Campus Times | Lucknow

The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR), has launched the National Research Article Competition 2026, offering students an opportunity to showcase their research skills and compete for cash prizes of up to Rs 1.25 lakh.

The competition is open to students pursuing Undergraduate (UG), Postgraduate (PG) and PhD programmes at recognised colleges and universities across the country. The initiative aims to encourage evidence based research on key public policy, governance and socio-economic development issues.

Eligibility

Students enrolled in the following programmes are eligible to participate:

• Undergraduate (UG)

• Postgraduate (PG)

• PhD

Applicants must be studying at a recognised college or university in India.

Research Themes

Participants can submit research articles on any of the following topics:

• Fiscal Federalism and Governance

• Government Expenditure in the Social Sector

• Skill Development, Employment and MSMEs

• Urban and Rural Local Bodies

Research Paper Guidelines

The prescribed word limit for research papers is:

• UG/PG Students: 4,000–5,000 words

• PhD Scholars: 5,000–6,000 words

All submissions must be uploaded in PDF format through the official application portal.

Prize Money

State-Level Awards

• First Prize: Rs 75,000

• Second Prize: Rs 50,000

• Third Prize: Rs 25,000

National-Level Awards

• First Prize: Rs 1,25,000

• Second Prize: Rs 1,00,000

Important Dates

• Last date for State-Level submissions: August 31, 2026

• Last date for National-Level submissions: September 30, 2026

How to apply

Interested candidates should visit the official CAG–ICSSR website, carefully read the competition guidelines, prepare their research article on the prescribed theme and submit the final paper online in PDF format before the respective deadline.

The competition provides a valuable platform for students to contribute meaningful research on issues of national importance while gaining academic recognition and competing for attractive cash awards.