IIT Gandhinagar Quiz Tests Students' Intelligence Beyond Class 12

Can students from one of India's premier engineering institutes solve puzzles that challenge even basic mathematical assumptions? Students at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar (IITGN) recently faced this unusual challenge through an unconventional quiz designed to test their reasoning rather than their academic knowledge.

Titled Kya Aap Barhvi Paas Se Tez Hai?, the competition focused on the ability to think differently, question assumptions and approach familiar problems from new perspectives. Its name, which translates to 'Are You Smarter Than a Class 12 Student?', draws inspiration from the television quiz show Kya Aap Paanchvi Pass Se Tez Hai?, hosted by Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan in 2008.

The ninth edition of the competition was organised by IIT Gandhinagar's Student Academic Council (SAC). It featured questions involving mathematical puzzles, logical reasoning and everyday scientific observations.

Among the challenges presented to participants were predicting the outcome of dropping a tennis ball over a basketball, solving the famous 100-door puzzle and identifying patterns in numerical sequences without relying on conventional mathematical formulas.

IITGN Quiz Encourages Students to Think Beyond Competitive Exams

The competition was conducted in two stages. The preliminary online round took place on October 10 and was open to the institute's entire student community. The final round was held on campus on October 13, bringing together 32 participants divided into eight teams of four.

Students from all four years of the BTech programme participated, alongside first-year MSc Cognitive Science students.

The initiative was originally launched in 2016 by Harsh Gupta, who was then pursuing BTech at IITGN and serving as the Academic Secretary of the Student Academic Council.

The competition was designed to offer students a break from the conventional examination-oriented approach to learning. Students preparing for competitive examinations such as the Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) often develop strong analytical abilities, speed and accuracy. However, the quiz encouraged them to explore situations where familiar methods might not necessarily lead to the correct answer.

Akshat Shah, a second-year BTech student of Electrical Engineering and a member of SAC, said the competition offered a different learning experience from conventional academic exercises.

He explained that the emphasis was not on solving numerical problems but on asking meaningful questions, trusting one's reasoning and being prepared to reconsider an answer.

Quiz Promotes Curiosity and Independent Thinking

The organisers said the broader objective was to develop a learning environment where intellectual curiosity and academic rigour could coexist.

Aditya Prachand, Academic Secretary of SAC and one of the event organisers, said the initiative aimed to encourage students to approach challenges differently and rediscover the enjoyment of learning through curiosity rather than academic pressure.

The experience also highlighted how preconceived ideas can sometimes prevent people from arriving at the correct solution.

Nupoor Assudani, a fourth-year BTech student from the Computer Science and Engineering department, recalled a question involving a numerical sequence. Initially, she attempted to identify a mathematical formula behind the numbers. However, the solution depended on the arrangement of the digits rather than a conventional mathematical pattern.

She said the question encouraged her to reconsider her assumptions and move beyond familiar problem-solving techniques.

IIT Gandhinagar Dean Highlights Importance of Student-Led Activities

Commenting on the importance of such initiatives, IITGN Dean of Academics Professor Bhaskar Datta said student-led intellectual activities complement classroom teaching and formal assessments.

According to him, these competitions provide opportunities for students to take responsibility for their learning, develop critical-thinking abilities, ask questions and exchange ideas with their peers.

He also highlighted the role of collaborative activities in promoting curiosity and learning beyond regular classroom interactions.

IITGN Quiz 2026: Winners and Runners-Up

The final competition concluded with the announcement of three winning teams.

First position: Team ezpz, comprising final-year BTech students.

Second position: Team Girl Gang, representing the third year.

Third position: Hasan & Co., comprising final-year students.

Although the competition did not contribute to students' academic grades, it offered an opportunity to develop an important skill: questioning whether an assumed approach is actually the right way to solve a problem.

The event reinforced the idea that education is not limited to memorising concepts or finding quick answers. The ability to challenge assumptions, explore alternative approaches and ask the right questions is equally important, particularly for students preparing for careers in engineering and research.