournament of Champions is the final event of the World Scholar's Cup season, held at Yale University. Teams of students aged 11 and older who qualified at a Global Round compete in debate, writing, a test and a quiz bowl.
What your child could gain:
FLAME University Summer Immersion Program (FUSIP)
by FLAME University
A 10-day residential summer program at FLAME University, Pune, for students in Grades 9 to 11 or entering Grade 12. It introduces high school students to interdisciplinary learning in a liberal education setting.
What your child could gain:
Chinmaya Geeta Chanting Competition (CGCC)
by Chinmaya Mission
A Bhagavad Gita chanting competition held each year by Chinmaya Mission, for children from Nursery to Grade 12. Each child chants a set number of verses from one chapter.
What your child could gain:
WriteToWin: Monsoon Environmental Article Writing Competition
by The Better Human Life Foundation
A free online article writing competition on environment and climate change for students in Grades 6 to 12 in India, run by The Better Human Life Foundation. Its Monsoon season takes articles from 1 July to 30 September.
What your child could gain:
Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Interactive and Multimedia
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Interactive and Multimedia category of the Blue Planet Awareness Contest, a free contest by Bow Seat for students aged 11 to 18 worldwide. Students make websites, apps, games, podcasts and other interactive or multimedia work on an environmental theme that changes every year.
What your child could gain:
Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Creative Writing
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Creative Writing category of the Blue Planet Awareness Contest, a free contest by Bow Seat for students aged 11 to 18 worldwide. Students write fiction or creative nonfiction on an environmental theme that changes every year.
What your child could gain:
Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Poetry and Spoken Word
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Poetry and Spoken Word category of the Blue Planet Awareness Contest, a free contest by Bow Seat for students aged 11 to 18 worldwide. Students write a poem, and may perform it as spoken word, on an environmental theme that changes every year.
What your child could gain:
Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Handcrafted Art
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Visual Art: Handcrafted category of the Blue Planet Awareness Contest, a free contest by Bow Seat for students aged 11 to 18 worldwide. Students make handcrafted art on an environmental theme that changes every year.
What your child could gain:
Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Film
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Film category of the Blue Planet Awareness Contest, a free contest by Bow Seat for students aged 11 to 18 worldwide. Students make a film of 2 to 4 minutes on an environmental theme that changes every year.
What your child could gain:
ITO National Essay Olympiad (NESO) Offline
by Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO)
The ITO National Essay Olympiad is an offline competition for students in Class 1-10 across India, designed to enhance English writing skills and general knowledge. Top performers receive awards and certificates.
What your child could gain:
Veer Gatha Project Competition
by Ministry of Defence, Government of India
Project Veer Gatha is run by the Ministry of Defence with the Ministry of Education for students in Grades 3 to 12. Students make creative projects, such as poems, essays, paintings and short videos, on India's gallantry award winners and warriors. Each of the 100 national winners gets ₹10,000.
Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate Competition
by Council for the Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE)
A prestigious national-level debate competition organized by CISCE for ICSE and ISC students across India, fostering critical thinking, public speaking, and argumentation skills.
What your child could gain:
Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC)
by The Harvard Crimson
A prestigious global writing competition for high-school students (ages 10 to 18), offering cash prizes, internship opportunities, and international recognition.
What your child could gain:
Future Blue Youth Council By Bow Seat
by Bow Seat: Creative Action for Conservation, Inc.
The Future Blue Youth Council is an international group of young ocean advocates collaborating with Bow Seat to drive environmental change through creative action and leadership.
What your child could gain:
IB Diploma Programme
by International Baccalaureate
The IB Diploma Programme is a two-year course run by the International Baccalaureate, for students aged 16 to 19 at schools the IB has authorized to teach it.
What your child could gain:
YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Feature Story
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
International journalism contest category by YJI for human-interest and narrative feature writing by young journalists aged 19 and under. Award certificates for winners.
What your child could gain:
YJI Youth Journalism Contest - In-Depth Reporting
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
International journalism contest category by YJI for long-form analytical journalism by young journalists aged 19 and under. Award certificates for winners.
What your child could gain:
YJI Multimedia Feature Contest
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
International multimedia feature contest by YJI for young journalists aged 19 and under. Video, audio, and mixed-media feature storytelling entries accepted.
What your child could gain:
YJI Multimedia News Contest
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
International multimedia news reporting contest by YJI for young journalists aged 19 and under. Video, audio, and mixed-media news entries accepted individually or as teams.
What your child could gain:
YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Multimedia Sports
by Youth Journalism International (YJI)
International journalism contest category by YJI for multimedia sports coverage by young journalists aged 19 and under. Award certificates for winners.
What your child could gain:
Browse all 264 creative writing & essay competitions
Competitions (217)
- Design Championship - Game Design Competition
- Advanced Placement (AP) Arts Exams
- Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Literature Exams for Indian Students
- Advanced Placement (AP) World Languages and Cultures Exams for Indian Students
- AICEeCC - Audio
- AICEeCC - New Media
- AICEeCC - Video & Animation
- ARTEFFECT International Student Art Competition
- Asiarope English Olympiad
- ASMO (Asian Science & Mathematics Olympiad) India National Round
- ASTP Space Settlement Contest
- Axis Bank Splash - Art Competition
- Axis Bank Splash - Literature Competition
- Bangalore Gayana Samaja Music Competition - Sub-Junior Devaranama Vocal
- Bharat Ko Jano Quiz Competition
- BigPicture Natural World Photography Competition
- BLF YOUNGRANG Student Poetry Writing Contest
- Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Creative Writing
- Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Film
- Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Handcrafted Art
- Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Interactive and Multimedia
- Blue Planet Awareness Contest: Poetry and Spoken Word
- Cambridge Re:think Essay Competition
- CBSE Budding Authors Programme
- CBSE Expression Series
- CBSE Heritage India Quiz
- CBSE Storytelling Competition
- Chinmaya Geeta Chanting Competition (CGCC)
- Civil Services Preparatory Olympiad (CSPO)
- Classmate All Rounder Competition by ITC Junior Category
- CMS VATAVARAN Environment and Wildlife Film Festival - Under 16
- CREST English Olympiad (CEO)
- CREST International Drawing Olympiad (CIDO)
- CREST International Spell Bee (CISB) - Summer Round
- CREST International Spell Bee (CSBW) - Winter Round
- Design Championship - Movie Making Competition
- Dhai Akhar Letter Writing Competition: Inland Letter Card Category (ILC)
- Dhai Akhar National Level Letter Writing Competition: Envelope Category
- Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Talent Troopers Competition
- Eduno English Olympiad (EEO)
- EHF International English Olympiad (IEO) Offline
- Ei ASSET English Exam
- Ei ASSET Hindi Exam
- Ei ASSET Talent Search (Ei ATS) Exam
- Foyle Young Poets of the Year Award
- FPSPI Creative Writing Competition
- FPSPI Storytelling Competition
- Frank Anthony Memorial All-India Inter-School Debate Competition
- Future Blue Youth Council By Bow Seat
- GELOSA - Global English Language Olympiad of Southeast Asia
- GEMA World Storytelling Competition for School Students
- Global English Olympiad (GEO) by UEPL
- Global Open Mic Talent Show by Hashtag Kalakar
- Global Student Speaker Competition by GEMA
- Harvard Crimson Global Essay Competition (HCGEC)
- Hashtag Kalakar Global Poetry & Creative Writing Competition
- Heartfulness Essay Contest
- Hindustan Olympiad
- Hippo English Olympiad
- HOPE Talent Contest - Art & Essay Writing Competition
- Humming Bird English Olympiad (HEO) for Classes 1-12
- Humming Bird Hindi Olympiad (HHO)
- Humming Bird Spelling Competition
- Humming Bird Tamil Olympiad (HTO)
- I CAN School Challenge by Design for Change
- India As I See - National Online Painting Competition
- Indian Academic Championship (INDAC) - Academic Bowl
- Indian Debating League (IDL)
- Indian Nationals Space Settlement Design Competition (INSSDC)
- Indian Talent Olympiad (ITO) General Knowledge International Olympiad (GKIO) - Offline Exam
- IndiaSkills Junior: Visual Merchandising
- INTACH India Heritage Quiz Competition
- International Academic Bee Asian Championship by IAC
- International Academic Bowl Asian Championship by IAC
- International Commerce Olympiad (ICO) by CTF for Class 11 & 12 Students
- International Competency Test (ICT) by CTF for Class 9 & 10 Students
- International English Olympiad (IEO) by SOF
- International English Qualifier (IEQ) by National Olympiad Foundation
- International Foundation English Olympiad (IFEO) by IOF
- International Foundation Hindi Olympiad (IFHO)
- International Foundation Spell Talent Olympiad (IFSTO)
- International French Qualifier (IFQ) by NOF
- International General Knowledge Olympiad (IGKO) by SOF for Indian Students
- International Genius Short film Olympiad by Terra Science and Education
- International GENIUS Speech Olympiad by Terra Science and Education
- International Gita Olympiad by Central Sanskrit University (CSU)
- International Hindi Olympiad (IHO) by SOF
- International Hindi Qualifier (IHQ) by National Olympiad Foundation
- International Philosophy Olympiad (IPO)
- International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) by ESU
- International Space Settlement Design Competition (ISSDC)
- ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Offline Scholarship Olympiad
- ISTSE (Indian School Talent Search Exam) Online Scholarship Olympiad for Indian Students
- ITO English International Olympiad (EIO) - Offline Mode
- ITO English International Olympiad (EIO) Online - National English Language Competition
- ITO General Knowledge International Olympiad Online
- ITO National Essay Olympiad (NESO) Offline
- ITO National Essay Olympiad (NESO) Online
- IWP Creative Writing Contest: Non-Fiction Category
- IWP Jr Creative Writing Contest: Article & Essay Category
- IWP Jr Creative Writing Contest: Fiction Category
- IWP Jr Creative Writing Contest: Personal Expression Category
- IWP Jr Creative Writing Contest: Poetry Category
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) for Class 11 Lateral Entry
- Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) for Class 9 Admission
- Jhankriti Theatre Competition
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Economics
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - History
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - International Relations
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Law
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Philosophy
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Politics
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Psychology
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Public Policy
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Science and Technology
- John Locke Institute Global Essay Prize - Theology
- Kala Utsav - National Theatre Competition
- Kala Utsav - National Traditional Storytelling Competition
- Kalabharati Child Art Institute National Handwriting Competition
- Katha Utsav National Writers' Workshop
- Knowledge Quest Quiz
- Kruu Play Innovation Challenge
- Likhawat - National Essay Writing Competition
- MahaQuizzer by KQA
- MaRRS International Spelling Bee
- MegaWhats by KQA
- Meity - National Cyber Security Cartoon Story Board Competition
- MindSweep - International Solo Quizzing Championship by KQA
- Narmada Bal Ghar (NBG) Essay Writing Competition
- National AI Speech & Debate Championship for Indian Students
- National Cyber Security 'My Success Story' Competition By MeitY
- National Cyber Security Reels/Shorts Competition by MeitY
- National Cyber Security Slogan Writing Competition By MeitY
- National Cyber Security Story Writing Competition by MeitY
- National Cyber Security Technical Papers Competition By MeitY
- National Finance Olympiad (NFO)
- National Innovation and Entrepreneurship Olympiad (NIEO) by E-Cell IIT Madras
- National Sanskrit Olympiad (NSO) by Samskritha Bharathi Educational Trust
- National Young Authors' Fair
- Nature inFocus Photography Contest - Young Photographer Category
- NHRC Annual Short Film Competition on Human Rights
- NSS Gerard K. O'Neill Space Settlement Contest
- One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest - Middle School (Grade 6-8)
- Online Indian Knowledge System Olympiad by CSU
- Power of the Pen: India As I See National Poetry Competition
- Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar (Bal Shakti)
- Prince Olympiad
- Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) Entrance Exam for Class VIII Admission
- Rashtriya Military School (RMS) Common Entrance Test (CET) for Class VI & IX Admissions
- S7 National Poetry Contest
- Saadhana Entrance Exam by Rashtrotthana Trust for Girls' Residential NEET/CET Coaching
- Sacred Freedom Essay competition - India As I See
- SAIL National Story Writing Competition
- Sanskrit Olympiad by CSU
- Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) for Indian Students
- SCIFF MAKE Cinema - School Cinema International Film Festival
- SIFFCY Student Film Competition
- SilverZone International Olympiad of English Language (iOEL)
- Spin Your Science (SYS) - National Science Fiction Writing Competition
- STEMCult by Kr8ivity League
- STTAR National Students Olympiad (NSO)
- Tata Building India School Essay Competition
- Tata Power Club Enerji National Competition - Energy Q Quiz
- The Concord Review History Research Paper Publication
- The Hindu Young World Quiz
- The Queen's Commonwealth Writing Competition
- The World Scholar's Cup - Scholar's Challenge
- The World Scholar's Cup - Team Debate Competition
- The World Scholar's Cup - Tournament of Champions at Yale University
- The World Scholar's Cup (WSC) - Collaborative Writing Competition
- The World Scholar's Cup (WSC) - Scholar's Bowl
- THINQ Quiz by Indian Navy
- TOEFL Exam - English Proficiency for Global Education
- TSL International Student Competition - Sustainability
- Unicus English Olympiad (UEO)
- Unicus General Knowledge Olympiad (UGKO)
- Unicus Global English Olympiad (UGEO)
- Unified Cyber Olympiad (UCO) Offline
- Unified Cyber Olympiad (UCO) Online
- Unified International English Olympiad (UIEO) OFFLINE
- Unified International English Olympiad (UIEO) ONLINE
- Veer Baal Diwas Poetry Competition
- Veer Gatha Project Competition
- Wingword Poetry Prize
- Wingword Poetry Prize Junior Category
- Wipro Earthian - National Sustainability Education Program
- Wiz national Spell Bee by Extraschool
- Word Power Championship India
- WriteToWin: Monsoon Environmental Article Writing Competition
- WriteToWin: Spring Environmental Article Writing Competition
- WriteToWin: Summer Environmental Article Writing Competition
- WriteToWin: Winter Environmental Article Writing Competition
- XPERTSTEM International English Challenge
- YJI Cartoons Contest
- YJI Column Writing Award
- YJI Courage in Journalism Award
- YJI First Amendment Award
- YJI First-Person Essay
- YJI Frank Keegan Award for News
- YJI Illustration Contest
- YJI Jacinta Marie Bunnell Award for Commentary
- YJI Multimedia Feature Contest
- YJI Multimedia News Contest
- YJI Opinion Writing Award
- YJI Photo Essay Contest
- YJI Photography - Feature Photo
- YJI Photography - News Photo
- YJI Photography - Photo Illustration
- YJI Profile Writing Award
- YJI Travel Writing
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Enterprise Reporting
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Feature Story
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - In-Depth Reporting
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Multimedia Profile
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - Multimedia Sports
- YJI Youth Journalism Contest - News Story
- Young Minds Prize
Scholarships (2)
Programs (25)
- Anant Design Summer IsCool
- BBSBAFPA Pre-Armed Forces Preparatory Program
- Bookosmia Get Published
- CSM Armed Forces Preparatory Program
- FILMIT - Heritage Short Film Workshop and Festival for School Students
- FLAME University Summer Immersion Program (FUSIP)
- GenWise GW Wizards - Gifted Summer Program
- Infinity Juniors: Entrepreneurship Bootcamp
- Iowa Young Writers' Studio Summer Residential Program
- ISH Summer Experience Programme
- NLSIU Summer School: FLE Certificate Course
- Pioneer Research Institute (Mentorship Program)
- PM-YUVA Mentoring Scheme for Young Authors
- Reading for Life - Reading Challenge
- Sankalp Open School Remedial Program for Children with Learning Disabilities
- Snehadhara Sangam Inclusive Arts Programme
- Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) Online Program
- TBI Young Journalists Program
- TED-Ed Student Talks Program
- Two-Year Pre-NDA Preparatory Program at MRSAFPI Mohali
- Two-Year Pre-NDA Residential Program at SPI Aurangabad
- Yacht Club of Hyderabad Sailing Programme for Government School Children
- YOCee Student Reporter Programme
- Young Authorship Program by Jyotsna Bharti
- Youth for Understanding (YFU) Intercultural Exchange Programs for Indian Students
Courses (12)
- Basic Course in Digital Filmmaking for Children
- Cambridge International AS & A Level
- Certified Course for Young Tale Makers in Training
- IB Diploma Programme
- Iowa Young Writers' Studio - 6-Week Online Creative Writing Course
- Junior Animator Programmer - Online
- Kala Bharathi Diploma Course in Dance - Kathak
- KMMC Online Certificate in Violin
- KMMC Online Certificate in Composition - Piano
- KMMC Online Certificate in Hindustani Voice
- KMMC Online Certificate in Western Voice
- Plaksha Academic Research Writing Course (ARWC)
Workshops (2)
Camps (5)
Every creative writing & essay competition listing on WiWit is checked against the organizer's official source before it is published. See how WiWit verifies listings.
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Frequently asked questions
How many creative writing & essay competitions are listed on WiWit?
WiWit currently lists 264 verified creative writing & essay competitions in India from 150 organizations. Each one is checked against the organizer's official source before it appears, and the list is kept up to date.
Which grades can take part in creative writing & essay competitions?
The creative writing & essay competitions listed here span students from Grade 1 to Grade 12. The comparison table shows the eligible grades for each listing, so you can scan for your child's grade.
Can my child take part in creative writing & essay competitions online?
Creative writing & essay competitions are available in multiple modes: 144 run online, 76 are in person, 44 offer both. The mode is shown on every listing, so children anywhere in India can find suitable options.
Are there free creative writing & essay competitions?
Yes, 89 of the 264 creative writing & essay competitions listed are free to enter. The fee for every listing is shown on its card, so you can compare cost at a glance.
What kinds of writing competitions are there?
The listings span essay competitions on set themes, free creative-writing and short-story contests, poetry challenges and storytelling events. Each listing shows the format and theme so you can pick what suits your child's strengths.
Are writing competitions open to younger children?
Yes. Many have separate categories for primary, middle and senior school so children write against their own age group. Use the comparison table to find contests open to your child's grade.
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