The fourth edition of the National Inter College Crossword Contest (NICE) 2025, India’s most awaited crossword championship for college students, has been officially announced. Organised collaboratively by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), IIM Mumbai, IIT Delhi and Extra-C, NICE 2025 promises an intellectually charged journey into the world of words, wit and lateral thinking.
NICE 2025 is open to all bona fide students from recognized colleges and universities across India. The contest, which has grown in stature and reach over the years, offers a national platform to showcase linguistic dexterity, quick reasoning and a love for puzzles.
Freshers who have appeared for their Class 12 board examinations this year and are awaiting college admissions are also eligible to apply. The competition is structured in multiple phases which includes Online Phase where the Contest will begin with an online Practice Round to familiarise participants with clue formats.
The stage II which is also Zonal Rounds (Offline) will see top 50 participants from each of the five zones—North, South, East, West and Northeast—will qualify for the Zonal Finals, which will be held offline. These participants can compete individually or form teams of two. Each college may have up to five teams. Top three teams from each zone will proceed to the National Finals. Wildcard entries may also be considered from city/institutional contests or on merit.
While Stage III which is the National Grand Finale (Offline) will feature written prelims, Extra-C rounds, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the Grand Finale. Winners of the contest will receive a cash prize of `25,000, while the first runner-ups and second runner-ups will bag a cash prize of ` 20,000 and `15,000 respectively. All finalists and top performers across various rounds will be awarded appropriate recognition.
“NICE 2025 is more than a contest—it’s a celebration of sharp minds, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity. With lakhs of students having participated in past editions, the contest continues to build a strong crossword culture in Indian campuses,” said Amitabh Ranjan COO, Extra-C, Patna.
